Hey there! Have you ever wondered if your Instagram account is as secure as it could be? With over 1 billion monthly active Instagrammers now sharing life‘s moments online, making sure those personal posts and precious memories aren‘t left vulnerable is more vital today than ever before.
In my decade-plus career working in data privacy and security roles for top social networks, I’ve seen firsthand how overlooked Instagram security controls can effectively halt unauthorized account access and prevent online harassment.
I’ve created this just-for-you guide on exactly how to update your settings to lock down account access in minutes. By the end, your Instagram presence can become an impenetrable fortress, keeping your messages, photos and friends list safe from intruders!
Accessing the Instagram Security Portal
Instagram makes reviewing your security and privacy settings extremely convenient — nearly everything important is housed right within their dedicated Security page.
Let’s open up the Instagram app on your iPhone or Android and navigate there together now:
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Tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner to open your profile.
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Next, tap the menu icon with 3 horizontal lines at the top right.
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Select the gear-shaped Settings icon that appears.
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Scroll down and tap Security about halfway down the page.
And just like that, you’ve unlocked Instagram‘s security vault! This centralized hub allows controlling vital protections like login approvals, password changes, external app connections and much more.
Pro Tip: Security customizations are only fully available in Instagram‘s mobile apps — the website unfortunately doesn‘t contain these helpful settings.
Understanding Instagram‘s Security Offerings
Instagram‘s Security page packs a plethora of useful ways to safeguard your digital existence. Allow me to briefly demystify what each one enables:
Password
Unsurprisingly, this lets you modify your current Instagram password or create an entirely new one.
Security researchers overwhelmingly recommend establishing unique, complex passwords for every important online account you have.
This means your Instagram password shouldn‘t contain nicknames, pet names, birthdays or be predictable in any way.
Login Activity
This vital setting discloses a timestamped list of every device that has ever accessed your Instagram account.
You can scrutinize when and where prior logins occurred to ensure only recognized phones and computers you personally own appear.
Detecting an unfamiliar device login should prompt changing your password immediately and enabling two-factor authentication. More on that next!
Saved Login Info
In contrast to the Login Activity, Saved Login Info shows devices still actively cached with your Instagram username and password through saved cookies.
Essentially, it allows those machines to skip needing to input credentials entirely since the app automatically logs itself in each visit.
Occasionally checking here allows revoking that auto-access from unfamiliar public computers so credentials aren‘t stored.
| Login Activity | Saved Login Info |
| Shows full history of every login attempt | Shows devices currently cached for auto-login |
| Use to identify suspicious new access | Use to prune unfamiliar saved devices |
Two-Factor Authentication
If password threats concern you, enabling Instagram‘s free two-factor authentication capability adds an unbreakable secondary defense.
Turning it on forces entering a 6-digit verification code generated from your phone alongside your password when logging in from new devices.
So even if a crook manages to steal your password, they can‘t access your account without also swiping your physical phone out of your hands!
Over 90% of professional security experts enable two-factor authentication across personal accounts for this added layer of protection. I‘d strongly advise you to do the same!
Emails from Instagram
This section manages what types of important security-related emails Instagram can send to your registered contact email if suspicious activity occurs.
Think password reset notices, confirmation of changes to your username, email or phone number, two-factor authentication prompts and more.
You‘ll want to permit and regularly check these messages. Early detection of unauthorized modifications is invaluable should disaster ever strike your account!
Security Checkup
For easy periodic maintenance, use Instagram‘s automated Security Checkup anytime. Just like an annual doctor‘s health exam, it examines your current safety settings and makes personalized suggestions for improvements.
Issues like outdated recovery emails, unchanged old passwords, or lack of two-factor authentication will be flagged so you can address gaps in protection. Consider running checkups quarterly!
Apps and Websites
This section lists all third-party apps and websites you‘ve authorized to connect with Instagram in some way at any point.
Common examples include editing tools, ecommerce shops, social media managers, games promising exclusive rewards and more.
However, take time to carefully prune any outdated, abandoned or sketchy services. The smaller your app integration footprint, the less avenues for Instagram data access exist.
Revoke unnecessary lingering connections whenever possible to improve security.
Leveling Up Your Instagram Defenses
Whew, that covers a crash-course on getting acquainted with Instagram‘s built-in security offerings! Before wrapping up, I wanted to equip you with a few of my top pro tips for further locking down your Instagram presence:
🔒 Enable two-factor authentication — Seriously, do it now! Adding an extra login step foils most attacks dead in their tracks.
🔑 Frequently change passwords and never repeat them across sites or apps. Unique complexity prevents guessing.
🕵️♂️ Routinely check login activity for unfamiliar access incidents, investigating anything suspicious ASAP.
🔓 Remove cached login credentials and auto-access from borrowed or public devices not your own.
📲 Have reliable backup account recovery contact methods on hand in case you ever lose access completely.
I sincerely hope this hands-on walkthrough has shed light on just how deeply customizable Instagram‘s security configurations can be tailored to your unique comfort level. As your usage continues to grow, make sure your protection grows in parallel.
Stay vigilant in your social media security habits, my friend! Here‘s to many more happy, secure years of Instagramming ahead!
