Social media has made a positive impact on the world. But, unfortunately, we only talk about good sides, ignoring the dark side that brings good ones. Consequently, with the increase in various online social media platforms for good use, scammers also use various social engineering tools to trick us. So, among these social media, users can follow a few simple steps to check if someone is using your Instagram.
There are few simple steps you can follow to ensure the privacy and safety of your Instagram account. To check if someone is using your Instagram in the first place, you can check different features within the application. By looking into various activities surrounding your Instagram, you can quickly tell if someone is using it.
Why Does Instagram Send You Emails?
Instagram sends you an email to notify unusual login attempts by someone into your account. First, Instagram will remember all your login details, like your device to access your account or the Wi-Fi network. After that, mark those as your standard login details so Instagram can check if someone is using your Instagram account. If someone tries to get access to your device from a new location or device by breaking all the patterns, then at that time, you will receive a notification.
However, this might not be true in all cases. For example, you can also log in using your friend’s Laptop or any new phone with another location; in such cases, you can simply discard the email. On the other hand, it is best to check if someone is using your Instagram account by emails.
Here, if you find that someone is using your Instagram account, the best action that you can take is to change your Instagram account password right away. By doing this, you can prevent your account from being misused by hackers.
Navigate Activity By Emails From Instagram In Android or iOS
We can check if an unknown person is using your Instagram account by checking our emails when someone tries to get into our account. Here, steps to prevent hacking by checking emails from Instagram on Android or iOS are:
Step 1: Open Instagram App
Firstly, on your device’s home page, you will see an Instagram icon. Then, tap on the Icon and open your Instagram application.
Step 2: Go To Your Profile
Next, tap on the “Profile icon,” which you can find at the bottom right corner of your screen. On tapping on the profile icon, you will switch to your profile page.
Step 3: Tap on the three horizontal lines
Then, to go to your settings page, tap on the three horizontal line hamburger icon you can see at the top right corner of your screen.
Step 4: Go To Settings Page
Next, by clicking on the option of this page, you can manage the Settings and Privacy of your account. After this, tap on the “settings.” You can find this option at the top of the list of options.
Step 5: Tap On Security Option
You can find this option on the fourth line just below the Privacy option. Next, click on the Security option.
Step 6: Tap On Emails From Instagram
Finally, tap on Emails from Instagram. You can find it at the bottom of the Login Security option tab, below the two-factor authentication option. After clicking on it, you will see security and login emails showing all the security and emails from Instagram in the last 14 days.
Furthermore, You can use it to verify your real and fake logins. And the other options show all the other extra emails from Instagram in the last 14 days.
Check Emails About Changes In Your Browser Mac (or Desktop)
You can effortlessly check if someone is using your Instagram account by using your Laptop with any version of the operating system installed on it. The steps to prevent are below.
Step 1: Open Instagram App
On your device’s browser, type www.instagram.com. You will see the Instagram home page, and by using your Instagram login credentials, log in to your Instagram account. And click “Log in.”
Step 2: Go To Your Profile
After successfully logging in, tap on your Profile Picture icon, which you can find at the header section of your Instagram Home page; you will see a list of options on tapping on your profile picture icon.
Step 3: Tap On The Settings Icon
To go to the settings page, tap on the settings icon. Here, you can see the “Settings” option or “Settings icon” on the top right corner of your browser’s just below saved options or the third options list.
Step 4: Tap On Emails From Instagram
You can find this option just below the Login Activity option. First, click on the Emails from Instagram option. After clicking on it, you will see two tabs: Security and login emails, where you will see all the security and emails from Instagram in the last 14 days.
Moreover, you can further use it to verify your real and fake logins. And the other options show all the other extra emails from Instagram in the last 14 days, as your updates about changes in account settings or notifications of your accepted follow requests.
Look Into Account Hacking By Login Activity In Android/iOS.
You can find all the Instagram login activity under the Login Activity option under the Security tab to check if someone is using your Instagram. To check the Login Activity on your Android or iOS, follow the steps down below:
Step 1: Launch your Instagram App
Firstly, on your device’s home page, you will see an Instagram icon. Then, tap on the Icon and open your Instagram application.
Step 2: Go To your Profile
Next, tap on the “Profile icon,” which you can find at the bottom right corner of your screen. In doing so, by tapping on the profile icon, you will switch to your profile page.
Step 3: Tap On The three Horizontal lines
Then, to go to your settings page, tap on the three horizontal line hamburger icon you can see at the top right corner of your screen.
Step 4: Go To Settings Page
By clicking on the option of this page, you can manage the Settings and Privacy of your account. Next, tap on the settings, and under that section, tap on the “Security” section.
Step 5: Tap On Login Activity
To check your login details, click on the “Login Activity” option. You can find it just below the “Password” option.
After clicking on that option, you can see a list of your recent login activity with the device name and your time of Login with the location.
Then, on tapping on the three-dot icon next to the login details (…), you can further see the location option with a pop-up message of a “Logout” option.
Next, tap on the logout option if you find that login activity suspicious and the user on that account logs out from that device.
Check Your Account By Login Activity in Browser Mac (or Desktop)
The steps to see login Activity in your Browser on your Mac or desktop are below.
Step 1: Login Your Instagram Account
On your device’s browser, type www.instagram.com. You will see the Instagram home page, and by using your Instagram login credentials, log in to your Instagram account. And click “Log in.”
Step 2: Go To Your Profile
After successfully login, tap on your Profile Picture icon, which you can find at the top header of your device browser; on tapping on your profile picture icon, you will see a list of options.
Step 3: Tap On The settings Icon
To go to the settings page, tap on the settings icon. You can see the “Settings” option or “Settings icon” on the top right corner of your browser’s just below saved options or the third options list.
Step 4: Check Your Login Activity
Tap on the Login Activity options from the list, which you can see on the left side of your browser. After tapping on it, you will see a list of your login activity details with location, including device name and time of the Login.
Then, on tapping on the “down arrow,” you will see a map including full details with a pop-up message to “Log out.”
Tap on the Log out option if you weren’t the one to log in with that device and location. On doing so, Instagram will log you out from that device.
Check Your Account By Your Search History on Android or iOS.
You need to check your search history to check your search activity on Instagram. You just tap on the Search icon and go through the settings. Check in the steps for the complete guide:
Step 1: Open Instagram App
Open your Instagram app and Login into your account using your username and password.
Step 2: Tap On Search Icon
After logging, you will move to your account home page. Next, click on the search icon. You can see the search icon at the bottom of your page, i.e., at the right side of your home icon. On tapping, you will navigate to the Explore page.
Step 3: Tap On Search Bar
You can see the search bar at the top of your page. Tap on it, and you will see two subcategories of search history. Next, go to “Recent” if you want to see a list of all your recent search activities. Then, tap on the “See All” if you’re going to go on full details of search history.
Check Your Account By Your Search History on PC/Mac
You need to go through your web browser and follow up on the steps to check your overall search history using your PC.
Step 1: Open Your Browser
Open your browser and type www.instagram.com. You will move to the Instagram login page.
Step 2: Login Into Your Account
Sign in to your IG account using your login credentials, i.e., Your username, phone number, email, and password. After a successful Login, Instagram will navigate you to the home page.
Step 3: Tap On Search Bar
After logging, Click on the search icon. You can see the search icon at the top of your browser, i.e., between Instagram and the home icon. Tap on it, and you will see a list of all your recent search activities. Tap on “Clear All” if you want to clear your search history.
Checking Your Profile and Notifications on Android/iOS
You can check on your profile and notifications to check if you are under target by anonymous users. However, you need to trust the process of knowing any suspicious activity on your Android and iOS devices. Steps to check if someone is using your Instagram account using your device:
Step 1: Open Instagram App
Open your Instagram app. Go to your IG application and Login into your account using your username and password.
Step 2: Go To Your Profile
Go to your homepage and Tap on the Profile icon. You can see the profile icon at the bottom of your device on the right side. Check if there is any anonymous content and post in your post grid. You can also see if there are any changes in your bio.
Step 3: Go To Notification Center
To see your notifications:
- Click on the heart icon at the top of your IG app. You can find this Icon between the Instagram title and your messages icon.
- Check all your notifications of your posts, likes and comments are from your known followers or not.
- Make sure that all your notifications are from the post you engage with.
If not then, you should know that malicious hackers underuse your account.
Navigate Your Profile and Notifications on Desktop/Mac
You can check if someone is using your Instagram by your profile and notifications with every device your account connects. Works can be a slight difference between the Desktop and smartphones version. If you are more into your laptop version, just keep on following the steps.
Step 1: Open Your Browser
Open your browser. Type www.instagram.com and hit Enter. You will switch to the Instagram login page.
Step 2: Login Into Your Account
Sign in to your IG account using your login credentials, i.e., Your username, phone number, email, and password. After a successful Login, Instagram will navigate you to the home page.
Step 3: Go To Your Profile
Go to your profile by tapping on the Profile icon. You can see the profile icon at the header of your IG account page or top right corner of your browser. Check if there is any anonymous content and post in your post grid. You can also see if there are any changes in your bio.
Step 4: Go To Notification Center
To check your notifications:
- Click on the heart icon at the header of your browser. You can find this Icon between the Explore icon and your profile icon.
- Check all your notifications of your posts, likes and comments are from your known followers or not.
- Make sure that all your notifications are from the post you were engaged with.
If not then, you should know that malicious hackers underuse your account.
Check If Someone Is Using Your Instagram By Activity in Android/iOS.
You can follow the secure option by checking if someone is using your Instagram by the activity on the profile. Follow the steps down below to check the activity on both Android and iOS devices.
Step 1: Launch your Instagram App
On your device’s home page, you will see an Instagram icon. Tap on the Icon and open your Instagram application. Login to your account using your login credentials. After tapping, login, and you will see your account home page.
Step 2: Go To Your Profile
Tap on the “Profile icon” to switch from your home page to your profile page. You can see the profile icon at the bottom right corner of your screen.
Step 3: Tap On The Three Horizontal Lines
To go to your settings page, tap on the three horizontal line hamburger icon you can see at the top right corner of your screen.
Step 4: Tap on the Settings Options
By clicking on the option of this page, you can manage the Settings and Privacy of your account. Next, tap on the security options. On tapping this section, you will see Login Security and Data and History subcategories.
Step 5: Tap On The ‘Access data’
Tap the first option from the Data and History option. You can see a list of complete details of your past account activity like Account information, Profile Info, Connections, Stories Activity, any account privacy changes, and many more.
Go Through Your Past Instagram Activity in Desktop/Mac
You can check your past activity on your profile by going into your Instagram web version’s settings and login activity. Here, follow the steps to make it work with your desktop version.
Step 1: Open Your Browser
Open your browser. Type www.instagram.com and hit Enter. You will switch to the Instagram login page.
Step 2: Login Into Your Account
Sign in to your IG account using your login credentials, i.e., Your username, phone number, email, and password. After your successful Login, Instagram will navigate you to your home page.
Step 3: Go To Your Profile
Go to your profile by tapping on the Profile icon. You can see the profile icon at the header of your IG account page or top right corner of your browser.
Step 4: Tap On The Settings Option
You need to tap on the settings icon. You can find that option on the third list just above the Switch Accounts. On tapping, you will see a list of subcategories under Edit profile.
Step 5: Tap On Privacy And Security
On tapping, the privacy and security option scroll down to the bottom of the page. You will see Account data.
Step 6: Tap On ‘Account Data’
Click on the “View Account Data” option to check the list of all your past Instagram activities. You can see a list of complete details of your past account activity like Account information, Profile Info, Connections, Stories Activity, any account privacy changes, and many more.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication On Instagram Account
Enabling two-factor authentication is the best security measure you can adopt in this online world and check if someone is using your Instagram. You can prevent suspicious Login by using Instagram’s native Two Factor Authentication feature.
Step 1: Open The Instagram App
Move to your phone’s home page. Tap on the Instagram icon and open the application by using login credentials.
Step 2: Tap On The Profile Icon
Move to your Instagram account home page and tap on the profile icon. You can find that Icon at the bottom of your home page.
Step 3: Tap On The Hamburger Icon
To go to your settings page, tap on the three horizontal line hamburger icon you can see at the top right corner of your profile page.
Step 4: Go To Settings Page
Tap on the “Settings” option. On tapping, you will see the Two-Factor Authentication option right under the Saved-Login Info” option.
Step 5: Tap on Two-Factor Authentication
On tap, you will see a message saying “Add Security To Your Account” and tap on the “Get Started” button. Next, you can see three types of security measures options which are listed and explained further below.
Three Ways To Enable Two Factor Authentication On Your Device:
The three ways in which you can enable the two-factor authentication feature on your Instagram are below.
Enable Two Factor Authentication With WhatsApp
This option lets you enable two-factor authentication using your WhatsApp. Simply tap the toggle button “ON.” Then, it will send you a 6-digit code to the number you have added while setting up your Instagram account. Tap on “Next” after filling up the 6-digit code. You will see a phone number confirmation tab and click “Next.” Next, you need to enter a 6-digit confirmation code which you will receive in your WhatsApp account. After entering the code, you will see five backup codes you can receive if you lose your phone or if your authentication process fails to work. Finally, tap on done.
Quick Note: Each backup code can only be used once and can get a set of new codes. You can screenshot the codes and save them in your gallery.
Enable Two Factor Authentication With Authentication App
You can enable two-factor authentication by downloading third-party apps. On tapping the toggle button “ON,” you will see “Download An Authentication App From Your App Store” options. Next, click on “Install App” to use the app to enable two-factor authentication. You will see an alert message, and on tapping open, your authentication app will be in the process.
Enable Two Factor Authentication With Text Message
Enabling two-factor authentication using your phone number can be the easiest way. You simply need to add a phone number you’re using currently. You can add any number but adding numbers to your device can be more secure as you receive a code. Tap on the toggle button. You will receive a six-digit confirmation code on your device. After adding them, tap on the “Next” button. You will receive a confirmation message “Two-Factor Authentication is On.”
On tapping next, you will see five lists of backup codes you can use when you are out of contact with your device or in case your authentication process fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some frequently asked questions on checking if someone is using your Instagram are below.
Will I Get Notified About New Logins?
Unless you enable two-factor authentication, you won’t receive any notification. So, you need to set up two-factor authentication if you want to receive alert notification messages. In addition, you can confirm whether the Login is done by you or by an anonymous user.
What Does That Mean If I Can’t Find A User In Instagram?
If you can’t find a user on your Instagram account, it probably means they have blocked you. In addition, if you receive a message saying “Account is Private,” it means they have switched their account to private and have removed you from their follower’s list.
Can My Deleted Account Be Recovered?
If your account is deleted or some hackers get into your account, they might delete all your posts. However, in such cases, you can still get back to your account. You technically will have a 30 days time period to contact Instagram to explain that your account has been hacked and request them to put your account back.
Why Should I Disable Login With Facebook?
If you’re logging your Instagram account through your Facebook login, then this might be a red sign. Besides, you need to change these settings because they can get into your IG account quickly if someone can access your Facebook account. So, disable Login with Facebook additionally, so if your Facebook account gets hacked, you still will have your Instagram account safe.
Will I Be Logged Out Of All Devices If I Deactivate My Account?
Technically you will be logged out of all devices if you deactivate your account permanently. But, if someone has access to your login credentials, then they could reactivate your account. So, to avoid such issues, change your data and set a strong password first. On the other hand, you could also change your email password as email access can help them login to your account, which you will never want to happen.
Conclusion
Security and privacy are always pressing issues in this day and age of the internet. Hence, to summarize this guide on checking if someone is using your Instagram, you can always be on the lookout to maintain the required privacy of your social media. Moreover, whatever the case you’re into, you can check all the steps for your smartphone or desktop version. Finally, you will surely be able to fix your issues and make your account secure.
