If you use Instagram daily, you might need some Instagram safety tips and tricks to counter various Instagram threats and attacks. Well measuring the risks, we have shared useful tips and tricks regarding Instagram safety in this article.
Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites globally, first launched in 2010 to share square images with close friends. In 2012 Instagram was officially owned by Meta ( Previously Facebook). With its trends and users, Instagram has grown into a massive community in the last 20 years. Nowadays, it’s strange to encounter someone who hasn’t heard of Instagram or hasn’t created an account on Instagram these days.
Since the app has a lot of users, the app’s developers are frequently updating its features to enhance it to deliver the best user experience. However, whenever it refers to a satisfying user experience, the concern is about Instagram’s online safety regarding account privacy, including third-party apps or hacking of Instagram passwords.
So, what are the possible threats of Instagram, and how to maintain safety on Instagram? Let’s check out some tips and tricks on Instagram safety.
Possible threats on Instagram
Account hacking
Hacking is, without a doubt, the first and most serious threat while using Instagram. Cracking the security on Instagram is quite simple, using techniques like phishing or installing third-party apps.
Hackers who get access to your account might inappropriately manipulate your photo and make it public. Moreover, they could start sending unwise and unpleasant texts from your account to others, possibly ruining your public image.
Threats from Anonymous Users
If you do not make your Instagram account private, the danger from anonymous individuals might increase. The reason for this is that your Instagram posts will be visible to users even if they are not following you. In addition, much like posts, the ability to chat and comment on the user’s photo will be accessible.
There is a high risk that any stranger may comment on your photo, and the comment may be unpleasant in some way. Strangers might also view and reply to stories under non-private accounts, sending abusive texts.
Data breaching
Almost every social media network, including Instagram, is a danger of a data leak, risking users’ online safety. On the other hand, Instagram is operated by Facebook, which already has a bad impression when it comes to user data protection.
Even though the security on Instagram is quite good, it’s also necessary to be aware that there is a risk that your sensitive data might be leaked at any moment. Furthermore, if your sensitive or confidential data gets into the wrong hands, it may be utilized for illegal purposes, possibly affecting your future.
Finstas: Fake accounts
Finstas are fake Insta accounts that enable their users to disclose personal information with their friends. Many teenagers use Finstas to express and share problems that are troubling them, and it also provides a platform for youngsters to be their genuine being themselves. Yet, finstas, like every other social networking platform, has its dangers on Instagram, wrecking its safety.
Cyberbullying grows through Finstas. When users receive a request from a finsta, there is hardly any information available to identify the account’s real user. The privacy of finstas allows bullies to harass users, especially children, without fear of risks. Finstas hardly allows location sharing, making it difficult for adults to identify this sort of private accounts. Because of these reasons, there is a risk of cyberbullying and offensive comments.
7 Tips and tricks for Instagram safety
Instagram features a variety of privacy options, ranging from two-factor authentication to set up private accounts. Begin with these top seven tips.
Set private accounts
Keeping your account private is the easiest way to secure your identity, and it implies that no one will be able to view your photographs or stories until you approve them as followers.
When you make your account private, users can only see your name and profile picture. They can request to follow you, which you must approve before viewing your posts, comments, and stories.
To make your account private, follow these steps:
- From the top-right corner of Instagram with a three-dot menu, go to the Settings menu.
- Then, under “Privacy“> “Account Privacy,” enable the “Private Account” option.
Enable two-factor authentication
Another safety feature provided by Instagram for users is two-factor authentication, which ensures that no one can access their account without authorization. This feature enabled on your Instagram account prevents hackers from gaining access to your account even if your login details are stolen. The Instagram account with two-factor authentication is accessed by entering a code received by SMS on your mobile phone.
To active the two-factor authentication, follow these steps:
- From the top-right corner of Instagram with a three-dot menu, go to the Settings menu.
- Under “Security“> “Two-Factor Authentication,” and follow the steps.
Block and filter comments
Undesirable comments on Instagram posts are made by the presence of various users at times. To keep your post free of such comments, you could filter off the post comments on Instagram or disable commenting on particular posts. By default, inappropriate, rude, or abusive comments are removed from posts, comments and stories.
To filter and block comments on Instagram, follow these steps:
- From the top-right corner of Instagram with a three-dot menu, go to the Settings menu.
- Under “Privacy,” select “Hidden words” to manage offensive words.
- Select “Comments” to block comments from selected users.
Turn off activity status
You can disable the activity status on Instagram if you don’t want others to see it when you are online. Also, note that if you disable Instagram activity, you cannot see when other people are online.
To turn off the activity status, follow these steps :
- Go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Activity Status”.
- Toggle the “Show Activity status” to off.
Protect your stories
You can control who views your stories and protect them from being shared further on Instagram. Also, you can pick which of your close friends you want to see your story by using the “Close friends” feature. You can also prevent sharing your stories to Facebook and disabling story replies from specific followers as additional features.
To protect your stories, follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Story”.
- To hide your story, select the “Hide story from” option.
- To enable close friends to see your story, select the “Close friends” option.
- In order to manage message replies, select the “Allow message replies” option.
- To disable sharing your stories to Facebook, toggle the “Share your story to Facebook” option to off.
Manage tagged post
Instagram includes a specific section for tagged images and videos, which will be instantly posted to your profile when someone tags you.
Any user could tag you in a picture, which can be seen in your profile. However, you can manage the tagged post activity on Instagram. Instagram allows you to choose pictures from the tagged post or enable permission to display the tagged picture in your profile.
To manage the tagged post, follow these steps:
- Go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Posts”.
- From the “Allow tags from” option, select the preferred tagging option.
- Now select “Manually approve tags” and turn tag review to ON.
Block, restrict, and report accounts
Instagram includes features where users can block, restrict or report accounts by tapping on the person icon of their profile.
When you block someone on Instagram, the blocked person cannot view your posts or stories, even if your account is switched to public. They will be unable to reach you or leave comments on your posts and stories.
To block someone on Instagram:
- Go to the User Profile to block > top-right corner > click the dots.
- Select “Block” from the pop-up menu > Click “Block” again to confirm the action > Press “Dismiss” to close the action.
With the restrict feature, users can have additional control over who could comment on their posts and what comments their followers can see, allowing them to avoid unwanted interactions without alerting others to the limitations they’ve set.
To restrict someone on Instagram:
- Go to the User Profile to restrict > top-right corner > click the dots.
- Select “Restrict” from the pop-up menu > Click “Restrict” again to confirm the action > Press “Dismiss” to close the action.
You may also report any Instagram post or account for several issues. However, for Instagram to take any action on the post, the content should violate the Community Guidelines or Terms of Use of Instagram.
To report post on Instagram:
- Touch the three dots icon of the post you want to report > Select “Report.”
- Complete the instructions to report successfully.
To report an Instagram user account:
- Search the User Profile to be reported.
- Select “Report” from the three dots symbol in the top-right corner of the user profile.
- Complete the instructions to report successfully.
Final words
Instagram offers a smooth method to share filtered photos of life’s joys, but it has drawn its fair share of trolls like everything on the internet. Online stalkers, hackers, and scammers are everywhere, but don’t let that prevent you from using Instagram. Not everybody needs to be told everything about you and personal info, and that is why we should utilize Instagram’s privacy features to ensure our safety.
