We all know every day hackers invite new methods to bypass security systems of their targets. It's same scenario with Instagram. No matter how hard their technicians work to make their platform bulletproof to hacking attacks, hackers make their ways evolve in same time. After every few weeks/months we can read in news how several thousands of Instagram accounts get hacked.
But what methods hackers use exactly? Is it really possible to fully protect yourself from them?
One of Security Equifax's journalist took this case to investigate most common ways hackers use to break inside peoples Instagram accounts. He managed to find one of these hackers on black-hat forums and speak with him privately on Skype.
According to his research, these are most used ways hackers use nowadays to crack into someones Instagram account(s):
- Bruteforce Method
An old-school hacking method enhanced by todays standards. This method requires use of special developed software which can crack Instagram login page with thousands of login attempts per minute. Hackers developed a most famous tool of this nature called "InstaRipper".
- How to Protect Yourself from this one?
Use really strong complex password for your account, made of Uppercase + lowercase letters + numbers + special characters. Hard to remember and long at least 10 characters.
- Phishing Method
Hackers make fake Instagram login page which looks exactly like official real Instagram's one and after they try to trick a victim to fail to login trough their site.
- How to Protect Yourself from this one?
Just open your eyes and mind wide each time when you click on link inside your email/inbox which leads to login page. URL address should be official Instagram's one: instagram.com <-- keep an eye everything is exactly same! Because for example "instagrram.com" (two "r"wink is different domain everyone can register and use as their fake site!
- Use of a Keylogger
Keylogger is a spying type of software which monitors targets key strokes and sends them to admin's email address or FTP server.
How hackers infects target with a keylogger?
They try to manipulate/trick a victim their keylogger is something else, like an mp3 file or an image file or etc. Not so skilled computer users will believe a hacker and after they execute stated file a keylogger will silently be installed in their PC and spy their activity.
- How to Protect Yourself from this one?
Having a good antivirus software and keeping it always updated will protect you from keyloggers in 95% cases because keyloggers are detected as a "spyware" or "trojan" by antivirus tools.
Only a rare, customized keyloggers made by really pro hackers can't be detected by antivirus. But these are very expensive and rare to find. I don't believe usual people are on target by hacker who has this type of keylogger in their arsenal.
Read about each method more in detail at SecurityEquifax's post.
Source: https://securityequifax2017.com/how-to-hack-instagram-password-tutorial/