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Lock Down Your Instagram: A Guide to Keeping Creepers and Hackers at Bay

5 min. readlast update: 09.30.2024

Instagram is a blast, right? From sharing epic travel pics to keeping up with your favorite influencers, it’s the social playground we all love. But with all that fun comes a bit of responsibility—like making sure your account isn’t a hacker’s next target or a goldmine of personal data for big corporations. Don’t worry! Here’s your no-nonsense guide to boosting your Instagram security, no matter whether you're rocking an iPhone or an Android.

General Tips for Securing Your Instagram Account

Before we dive into device-specific steps, let’s cover some universal security measures that everyone should follow:

1. Set a Strong Password

Your password is your account's gatekeeper. If it's something like “password123” or “ilovedogs,” it’s time for a change. Here’s how to make sure it’s strong and secure:

  • Length and Complexity: Aim for at least 12 characters—ideally between 12 and 20. Mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (like @, $, &).
  • Avoid Common Phrases: Steer clear of easily guessable words or phrases such as your name or “password.”
  • Unique Password: Use a unique password for Instagram, and avoid reusing passwords from other accounts.

How to Change Your Password on Instagram:

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
  3. Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
  4. Select Settings.
  5. Tap Security.
  6. Tap Password.
  7. Enter your current password, then your new password twice.
  8. Tap Save or Done.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Even if someone guesses your password, they won’t get far with 2FA. This adds an extra step where Instagram sends a one-time code to your phone every time you log in. Think of it as a bouncer for your account.

How to Set Up 2FA on Instagram:

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Tap your profile icon and the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Tap Security.
  5. Tap Two-Factor Authentication.
  6. Tap Get Started.
  7. Choose your preferred method:
    • Text Message: Instagram will send a code to your phone number. Tap Text Message and follow the prompts to enter your phone number and the code you receive.
    • Authentication App: If you prefer using an app like Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile, tap Authentication App. Follow the prompts to link your Instagram account to the app.
  8. Save your backup codes for emergencies.

3. Limit Commenting and Hide Offensive Content

Spammers and trolls—nobody wants them in their feed. You can limit who can comment on your posts and hide offensive content to keep your Instagram experience positive.

How to Limit Commenting on Instagram:

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Tap your profile icon and the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Tap Privacy.
  5. Tap Comments.
  6. Under Allow Comments From, choose:
    • Everyone
    • People You Follow
    • Your Followers
    • People You Follow and Your Followers
  7. To block specific people from commenting, tap Block Comments From, enter their name, and tap Block.

How to Hide Offensive Comments and Messages:

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Tap your profile icon and the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right corner.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Tap Privacy.
  5. Tap Hidden Words.
  6. Toggle on Hide Comments to filter out offensive comments automatically.
  7. Toggle on Advanced Comment Filtering for more robust filtering.
  8. Add custom words, phrases, or emojis you want to be blocked.

4. Block Unwanted Users

If someone’s being a pain, block them. They won’t be able to see your profile, comment on your posts, or slide into your DMs. And don’t worry—they won’t get a notification that you blocked them. It’s the ultimate ghost move.

How to Block Someone on Instagram:

  1. Open the Instagram app.
  2. Go to the profile of the person you want to block.
  3. Tap the three dots (...) in the top right corner of their profile.
  4. Tap Block.
  5. Confirm by selecting Block again. You can choose to block just that account or other accounts they might create in the future.

iPhone & Android: Keep Your Insta in the Safe Zone

Let’s lock down your Instagram on both iPhone and Android devices.

1. Keep Instagram Out of Your Contacts

Instagram likes to snoop through your contacts to suggest friends and target ads. If that creeps you out, you can revoke its access in your phone’s settings.

On iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Instagram.
  3. Toggle off the Contacts option.

On Android:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Apps & notifications (or just Apps).
  3. Scroll down and tap on Instagram.
  4. Tap Permissions.
  5. Tap Contacts and select Deny.

2. Stop Instagram from Tracking Your Location

Instagram tracks your location for geotags, ads, and suggestions. If you’d rather not share your whereabouts, you can stop Instagram from accessing your GPS data.

On iPhone:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap Privacy.
  3. Tap Location Services.
  4. Scroll down and tap Instagram.
  5. Select Never.

On Android:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Apps & notifications (or simply Apps).
  3. Scroll down and tap on Instagram.
  4. Tap Permissions.
  5. Tap Location and select Deny.

These steps will help you keep Instagram from knowing your every move, though you won’t be able to add locations to your posts anymore.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re posting selfies, sunsets, or cat videos, securing your Instagram account is crucial. By following these steps, you can ensure your digital playground stays safe from hackers, trolls, and unwanted eyes. Your Instagram is yours—so keep it that way!

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