It’s easy to get carried away by excitement and emotions when you are socializing or interacting with other users on Instagram. You might not be fully aware that you’re already sharing some of your personal information with the public.
That is why it is very crucial to always bear in mind that when you are posting on a social media platform like Instagram you should never keep your guard down. There are various ways that other people or hackers can misuse your photos, videos, or information that can harm you so you must make sure that you will be very vigilant in everything you do on the platform to avoid compromising your account and personal information and safe from prying eyes of hackers.
Ways to Protect Your Privacy on Instagram
Instagram, along with other social media platforms, is continuously evolving. From a simple photo-sharing app before, it has now become one of the most effective tools for socialization and marketing as well. But as you scroll through your feeds and double –tapping into the hearts of a large audience, you may be at a greater risk of potential privacy endangerment.
Don’t worry because you can take control of your actions and information on Instagram to safeguard your personal space on the platform. We’ll walk you through the most effective ways to keep and uphold your privacy on Instagram while still being able to enjoy the platform’s features and share your unique story with the rest of the world.
Here are 10 easy yet effective steps to keep your privacy and security on the platform:
Make Your Account Private
Instagram accounts are set to public by default. Allowing anyone to view your posts and follow you. Consider making your account private to keep your privacy on the platform. Private accounts only let people that the users know and only those that the users approve can follow and see their content.
To make your account private, follow these simple steps:
- Go to your profile by tapping on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select “Settings and privacy”.
- Hover to “Account privacy” and toggle on the “Private account” option.
Review Your Followers List
Even if you have a private account, it’s essential to regularly review your followers list and remove anyone you don’t know or trust.
To remove a follower, follow these two easy steps:
- Go to your profile and tap on “Followers”.
- Find the follower you want to remove and tap on the “Remove” button next to their name.
Limit Who Can See Your Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are a great way to share temporary updates with your followers. However, you might want to limit who can view your Stories to protect your privacy. The good thing with Instagram is that, once you set your account to private, all your posts and Stories will be automatically set to private as well and only your followers can see them so there will be no added configuration for this.
Control Your Tagged Photos
When someone tags you in a photo, it will automatically appear in the “Photos of You” section on your profile. You can review and manually approve tagged photos before they appear on your profile to control who can tag you and to keep your privacy.
To enable this feature, follow these easy steps:
- Go to your profile by tapping on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select “Settings and privacy”.
- Tap on “Tags and mentions”, choose the “Manually approve tags” option, and tick the “Manually approve tags” button.
- You may also change the “Who can tag you” to which option you want by toggling the corresponding button next to your preferred setting.
Limit Data Sharing with Third-Party Apps
Many third-party apps request access to your Instagram account to provide additional features or services. However, these apps can potentially access your personal information and compromise your privacy without you knowing.
To review and manage the apps connected to your Instagram account, follow these steps:
- Go to your profile by tapping on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select “Settings and privacy”.
- Scroll down to see “Website permissions”.
- Tap on “Apps and websites” to see the list of apps connected to your account. You can remove any app you no longer trust or use by tapping on “Remove.”
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your Instagram account by requiring a verification code in addition to your password when logging in. Enabling 2FA can help protect your account from unauthorized access.
To enable 2FA, follow these steps:
- Go to your profile by tapping on your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
- Tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner and select “Settings and privacy”.
- Select “Account Center” and then choose “Password and security”.
- Tap on “Two-factor authentication” and follow the steps to set up 2FA using your preferred method (text message or authentication app).
Be Cautious with Geotagging
Geotagging allows you to add a location to your posts, which can be a fun way to share your experiences with your followers. However, geotagging can also reveal your whereabouts and compromise your privacy.
To protect your privacy, consider the following tips:
- Avoid geo tagging your home or workplace.
- Consider geo tagging a nearby landmark or general area instead of your exact location.
- Share your location after you’ve left the place, rather than posting in real time.
Be Mindful of the Information You Share
Always be vigilant of the information you share on Instagram, including your captions, comments, and direct messages. Avoid sharing sensitive information, such as your address, phone number, or financial information. Remember that once you share something online, someone may have seen it instantly and may misuse it.
Use Strong Passwords
It’s easy to get lazy when it comes to creating an account or updating your password, but using a weak password can put your information at risk. If someone gets access to your account, they can see all of the photos and videos on your feed, as well as any personal information you’ve shared about yourself (such as your name and address).
Don’t Open Suspicious Links
You should be wary of any link that promises free gifts or money—these are just scams designed to steal personal information from unsuspecting victims like you! Be careful of links that seem too good to be true because they probably are! If a website seems suspicious or unfamiliar, don’t click on any links within it until you research whether or not it’s safe to do so.
Bottom Line
Protecting your privacy on Instagram is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable online experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can take control of your privacy settings and minimize the risks associated with using the platform. Remember to stay vigilant and be cautious about the information you share to maintain a secure and private Instagram presence.
For more informative tips and blogs, you may check out iDigic’s blog site. You may also contact us if you need assistance in amplifying your reach on Instagram!
