This guide is for Instagram account owners trying to recover their own hacked account. If someone else’s account has been compromised, or you’re troubleshooting on behalf of a friend or client, the steps below still apply — but this page won’t help with anything outside legitimate account recovery.
Instagram is one of the most widely used social platforms in the world, which makes it a constant target for hackers. Whether you use it for personal connections, running a local Melbourne business page, or as a creative outlet, losing control of your account is stressful — and the longer it sits compromised, the more damage a hacker can do to your contacts, your reputation, or (if it’s a business account) your customers.
If your account is compromised, acting fast matters. Here’s exactly what to do.
If Your Instagram Account Has Been Hacked, Don’t Panic
Computer Cures helps Melbourne locals recover hacked accounts and — just as importantly — secure the device the breach started from. A hacked Instagram account is often a symptom of a bigger problem: reused passwords, malware, or a phishing email clicked on a computer or phone that also holds your banking, email, and other logins. Recovering the account is step one; making sure the device that let the hacker in isn’t still compromised is the part people skip.
Services We Offer
- Instagram Account Recovery
- Password Reset Assistance
- Two-Factor Authentication Setup
- Hack Prevention and Account Security
- Reporting Fraudulent Activity to Instagram
Device security check — if you’re not sure how the hacker got in, we can check your computer or phone for malware, keyloggers, or phishing residue that put your account at risk in the first place. See how our virus & malware removal works
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Signs That Your Instagram Account Has Been Hacked
Before taking action, confirm the account is actually compromised.
Unusual Activity on Your Account
Unfamiliar posts, comments, or direct messages you didn’t send usually mean someone else has access. Hackers often post spam, inappropriate content, or promote products without your knowledge.
Unrecognised Login Locations or Devices
Instagram’s Login Activity page (in account settings) shows every device and location that’s accessed your account. Logins you don’t recognise are a clear red flag — the same is true if a scammer has gained remote access to your computer itself.
Changed Login Credentials
If your password changes without your input, or you get an email about an email-address change you didn’t make, treat it as compromised immediately.
No Access to Your Account
Being logged out suddenly, with no way back in, usually means your credentials have already been changed by someone else.
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Steps to Take When Your Instagram Account Is Hacked
1. Try to Log In and Change Your Password
If you can still log in:
- Open Instagram and go to your Profile
- Tap the three lines (top right)
- Go to Settings → Security → Password
- Set a strong, unique password you haven’t used anywhere else
Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols — and don’t reuse a password from another account, since credential reuse is one of the most common ways accounts get hacked in the first place. A password manager makes this painless.
2. If You Can’t Log In — Reset Your Password
- Go to the Instagram login page
- Tap Forgot Password? or Trouble logging in?
- Provide the email, phone number, or username linked to the account
- Instagram sends a reset link via email or SMS
- Follow the link to set a new password
3. If Your Email Was Changed
Instagram emails your old address when the login email changes. If you still have access to it, use the “Revert this change” link to restore access. No access to the old email? See our guide on what to do if your email gets hacked — you’ll likely need to secure that first before Instagram will let you back in.
4. Check Your Email for Hacking Notifications
Got an email about a password or email change you didn’t make? Click “Revert this change” to reverse it. No email at all? Use the Instagram Help Centre’s “Need more help?” flow to report the compromised account directly.
Prevent Future Hacks
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) — ideally with an authenticator app rather than SMS
- Use a unique, strong password, ideally via a password manager
- Avoid clicking links in unsolicited DMs or scam emails claiming to be from Instagram
- Review connected third-party apps periodically and remove anything you don’t recognise
- If you’re not sure how you were compromised, get the device checked — a hacked Instagram account is sometimes the first visible warning sign of malware that’s after more than your social media
- Running a household with kids online too? Our family cybersecurity tips cover the basics for every device in the house
Want us to lock this down properly?
Book a device security check and we’ll set up 2FA, a password manager, and scan for anything left behind by the hacker — same-day appointments available across Melbourne.
What If Your Account Was Used for Spam or Fraud?
Let your followers know what happened, then report the activity through Instagram’s “Report a Problem” feature. Instagram will investigate and take action. If money, personal details, or other accounts were involved, our guide on how to recover from a data breach walks through the wider clean-up steps.
Related Guides
Instagram isn’t the only account worth securing. If you’ve had trouble elsewhere too:
Frequently Asked Questions
Signs that your Instagram account has been hacked include:
- Unfamiliar posts, comments, or messages sent from your account.
- A sudden change in your password or email address.
- An inability to log in to your account.
- Receiving notifications of activity you didn’t initiate (e.g., password changes or login attempts).
If your Instagram account is hacked, the first thing you should do is try to log in and change your password. If you can’t log in, use Instagram’s password recovery process or go through the “Need More Help?” option to recover your account.
Yes, Instagram will send an email to your old address if the hacker changes the email. Click on the “Revert this change” link in the email to restore your account. If you no longer have access to the old email, follow Instagram’s account recovery steps to regain access.
To prevent future hacks, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), choose a strong and unique password, avoid suspicious links, and regularly review your account’s login activity and connected third-party apps.
If your Instagram account was used for fraudulent activity or spam, inform your followers about the situation. Report the fraudulent activity to Instagram through their “Report a Problem” feature, and Instagram will review the situation and take appropriate action.
Still worried something's wrong with your device?
If your Instagram was hacked from a computer or phone that also has your email, banking, or business logins on it, get it checked. Call Computer Cures or book a security check online — most Melbourne appointments available same-day.
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