A major Instagram data leak has reportedly exposed the personal information of 17.5 million users, according to cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes, raising fresh concerns about user privacy worldwide.
Instagram’s parent company, Meta, has denied any full platform breach and said its systems were not compromised. However, the incident highlights serious risks and shows why users should take stronger steps to protect their accounts.
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Follow @gsmrumors17.5 Million Instagram Accounts Compromised
Cybersecurity researchers say a dataset containing usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, and even partial home addresses of about 17.5 million Instagram accounts is being shared on dark web forums.
Some users have reported getting unexpected password reset emails, which may be linked to leaked data or automated misuse, causing confusion and concern.
Meta said the activity came from an issue it has already fixed and not from a confirmed system breach. Still, security experts are urging users to take the situation seriously.
Top Security Steps Every Instagram User Should Take Now
Here are practical, easy things to do today to secure your account:
- Change Your Instagram Password: Changing your password should be the first and fastest step to reduce most of the risk. Data shared on the dark web can sometimes be used to find other personal details, such as your home address or payment information if you’ve made purchases before. By changing your password, you can block hackers from fully accessing your account and stop them from collecting more data.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Almost all major platforms use this method to improve security. If you haven’t enabled 2FA yet, do so immediately to better protect your account.
- Review Login Activity: This helps you check whether your account has been logged into without permission, and it allows you to take the next important steps to secure it.
- Be Wary of Suspicious Emails: Apart from data breaches, accounts can also be hacked through suspicious emails that contain harmful links. If you click on these links, attackers can collect your personal information.
- Secure Your Email: You should also keep your email account secure, as it is one of the main ways to access your Instagram account. To protect your email, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) and change your password regularly.
