What happened in the Instagram data breach?
Twingate Team
•
May 24, 2024
In September 2017, Instagram experienced a data breach that exposed users' contact details. The compromised information was made available in a searchable online database, charging $10 per search. This incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in digital security and the importance of robust measures to protect sensitive user data.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach affected approximately 6 million users' data.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details of Instagram users.
How was Instagram hacked?
A combination of weak spots in Instagram's security framework and sophisticated attacks on its API allowed hackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and leak sensitive data. The breach occurred due to various vulnerabilities, ranging from basic phishing tactics to more advanced methods targeting Instagram's API. This unauthorized access led to the exposure of email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details of millions of Instagram users.
Instagram's solution
In response to the hack, Instagram took several measures to enhance its platform's security and prevent future incidents. These measures included implementing more stringent security protocols, such as two-factor authentication, and conducting regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that its security measures are up to date. Additionally, Instagram asked users to change their passwords if they were weak or potentially compromised and recommended users to enable two-factor authentication and remove unauthorized third-party apps.
How do I know if I was affected?
Instagram reached out to users believed to be affected by the breach. If you're an Instagram user and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Password: Immediately update your password for the breached account. Make sure the new password is strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on the breached account. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized access or transactions immediately.
For more specific help and instructions related to Instagram's data breach, please contact Instagram's Help Center directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the Instagram data breach, check out the following news articles:
Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.
What happened in the Instagram data breach?
Twingate Team
•
May 24, 2024
In September 2017, Instagram experienced a data breach that exposed users' contact details. The compromised information was made available in a searchable online database, charging $10 per search. This incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in digital security and the importance of robust measures to protect sensitive user data.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach affected approximately 6 million users' data.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details of Instagram users.
How was Instagram hacked?
A combination of weak spots in Instagram's security framework and sophisticated attacks on its API allowed hackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and leak sensitive data. The breach occurred due to various vulnerabilities, ranging from basic phishing tactics to more advanced methods targeting Instagram's API. This unauthorized access led to the exposure of email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details of millions of Instagram users.
Instagram's solution
In response to the hack, Instagram took several measures to enhance its platform's security and prevent future incidents. These measures included implementing more stringent security protocols, such as two-factor authentication, and conducting regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that its security measures are up to date. Additionally, Instagram asked users to change their passwords if they were weak or potentially compromised and recommended users to enable two-factor authentication and remove unauthorized third-party apps.
How do I know if I was affected?
Instagram reached out to users believed to be affected by the breach. If you're an Instagram user and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Password: Immediately update your password for the breached account. Make sure the new password is strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on the breached account. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized access or transactions immediately.
For more specific help and instructions related to Instagram's data breach, please contact Instagram's Help Center directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the Instagram data breach, check out the following news articles:
Rapidly implement a modern Zero Trust network that is more secure and maintainable than VPNs.
What happened in the Instagram data breach?
Twingate Team
•
May 24, 2024
In September 2017, Instagram experienced a data breach that exposed users' contact details. The compromised information was made available in a searchable online database, charging $10 per search. This incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in digital security and the importance of robust measures to protect sensitive user data.
How many accounts were compromised?
The breach affected approximately 6 million users' data.
What data was leaked?
The data exposed in the breach included email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details of Instagram users.
How was Instagram hacked?
A combination of weak spots in Instagram's security framework and sophisticated attacks on its API allowed hackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and leak sensitive data. The breach occurred due to various vulnerabilities, ranging from basic phishing tactics to more advanced methods targeting Instagram's API. This unauthorized access led to the exposure of email addresses, phone numbers, and other contact details of millions of Instagram users.
Instagram's solution
In response to the hack, Instagram took several measures to enhance its platform's security and prevent future incidents. These measures included implementing more stringent security protocols, such as two-factor authentication, and conducting regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that its security measures are up to date. Additionally, Instagram asked users to change their passwords if they were weak or potentially compromised and recommended users to enable two-factor authentication and remove unauthorized third-party apps.
How do I know if I was affected?
Instagram reached out to users believed to be affected by the breach. If you're an Instagram user and haven't received a notification, you may visit Have I Been Pwned to check your credentials.
What should affected users do?
In general, affected users should:
Change Your Password: Immediately update your password for the breached account. Make sure the new password is strong and unique, not previously used on any other platform.
Reset Passwords for Other Accounts: If you've used the same or similar passwords for other online accounts, reset those as well. This is crucial as attackers often try using stolen passwords on multiple sites.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on the breached account. Consider enabling this additional security feature on all other important online accounts to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Monitor Your Accounts: Keep an eye on your accounts for any suspicious activity and report any unauthorized access or transactions immediately.
For more specific help and instructions related to Instagram's data breach, please contact Instagram's Help Center directly.
Where can I go to learn more?
If you want to find more information on the Instagram data breach, check out the following news articles:
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