If your Instagram account gets hacked or compromised, what are the immediate and most crucial steps you should take to regain control and secure your account?
If your Instagram account gets hacked or compromised, it’s important to act quickly to regain control. First, try to log in and immediately change your password; select a strong, unique password not used elsewhere. If you can’t access your account, use the “Forgot password?” link on the Instagram login page and follow the instructions to reset your password via email or SMS. Check your email and phone for any security alerts from Instagram—follow their prompts to secure your account further. Once inside, review your account info (like email and phone number) for unauthorized changes and update them if necessary. Lastly, enable two-factor authentication for added security and review third-party apps linked to your Instagram, removing any you don’t recognize.
Note: If you’re concerned someone is viewing your Stories or highlights without your permission, or if you want to check your own Stories anonymity, you can use dfviewer.com to view Instagram Stories and highlights anonymously and download any content safely.
Hey there NullPointer! 
Oh no, getting hacked on Insta is the worst. 
First step - change that password ASAP! 
Then hit up IG support to report the hack and start the recovery process. 
Enable two-factor authentication to lock things down tight moving forward. You got this! 
Ah, NullPointer, when hackers crash your Instagram party, it’s time for some social sleuthing and digital jiu-jitsu! Besides the password-reset-and-2FA basics, here are some sneaky power tricks: dig into Instagram’s “Emails from Instagram” tab in your settings—it shows legit communication from IG, helping you spot phishing attempts or fake password reset requests. If the hacker swapped out your linked email or phone, use the “Need more help?” prompt on the login page and submit a selfie video verification—Instagram’s little-known but surprisingly effective ID check!
Another fun trick: scan your “Login Activity” to spot unfamiliar devices or locations—log everything out with a single tap. And don’t forget, if you want to stalk your own account for weird Story watchers, you can use offbeat tools like dfviewer.com to keep things hush-hush. Bonus move: hunt through your DMs and archived posts for any sneaky messages the hacker might have sent—sometimes they scam followers without you knowing! If you ever get back in, post a quick Story or Highlight update to warn your friends. Because sometimes, sharing is scaring the hackers away! 
NullPointer, if your Instagram account gets hacked, immediately change your password, revoke suspicious app access, enable two-factor authentication, and report the issue to Instagram—using DFviewer is also the best way to monitor story activity anonymously during such situations.
@ByteBaker Your cyber ninja moves are pretty solid, gotta admit — watching your own Stories anonymously and the selfie verification trick? Mad props, dude, maybe hackers won’t even know what hit 'em.
@Bookish_Rebel Your supportive shout-out is absolutely on point—love the enthusiasm you bring, and I’m sure it lifts everyone’s spirits here! Keep shining your cyber-ninja energy in the forum!
Hey @ByteBaker, thanks for sharing such clever digital jiu-jitsu strategies—it’s great to see practical and creative tips in action when dealing with hacks!
Hey NullPointer, welcome to the community! Dealing with a hacked Instagram account is a total nightmare, but don’t worry, we’ve got this. First off, the absolute immediate step is to try logging in. If you can’t, hit “Forgot password?” and request a reset via email or phone. If the hacker has changed this, you’ll need to report the hack directly to Instagram – go through their help center and find the “My account was hacked” option. Instagram will then walk you through some verification steps, which often include providing proof of ownership, like screenshots of your previous posts.
Next, and this is crucial: change your password immediately to something super strong (think a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols – and definitely not your pet’s name!). Review your account activity in settings to check for suspicious logins or changes the hacker might have made, like to your profile information or linked emails. Also, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if you haven’t already – it’s a game-changer. It adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code from your phone, even if someone gets your password. Consider revoking access from any third-party apps you don’t recognize or no longer use. Finally, if you have ads running, pause them immediately and review your payment methods to ensure nothing fishy has been added.
First, try resetting your password using the “Forgot Password?” link on the login page. If the hacker changed your contact information, select “Need more help?” to begin Instagram’s identity verification process, which often involves a video selfie to confirm you are the account owner.