How to Fix "Your Account Was Compromised" on Instagram: A Detailed Guide

Seeing the dreaded "Your Account Was Compromised" error when trying to access your Instagram account can send anyone into a panic. As a long-time Instagram power user and self-proclaimed social media geek, I know first-hand how stressful it can be to lose access to your account.

The good news? In most cases, you can regain access to your compromised Instagram account by resetting your password. As long as you take the proper steps to secure your account afterwards, you can get back to scrolling and posting in no time.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to fix the "Your Account Was Compromised" error on Instagram. I‘ll also provide some pro tips to help prevent your account from being compromised again in the future.

So grab a snack, settle in, and let‘s get started with understanding what causes this pesky error in the first place!

What Triggers the Compromised Account Error on Instagram?

Before we dig into how to fix the issue, it helps to understand exactly why Instagram throws up the "Your Account Was Compromised" error in the first place.

Based on my years of social media experience, this error most commonly appears when:

You‘ve entered your Instagram login credentials into a third-party app or website. Many apps and sites promise features like more Instagram followers, likes, and views in exchange for your login info. However, giving out your username and password is extremely risky! It goes against Instagram‘s terms of service, and can easily lead to your account being compromised.

Your login credentials have been phished or leaked. Sometimes cybercriminals can steal passwords through phishing attacks or security breaches. If your Instagram password is compromised this way, Instagram may detect the suspicious login activity and lock your account.

Someone is logging into your account from an unfamiliar location or device. If someone logs into your Instagram from a device or location you don‘t recognize, the app may flag your account as potentially compromised as a security measure.

The bottom line is – if Instagram detects any suspicious activity that indicates your account security has been breached, you‘ll get the dreaded compromised account error.

Next, let‘s go through how to get back into your account safely and quickly.

Step-By-Step Guide to Fix “Your Account Was Compromised”

If you‘re seeing that "Your Account Was Compromised" message, don‘t panic! Just follow these steps carefully to regain access to your account:

Reset Your Instagram Password

The first step is to reset your Instagram password. This removes access to the account from whoever else had your old password:

Go to Instagram‘s login page on your web browser or the Instagram app.
Tap on "Forgot Password".
Enter the username or email address linked to your Instagram account and click Next.
Check your email inbox for a password reset link from Instagram. Click the link to reset your password.

Create a Strong, Secure Password

When creating your new Instagram password, it‘s crucial to make it strong and secure:

At least 10-12 characters long
Mix of uppercase and lowercase letters
Includes numbers, symbols, and punctuation
Doesn‘t contain personal info like your name or birthday
Unique and not used for any other accounts

I also recommend using a password manager app like LastPass or 1Password to generate and store secure, random passwords for each account.

Remove Third Party App Access

If you had previously given your login details to any suspicious third party apps or sites, it‘s important to revoke their access:

Go to your Instagram settings
Navigate to the "Security" tab
Select "Apps and Websites" and remove any unknown or unauthorized apps

You should also check your connected accounts on Facebook, Twitter, etc. and remove access from unfamiliar third party apps just to be safe.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

One of the best ways to secure your Instagram account is to turn on two-factor authentication (2FA).

With 2FA enabled, you need to enter both your password and a six digit code generated from your mobile phone when logging in. So even if someone has your password, they still can‘t access your account.

To set up 2FA:

Go to your Instagram Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication
Select either text message or authentication app to have the code sent to
Enter your mobile phone number or download the authentication app
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the 2FA activation

The last step is to simply log back into your Instagram account with your new password. You should now have full access to your account again!

Make sure to closely monitor your account activity over the next few days. Check for any suspicious posts made during the time your account was compromised.

You can also turn on login notifications under Security Settings. This will alert you anytime someone logs into your Instagram account from an unrecognized device.

Pro Tips to Avoid Instagram Account Compromises

Resetting your password may be enough to resolve that pesky “Your Account Was Compromised” error. But you’ll want to take extra precautions to prevent your account from being compromised again in the future.

Here are my top pro tips for keeping your Instagram account safe and secure:

Use unique passwords: Having different passwords for each of your accounts makes it much harder for cybercriminals to gain access. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites and apps.

Be wary of phishing: Don‘t click suspicious links claiming to be from Instagram asking you to log in. Ignore unsolicited password reset emails. Only reset your password directly through Instagram‘s website or app.

Limit third party app access: Never give your Instagram login details to random apps or services making dubious promises. They could leak or abuse your info.

Turn on login approvals: Under Instagram‘s Security Settings, you can require a special login code be sent to your phone whenever a new device logs into your account.

Avoid public Wi-Fi: Only access your Instagram account on secure, private networks to prevent snooping by hackers. Public Wi-Fi is often unsafe.

Monitor your followers: Periodically review your followers list and block/remove any bots, suspicious or inactive accounts. This keeps your account more secure.

Check linked accounts: Ensure unknown accounts are not connected to your Instagram via Facebook, Twitter or other platforms. Disconnect any you don‘t recognize.

Limit account visibility: Set your Instagram profile to private so only approved followers can view your content. Avoid exposing your info publicly.

What If Resetting Your Password Doesn‘t Work?

In some rare instances, the "Account Compromised" error may still persist even after resetting your Instagram password. Don‘t stress! There are still a few tricks that could help restore your access:

Uninstall and reinstall the Instagram app – After uninstalling, wait 72 hours before logging back in. This essentially resets the app.
Submit an account recovery request – Instagram allows you to request account recovery via their website if you‘re unable to login.
Contact Instagram support – If all else fails, reach out to Instagram‘s support team through their Help Center. They can further troubleshoot the issue.

With over 15 years of social media experience under my belt, I‘ve helped dozens of friends recover compromised accounts. The steps outlined in this guide have proven to be the most effective way to get back into your Instagram and secure it for the long run.

Let‘s Recap How to Fix "Your Account Was Compromised"

Just to summarize everything we‘ve covered:

Reset your Instagram password and create a strong, unique new one
Remove access to any unknown third party apps
Turn on two-factor authentication for extra security
Monitor your account activity closely for suspicious behavior
Take proactive measures to avoid future account compromises
Try uninstalling or submitting an account recovery request if issues persist

With the right combination of reactive and proactive measures, you can resolve Instagram‘s “Your Account Was Compromised” error and protect your account from being hacked again in the future.

I hope this detailed guide gives you the info and confidence to quickly fix your compromised Instagram account. And remember – stay vigilant against phishing attempts, use unique passwords, limit app integrations, and enable login protections.

By following these best practices, you can avoid those stressful locked out situations and keep your Instagram safe. Now get back to scrolling and sharing all those perfectly filtered photos! Just be sure to tag me @socialmediageek so I can watch your Instagram get back up and running.