Why would hackers want to take over the Instagram accounts of a college student and first-grade teacher? Their stories reveal why anyone can be a target.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Instagram is now considered the king of social media, with a billion users worldwide. While it's a fun way to post cute pictures and stories, it's also a growing target for hackers.
Cyber thieves are snatching accounts not just from the rich and famous, but from ordinary folks as well. Two Bay Area residents are among the latest victims -- a college student and a first-grade teacher. Why would anybody want to steal their Instagram accounts? What are the bad guys doing with them, and why won't Instagram help them recover their accounts? When they couldn't find a way to snatch their accounts back from the hackers, they came to 7 On Your Side for help.
Instagram Did Nothing As Hackers Stole From My Followers
So, a Russian hacked my Instagram, college student Sofia Esna-Ashri explained how it all began. She awoke one day to find she couldn't log into her Instagram.
The same thing happened to San Francisco first-grade teacher Jamie Lee. I don't know what they wanted with my account, '' she said.
Both seemed like unlikely targets for a hacker. Esna-Ashri, a fashion student at the Academy of Art University, had posted only ordinary pictures of her designs, her friends, her classes. Likewise, Lee posted only whimsical photos of food and friends. But both found their accounts suddenly hijacked by someone somewhere, and linked to an email based in Russia. They could tell by the RU country code in the email address.
Instagram Account Hacked? Signs & Recovery Process
The hacker had changed the email and password associated with their accounts, so they were powerless to get back in to claim them back. And they said Instagram ignored their pleas for help.
Panic, just panic, and I want to do something to fix it, Lee said. I worried about what they might be doing, sending messages in my name, using pictures. Her voice trailed off.
It was a scary feeling because I was imagining a bunch of things they might be doing, '' Esna-Ashri said. Like human trafficking or taking the pictures, finding me here.
What Do Hackers Steal From Social Media Accounts?
Both tried to contact Instagram to get their accounts back. There was no phone number, no customer service. Just a tab on the site to report a problem. It spit out a digital reply.
I sent email after email, nobody responded, Esna-Ashri said. She got so frustrated she marched down to the Instagram building in Menlo Park and knocked on the door.
I asked them if they could help me and they said this is a private facility, a private building and you can't come in, Esna-Ashri said.
What Happens With A Hacked Instagram Account
Social media sites are teeming with reports like theirs - hackers, many seemingly in Russia, stealing ordinary Instagram accounts. And like many others, Esna-Ashri and Lee wondered: why theirs?
Instagram is the king of social media, TechCrunch editor Josh Constine said. And so it's a crown jewel for hackers to steal. Constine says your Instagram account may be highly valuable on the black market, even if it only has cute animals and foodie photos. Why?
Facebook deletes billions of fake accounts each year across its services, Constine said. That's partially why there's been increased interest from hackers for stealing existing, well-used, legitimate-seeming accounts instead of starting new ones.
My Instagram Hacker Changed My Life
Hackers sell the accounts; buyers use them to spread spam or propaganda, or maybe use them to try to squeeze money from their owners. And yes, they're used to influence elections.
We should be careful about assigning blame to specific countries because hackers do anything to cover their tracks and make it look like they're from a particular place, Constine said. But we do know that the Russian government's propaganda arm did try to disrupt the 2016 presidential election using stolen Instagram accounts and fake Instagram accounts that they created.
Lee and Esna-Ashri were locked out so they couldn't see what the bad guys were doing to their accounts -- but friends who still followed them could see.
What To Do If Someone Tries To Hack Your Facebook Or Instagram Account
It was just there for a long time, existing in space, Lee said. I had no idea what they were going to do with it.
It was terrifying, Lee said, watching and wondering what the hackers might do in her name. After all, the account was still registered to her, and friends thought she was in control.
All these kids and their parents think it's a platform for entertainment but it's so much more, she said. When you post your information and photos it's a very serious thing. Until they go on the dark side of the web they don't know.
How To Retrieve My Instagram Account If Someone Changed My Username, Phone Number And Password
Lee and Esna-Ashri gave up on getting help from Instagram. They came to 7 On Your Side. Could we get their accounts back?
We found a way - creating a secret email known only to Lee and 7 On Your Side. Instagram sent a secret code to that email, which she typed in.
Esna-Ashri had to take a photo of herself holding a piece of paper with a secret code number written on it, then email that to Instagram. The social media site then compared her posted photos with the one she emailed.
How To Recover A Hacked Instagram Account [2023 Update]
After less than a day I got it back! Esna-Ashri said. If I didn't contact 7 On Your Side I wouldn't have got my account back. There was no way, noooo way.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri promised an easier system to recover hacked accounts, saying on Twitter: We've heard from the community we weren't doing enough here.
Lee said she was about to let the hackers have her account. If 7 On Your Side hadn't helped me, I know it would have just been lost forever.
What To Do When You've Been Hacked
The best way to protect yourself? Use two-factor authentication for your email and Instagram account. Also, tell your cellphone carrier to never port your number to a different device. That's a common way to hijack accounts. Instagram says its recovery process is purposely difficult so hackers don't use it to claim accounts. Victims say hackers are already doing that. If your account was stolen let 7 On Your Side know about it -- we want to help.By now, most people feel pretty confident in their ability to avoid falling prey to phishing scams online. You know not to open emails from suspicious addresses. You know not to click random links that get sent your way. You know not to download third-party apps that will make you susceptible to hackers. (You
There’s one particular phishing scam going around Instagram that you might not know about, though. It’s been around for a while but is apparently enjoying an increase in popularity these days. It’s known as the “3 of your pictures, 4 hours of my time lol” scam (not the catchiest name, we agree). Anyway, here’s what the scam is, plus how to avoid getting your Instagram hacked.
This popular scam involves hackers reaching out to you via DM and complimenting you on some of your pictures. They claim that they have posted a few of your photos on a super exclusive website after spending a few hours editing them. They’re then “kind” enough to include a direct link to the website so you can see your photos there for yourself.
Instagram Hacking: Why Is The Art World A Target—and How Do You Get Your Account Back?
This should already be setting off alarm bells in your head. We’re not saying your pictures aren’t great, but come on. Who would spend a few hours editing your photos, upload them to a website, and then reach out to tell you about it? It’s not even really one of those things that’s too good to be true. It’s just an all-around bizarre scenario that would never happen in real life.
As you’ve almost certainly guessed, clicking on the attachment they provide (which is named “3 Of Your Pictures, And 4 Hours Of My Time LOL”) will not bring you to an exclusive website with cool Instagram photos. It will get your Instagram account hacked.
‼️ READ IF YOU GOT AN INSTAGRAM LINK DM ‼️ IF YOU SEE [ur username] THEN AN INSTAGRAM LINK IN YOUR DMS, DONT OPEN IT , ITLL HACK YOU AND THEN SEND THE LINK THE PEOPLE YOU FOLLOW SO THEY CAN OPEN IT AND GET HACKED TOO— chanlix loves you!!💗💗 (@allchanlix) June 22, 2020
No, Your Friend Didn't Make You Something It's A Scam To Get Your Instagram Password
It seems like there’s some variation when it comes to the initial message these hackers will send. Some keep it short and simple with “Check out your photos, ” others are a little bit more involved, saying something like “I really didn’t expect this to take me so long, But I finally got it all done. You better love it. I used some of your pictures.” But the attachment is always the same —and it’s always a scam.
This hopefully goes without saying, but if you receive the 3 Of Your Pictures, And 4 Hours Of My Time LOL” attachment, don’t click on it! There’s a chance that it could appear in a DM from one of your friends or followers —that just means they have also been hacked. If you do get a message like this from someone you
0 Comments
Posting Komentar