Story: Instagram was hacked and hacker set up two-factor authentication, and how I got it back.
Here is my story of being a victim of being hacked on Instagram. So I've noticed how Instagram accounts are being hacked left and right, and most of them are posting similar content such as Bitcoin and Crypto mining, and I never really thought I was the next target. Note that I didn't know much about it and I didn't have 2FA on because I thought it was unnecessary, as I told myself "who would want to hack my account?". On the new year 2022, month of January was the time where my posts started getting on people's explore pages and my Instagram account grew. I went from 3K to 11K in just a week and I was really excited. I met new friends along the way as I never imagined myself being hacked.
A week or two, one day, my friend out of no where started texted me asking for help. I didn't suspect anything because we could constantly talk in my discord server and we would vc sometimes. He asked if he could have my number because he needed getting his account back and I really didn't think twice before giving him my number and sending him the link I got. I realized that the password changed on MY account as I received the email so I pressed it saying that I didn't change and reset it. A few hours later I decided to check on my current Insta status as I noticed how I got logged out. I tried logging back in but my password was incorrect. I pressed forgot password and it showed me an email I never saw and a long weird number. I knew what happened, my dumbass got myself hacked. I panicked and started doing all the research I could. The Instagram support page was useless, as I couldn't contact anybody to explain my situation or even confirm my full identity if I wanted to. The email saying that you can contact Instagram on Google doesn't work, so that wasn't an option. I spent the last hour researching and finding similar stories.
So I'm not sure why this was new to me but these hackers way of getting people's Instagram accounts is been around. It's been the same pattern, it's either their asking you for help, asking you to receive a reset link, pressing a link, or having interest in their stupid Bitcoin or Crypto mining. If you ever get a text like that from a friend or anyone, note that they are hacked. I've even heard stories of people forcing the owners to record a video to promote their bullshit so they could get it back but I doubt that they ever will. I thought my account was gonna be gone forever, and the fear of restarting just made me tear up. But then, I told myself I can't give up there. I started going through forgot password, pressed the button where it said can't access these contact info. It led me to a page showing me to a list of emails and numbers that were used to create the account. I was in luck because those are my current emails and number. Unfortunately hope was lost again when it led me to a page asking me to put a code for 2FA that was setup. I knew the hacker set up 2FA because I never did. I looked up the corner and there was three dots, and led me to a couple options. One of them was to report my account as hacked. I did that and was asked to record a face video to confirm my identity. If you post your face on your account, your most likely to get it back. If you don't, your account is gone for good :(
That day I submitted a video and the next day, I finally received an email that allowed me to reset my password and use a 8 digit code given by Instagram to pass through the 2FA page. I was finally in. I immediately removed the weird number and email, removed their 2FA and the connected Instagram page. The name was Arabic, as I don't remember what it was. I set up my own 2FA and I finally felt at ease. The hacker must've been asleep when I did all this because I did read a reddit saying the hacker immediately changed the password and stuff when the other person did what I did. It's a constant pattern, their location is always at Lagos, Nigeria. Whatever, I finally got my account back and deleted their stupid Bitcoin crap.
It doesn't end here as the hacker eventually found out and tried to get back in. I kept denying their request as they kept resetting my password. I had my 2FA and backup codes to help me keep my account as the hacker soon gave up trying. Moral of the story, always have 2FA on. Never trust anyone asking you for help or press any suspicious links. I just wish Instagram made it easier to get your hacked account back, or at least had a support center. It's weird that they don't knowing the fact that it is one of the most popular social media apps. I really hope this helps those who are in a similar situation, as I hope you get it back! Just never give up
\-Jay