The Instagram platform provides an easy way to share photos with friends, family, and the rest of the world, but at the same time this exposure may cause you to be exposed to security and privacy risks, as you often do not know most of the people who follow you, and Instagram users are often subjected to pressure that includes abuse by others in comments on their photos, which pushes them to delete their account, whether permanently or temporarily.
Now you don’t have to do that as it’s easy to protect your privacy while getting the most out of what Instagram has to offer you.
Here are 5 ways to keep your Instagram account safe and private:
1- Convert your account to a private account
Once you convert your Instagram account from public to private it will allow you to share your photos with a select group of people while keeping them hidden from anyone else, this way you will be able to control who can follow you, see your stories, or posts, and only people close to you will be aware of your activity on the account.
You can convert your account to a private account through the app, or the Instagram website:
First through the mobile app:
- Go to your account
- Open the Settings menu
- Click on the Privacy and Security option
- Scroll down to the Private Account option, and activate it by tapping the slider next to it
Second, through the web:
- Go to your account by clicking on the “Person” icon in the top right corner
- Press the gear icon next to your name
- Tap on the Privacy & Security option
- Under the Account privacy section, click the check box next to a private account
Once these steps are completed, only existing followers will be able to see your posts, anyone else will have to send you a follow-up request first to be able to see the content you post on your account, and existing followers will not be affected by converting your account to a private account.
2- Block annoying followers.
If one of your followers is causing you inconvenience, you can also prevent them from seeing your posts, and don’t worry your followers won’t be notified that you’ve blocked them.
Through the mobile app:
- Tap the Followers list
- Find the follower you want to block – if you’re using iOS, tap the three horizontal dots next to the name, and if you’re using Android, tap on the three vertical dots – then choose Remove
Through the web:
- Go to your account by clicking on the “Person” icon in the top right corner
- Tap the Followers list.
- Find the follower you want to block.
- Open this person’s account, tap the three horizontal dots to the right of their name, and then select Block this user
3- Enable the 2FA feature
The two-factor authentication feature helps you secure your account from hacking, as you will be sent a text message on your phone with a code that needs to be entered every time you log into your account, so no one else will be able to use your account.
Through the mobile app:
- Go to your account.
- Open the Settings menu.
- Tap on the Privacy and Security option.
- Scroll down until you reach the Two-Factor authentication option. Authentication
- Enable text message authentication by pressing the slider next to the Text Message option
- But if you prefer instead to use an authentication app such as Google Authenticator, switch to the Authentication App option.
Through the web:
- Head to your account and tap the gear icon next to your name.
- Tap on the Privacy & Security option.
- Under the two-factor authentication option, click on the Edit two-factor authentication setting.
- Select a text message option, a pop-up window will appear in which you click on the Turn On option
4- Prevent third-party apps from obtaining your data.
There are a lot of third-party apps that ask you to access your Instagram account data, such as apps that schedule posting on your account, so before agreeing to allow an app to access your data, keep in mind that the more companies have private information about you, the more likely it is that the information will be misused or stolen. Most importantly, make sure you grant access to your account to the apps that really need it, not to any app that asks for it.
To remove apps that already have access to your account data, you must use the web interface, as you can’t do so through the Phone app.
- Log in to Instagram through any browser on your phone or computer, and tap the person icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Tap the gear icon next to your name.
- Tap the Authorized Apps option, you’ll see a list of apps that are authorized to access your account.
- Tap the Revoke Access option next to any app you want to remove, then confirm it by pressing YES.
5- Check if someone has hacked your Instagram account.
Do you have a suspicion that someone has hacked your account? You can verify this by viewing your previous account activity including logins and logouts, password changes, and more.
Using the Phone app:
- Go to the Settings menu
- Click on the Privacy and Security option
- Click on the Access Data option
Through the web:
- Press the gear icon to access the settings menu.
- Tap on the Privacy & Security option.
- Then click on the View Account Data option
You’ll see an information page with a lot of data about how your account is used, you can click any category to get more information, such as account privacy changes, logins, and logouts, hashtags you track, etc.
Specially examine account privacy changes, password changes, logins and logouts, and Stories activity, and if you see anything unusual that could mean that someone else is using your account, change your password immediately to log anyone else out of the account.
FAQs:
How do I convert my Instagram account to a private setting?
You can convert your Instagram account to a private setting by following these steps:
- Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
- Tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
- Select “Settings” and then tap on “Privacy.”
- Under the “Account Privacy” section, toggle on the “Private Account” option.
Can I block followers on Instagram without them being notified?
Yes, you can block followers on Instagram without them being notified. Here’s how:
- Tap on your profile and go to your list of followers.
- Find the follower you want to block and tap on the three dots next to their name.
- Select “Block” to prevent them from seeing your posts.
What is two-factor authentication (2FA) and how do I enable it on Instagram?
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your Instagram account by requiring a verification code in addition to your password. To enable it:
- Go to your Instagram profile and tap on the menu icon.
- Select “Settings” and then tap on “Security.”
- Choose “Two-Factor Authentication” and follow the prompts to enable it.
How can I prevent third-party apps from accessing my Instagram data?
To prevent third-party apps from accessing your Instagram data:
- Log in to Instagram on a web browser.
- Go to your profile and click on the gear icon to access settings.
- Select “Authorized Apps” to see a list of apps with access to your account.
- Click on “Revoke Access” next to any app you want to remove.
How can I check if my Instagram account has been hacked?
You can check if your Instagram account has been hacked by reviewing your account activity, including logins, logouts, and password changes:
- Go to your profile and tap on the menu icon.
- Select “Settings” and then tap on “Security.”
- Choose “Access Data” to view your account activity and look for any suspicious behavior.
Conclusion
while Instagram offers a platform for sharing moments and connecting with others, it’s crucial to prioritize your security and privacy. By implementing these five strategies, you can effectively safeguard your Instagram account and enjoy a safer online experience.
