Technology
Warning over dangerous Instagram DM scam that hacks your account in seconds
INSTAGRAM has warned users to watch out for scammers contacting them via direct message and pretending to be from the company.
It said some people have received a fake message claiming to be from Instagram’s “Copyright Help Center”.
Keep your account safe
You may get emails that LOOK like they’re from Instagram, but they’re not
Avoid hacks and phishing by:
Checking your settings to confirm we contacted you. Nothing there? Then it’s not from us.
— Instagram (@instagram) March 29, 2021
Instagram tweeted: “Keep your account safe.
“You may get emails that LOOK like they’re from Instagram, but they’re not.
“Avoid hacks and phishing by: Checking your settings to confirm we contacted you. Nothing there? Then it’s not from us.
It also told users to turn on two-factor authentication.
The scam message pretends to be from Instagram[/caption]
The fake messages reportedly tell users that one of their posts has violated a “copyright violation”.
The DM says the account will be deleted if a user doesn’t “provide feedback” and click on a link at the bottom of the message.
The link does not lead to a Facebook-affiliated website and may be used to steal your details.
Instagram’s tweet also featured a video which urged people not to click the suspicious link.
Instagram will never contact you via direct messages.
To see if you’ve got an official message from Instagram just go to the app and open your Settings.
Then click “Privacy” and then “Emails from Instagram”.
How to turn on Two-Factor Authentication on Instagram
Just follow these steps…
Open your Instagram Settings and go to “Privacy”.
Then click “Two-Factor Authentication”.
The select “Get Started”.
Here you can choose between using an authentication app or getting a code in a text message every time you login.
Take a screenshot of the backup codes you’re sent incase you lose access to your phone or your two-factor authentication method.
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In other news, iPhone owners are being urged to update their mobiles immediately in order to protect them from a critical security bug.
Samsung has launched a “try before you buy” scheme for its most expensive mobiles to date.
And, Apple is rumoured to be working on a foldable phone to rival Samsung.
Have you received a suspicious Instagram DM? Let us know in the comments…
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