With cyber-crimes and hacking incidents on the rise more than ever before, Instagram is rolling out a new security check in the app, which aims to keep users’ Instagram accounts safe and secure. The Facebook-owned social media app will prompt users with previously compromised accounts to update their profile info and settings.
Instagram users were recently exposed to a text scam that put their accounts at risk in the hands of hackers. In April this year, a Facebook data hack even put CEO Mark Zukerberg into a severe cyber threat. In a similar series of events, Twitter was also left to deal with a massive Bitcoin scam last year, where few users had their private messages accessed.
Today, the social media giant announced a security checkup, aiming towards users whose connected email address or phone number was changed recently, resulting from potential hack rather than their actions.
The new Security Checkup feature will guide users through various security steps, including confirming accounts that share login information, reviewing profile information and login activity, and keeping up-to-date recovery contact information. Once the user completes the Security Checkup procedures, the account will be much safer and more protected against future cyber attacks.
Stay Safe
A recent wave of password reset emails has made its way into people’s DMs. These messages claim to be directly from Instagram to get people to share their passwords. Instagram issued a reminder stating that if any user receives direct messages claiming to be from Instagram, it is most likely not them.
“Instagram will never send you a DM: Over the past few months, we’ve seen a rise in malicious accounts DMing people to try and access sensitive information like account passwords. They may tell you that your account is at risk of being banned, that you are violating our policies around intellectual property, or that your photos are being shared elsewhere. These messages are often scams and violate our policies.”
Instead, Instagram says that they will do it via Email if they ever want to reach you. To review authentic communication from Instagram, one can go to the ‘Emails from Instagram’ tabs in their settings.
Hacks and scams are common nowadays, and it is essential to keep your data safe online. One should refrain from putting up useful or personal information on the web as much as one could. Fortunately, social media apps are adding security features to make the user experience more secure.