Instagram Accounts Hacked in Kenya: Causes, Prevention, and Recovery

 

Recently, there have been complaints about hacked Instagram accounts. Hackers often target the accounts of vulnerable individuals.

According to the Communication Authority of Kenya, the National Kenya Computer Incident Response Team - Coordination Center KE- CIRT/CC detected 4.5 billion threats and attempts targeted at critical information infrastructure during the month of April-June 2025. Out of this, mobile app attacks accounted for 189,004, highlighting the growing risks faced by social media users.

When an Instagram account is hacked, the hacker may impersonate the account owner and start borrowing money from the victim’s friends, and in some cases, hackers also steal personal information from direct messages (DMs) and exploit it for malicious purposes.

This is why it is crucial to act immediately if you notice suspicious activity on your Instagram account. In this guide, I will walk you through  the official steps to recover your hacked account for free using Instagram's trusted recovery tools

Why Instagram Accounts Get Hacked in Kenya

There are many reasons why Instagram accounts get hacked in Kenya, and they include;

Weak passwords- Many of us tend to use weak passwords such as our date of birth, our pet's name, our national ID number, even our official names, and hackers know this, and they easily predict the password and log in to your account

Phishing links disguised as giveaways/promotions- The most common method used by hackers to compromise Instagram accounts in Kenya involves exploiting free giveaways and promotions. Many Kenyans are easily lured into these scams, where hackers often prompt you to fill out information, believing you are participating in a legitimate giveaway or promotion. However, you may unknowingly provide them with the details necessary to hack your account

Fake “Blue tick verification scams”- This scam often involves phishing, impersonation, and fraudulent offers that trick individuals into revealing personal information or money.

Third-party apps requesting login access- Some apps might request login access to your Instagram account, and these claim to offer  services that are not offered by Instagram, such as downloading other people's stories or saving videos with Instagram’s watermark logo

Public WIFI and Insecure networks-  Many Kenyans sign up for the 'free Wi-Fi' they find, unaware of the dangers. Most of these free Wi-Fi services aren't truly free, as you end up selling your personal information in exchange for access without knowing it.

Brute-Force Attacks (Targeted)- Brute-force attacks (targeted) systematically attempt every possible combination of characters until the correct password is discovered. For example, if a hacker knows your name is Doe and that you were born in 1997 from public records, they might try combinations such as Doe1997, 1997Doe, or Doe@1997.

How to Protect Your Instagram Account from Hackers

Steps-by-Steps Practical Tips

You must use a strong password to ensure online security. Avoid using easily guessable passwords like your birth year, name, or pet’s name, as hackers can easily predict these.

To set up strong passwords, you can use password generator apps, which will generate unique passwords for you that are not predictable.

Types of Multi-Factor Authentication

The alternative method involves multifactor authentication, a security technique requiring users to provide two or more distinct types of verification to access an account.

1. To set up Multi-Factor Authentication, add your phone number and enable two-factor authentication.

2. The method uses an authentication app, which is preferred because it provides secure, time-sensitive one-time passwords.

Instagram recommends using Duo mobile authenticator, Google authenticator, or Microsoft authenticator

3. It's important to have backup codes in case your primary two-factor authentication method is unavailable. You can find these codes under the Password and Security section on Instagram.

You should avoid clicking on suspicious links in your DMs, even if they are from someone you know; their accounts might be compromised. Always verify with the person directly, and if you don’t recognize the account, delete and block it.

Revoke access to suspicious third-party apps, especially the ones that promise “more followers”  or “viewed your profile,” can pose a significant risk.

Regularly update your Instagram account, as these updates come with security fixes, data protection, and access to new tools which might improve security features like login alerts and Multi-factor authentication.

What to do if your Instagram account gets hacked

Recovering your hacked Instagram account is simple; just follow a few steps and be patient. I will guide you through what you need to do.

You should keep a few things in mind. Even if hackers change your name, password, phone number, email, or delete all your photos, you will still be able to recover your hacked account. Don’t panic!

Immediate steps:

• Open any browser and search for Instagram. com/hacked

• On the next page, enter your username, even if it has been changed

• You will then see ways in which you can recover your Instagram account, including WhatsApp, Email, Phone call, or SMS If you don’t recognise the number or email you see, tap Try another way at the very bottom

• Select which method you want to receive the 6-digit code, and tap confirm

• On the next page, you will be asked to put a 6-digit code from your authenticator app. If you don’t have an authenticator app, tap on Try another way at the very bottom. A pop-up will appear, and tap on Get support

• Instagram provides you with two options for confirming your account. If you have photos or videos on your account, you can choose to take a selfie video. If you don’t have any photos or videos, simply tap on the second option. If you have photos and videos of yourself on your account, tap the first option and click next.

• Enter your email address. If your email is compromised, you can use any email that you have access to and tap on submit, and a code will be sent to your email account. Enter the code and press confirm.

• You will then be required to take a video selfie, click on next

• You need to hold your phone at eye level, tap next, and give Instagram access to your camera if you haven’t already done so.

• Ensure you are in a well-lit area and follow the recording instructions carefully.

• You will then receive a confirmation email from Instagram confirming that they have received your selfie video, and it’s pending review

Instagram will contact you in three to four business days, but this might even take a few hours from when you submitted.

• After Instagram confirms your account, it will send you an email with instructions on how to recover your hacked Instagram account

To recover your Instagram account, follow these steps. If you're unable to retrieve it, it's crucial to inform your friends that your account has been hacked to prevent potential scams.

Real Case in Kenya

I have helped many people recover their hacked Instagram accounts, but one account stood out to me. I received a call from a girl claiming her Instagram account had been hacked.

She informed me that she received an email about a giveaway, which required her to sign up using her Instagram account to complete the giveaway form. As soon as she finished signing up, she was logged out of her account. The hacker then changed the password, email, and phone number associated with her account.

I guided her through the steps mentioned earlier, and we successfully recovered the account while also providing her with security tips to avoid similar mistakes in the future.

FAQs About Instagram Hacks in Kenya

Is 2FA rough to stop hackers? No, 2FA is not enough to stop hackers; you need to have multifactor authentication.

Can Safaricom or my ISP recover my hacked Instagram account? No, Safaricom or your Internet Service Provider cannot directly recover your hacked Instagram account.

 What should I do if my hacked Instagram account is used to scam people?  Act immediately to regain control of your account and protect your followers. Follow the right steps to secure your account, report the scam, and warn your contacts.

Conclusion

Instagram hacking is a serious issue in Kenya and is becoming increasingly common. Hackers will use various methods to gain access to these accounts.

It is essential to stay vigilant by monitoring your Instagram account activity, including login alerts. Always ensure that you are using your device or a device you recognize to access your Instagram account.

By following the simple steps outlined above, you can make your hacked Instagram account difficult for hackers to access.