My Instagram account has been hacked!
It shouldn't have happened to me. I do all my own blogging and Instagram-ing, so it's not like my password is compromised, stored anywhere or easy to crack. My mistake is that I didn't have 2 step verification activated. If I did, this couldn't have happened. Please, if you're reading this, go and update your Instagram password. I would hate for anything like this to happen to you.
This morning, I received an email from Instagram advising me that my Instagram password had been changed. This worried me immediately as I knew I hadn't changed it. This is the email:
So I immediately clicked the link to 'reset my password here'. When I got on the Instagram platform it was obvious that whoever hacked my account had also deleted my email and my username. So technically, my hacked account didn't even exist. This loophole meant that I couldn't take back control of my account. It also makes the email above completely useless. Because if you have changed your password, you wouldn't need to reset your password and if someone has hacked you, you CAN'T change your password anyhow. So what's the point? This email link doesn't give you any special overriding powers at all.
I tried to log into my hackers username account, thaddeu_waltons2p, hoping that this email generated link would work just the once to seize back my account, but that was wishful thinking.
After 45 minutes of reading everything on the help and support section of Instagram, I filed a complaint that this hacker was impersonating me. Because he is. He hacked my account and changed my user name to his own and deleted my email. But my images are still there as is my name, image and details. As part of my report I had to take a photo of myself holding up an ID and send this to Instagram too. I was anxious but hopeful. Then this afternoon, I got this reply from Instagram:
Thanks for contacting us. It looks like you're having a
problem logging in. To get help with login issues or learn about what you can
do if you think that your account has been compromised, visit the Help Center: http://help.instagram.com/374546259294234/?ref=cr
So, it looks like someone devoted exactly 3 seconds to my filed impersonation complaint before binning it. I'd already read everything over in the help centre concerning 'compromised' accounts and they all advised the account user to LOGIN to their account and update the password. Something I can't do.
So, thaddeu_waltons2p hacked my account and is now impersonating me and I can't do anything about it. I tried to secure my original username "esther.aliu" and breathed a big sigh of relief that it's available. This is good news. The bad news is that this new "esther.aliu" account is empty. I've lost all my posts. I've lost all the wonderful and tangled connections I made over the years. I don't want to let my old account go. And I certainly don't want anyone to impersonate me. I'm just so annoyed.
And Instagram? After making me file a complaint, upload a picture of myself holding up ID and explaining everything in detail.. they just think I'm having 'trouble logging in.'
Dear Esther, this just sickens me. You have invested so much time and talent in your work and they basically sent you a form letter. If they had read the content of your complaint at all they would have known this was not a helpful response. Shame on them. They are not supporting the community responsible for their success.
ReplyDeleteWell I had no idea this was such an issue, but millions of people have been hacked so there's a flaw with the platform. I've been so annoyed looking for answers all day, it's such a waste of time.
DeleteEsther this makes me sad. Hopefully someone somewhere at IG will be able to help. Thanks for sharing, I just turned on two step. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a dreadful waste of time and energy zapper, I'm a 2 step verification convertee now! If I'd read this anywhere else, if I'd even known it was a potential issue, I would have gone 2 step to prevent this. I don't want it happening to anyone else.
DeleteSo Sorry Esther - I don't really use instagram, I have an account but never really go there. Now that i have read this, I think I should see how to delete it. Have enough trouble keeping my FB account secure. i really wish there was a way to convince these hackers that they could and would feel better if they used this knowledge for something good.
DeleteThis is exactly why I don't use Instagram. I had an issue and could not get any help in fixing it. My account might have been hacked, I don't know, but I couldn't log into my account. It was fairly new though so there was not much of mine on there, and I didn't have any friends there. I wound up asking them to close it down.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awful ordeal, Esther. Technology is so wonderful, until it isn't. I think it's shameful that Instagram isn't more helpful and supportive. A form letter! How awful. I hope that somehow it can be worked out so you can reclaim what's yours on Instagram.
ReplyDelete