My Instagram got HACKED! How A Phisher Defeated Two Factor Authentication (A Cautionary Tale)

EDIT: Even more spammers keep showing up in the comments section! DO NOT TRUST anyone who says "[xyz] helped me get my account back." It's probably another scam (or even if it's not, I can't verify everyone listed... but it's probably a scam too).
It's been a whirlwind weekend. Friday my Instagram got hacked, because I fell for a phishing scheme. I got caught off guard and wasn't prepared-watch this to protect yourself from this kind of attack!
Thanks to my friends and followers who reached out to ask if there was anything they could do.
If you would like to see what I'm up to on TikTok, I sometimes post there: / robflaxmusic
If you want to learn more about the "Kleinscapes" music in the background, please visit Patreon.com/RobFlax and join the community of explorers there!

[@qeefthaqeefah4431]

actually based on Instagram's policy, the selfie video does not do face recognition, it's actually asked just to verify that you're human, not 'you'.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Whoa, that's surprising! But it asked me "do you have selfies on your page," and offered a different menu option if not... Maybe if not they still use a video selfie to verify you're human, and then some other verification kicks in?

[@seph.0ra]

yet i still haven’t gotten i to my account due to this! and now when i try it shows up as error

[@joyinojales3125]

@@RobFlaxMusic this is me just got hacked today and the hacker changed evrything-- he havent remove my email from the account but he changed the ig email and everything and I am frustrated :"(

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@joyinojales3125 You're not alone... it sucks! But be patient and persistent and you can get your account back. Best of luck!

[@jaylynn5863]

@@RobFlaxMusic I’m struggling too :( I’m so sad I felt for it since it was my friends account now I don’t know what to do to get my account back

[@PhearNoneGearGadgets]

Glad you got your IG back. Most people don't get it back. This video is very helpful.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Got lucky... I felt so foolish (and still do)! Lol

[@blueeyedscorpio7]

Ya, the face recognition thing didn't work & started to act up saying I was putting the wrong code in, which I was putting the right code they gave me yet it STILL said it was wrong! So, I waited a day to fix itself, but then I tried to do it again, then I see that my email is completely off!!!!!.. only the mf'er hackers email & phone is on it now!!!! I'm screwed!!! 😞😡😠 Does the FB ad running thing work? I heard some people would put a business fb ad up for a day or so then go to help support & chat with them until someone helps out to get their IG back!?! Does IG take real mail!?! This is just SO UNFAIR!!!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@blueeyedscorpio7 Keep trying. Go to "I've been hacked" and request face recognition again. It took a while... No guarantees this will work but gotta keep trying!

[@blueeyedscorpio7]

@@RobFlaxMusic I can't anymore though!!! That's what I'm trying to say! It changed to all their info, not mine.. so I can't even do that anymore!!! 😞😭

[@julzylil]

You need a video on what to do when you get back in your account mate , clear instructions on how to protect it

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Ahhh, that'd be good! But I don't think I'm really an expert there-I'd hate to make a video saying "do these things" and then it didn't help (there's even folks in the comments below who have had this happen... they did all this and the hackers still log them out somehow). So I'm not sure it's the same thing for everyone, in every situation... This is just my story of what happened to me.

[@DuaneThomas]

@@RobFlaxMusic this is my exact story. This happened to me this morning.

[@traveler1318]

@@DuaneThomas did you get your ccount back

[@StrawbbySensei]

Mine was hacked last night, same as what the hacker did it to you. I literally just screenshot the "tap to reset the ins password" to the hacker. Got logged out and still trying to get my account back by using the selfie review. Wish me luck😂!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Ahhh that sucks! The good news is if it was similar to how they got me, you have a shot. (Read the comments below for some horror stories...). Not sure what time zone you're in but if they send you backup codes, I recommend logging in late at night or some weird hour when the hacker might be asleep. No idea if that helps, but good luck!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@Bring The Crusade Again! What's your account called on IG? Want me to see what's going on there now?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@kingakowalska2692 Ohh, that sucks! sorry to hear that. If you have any selfies of yourself in your profile, you might be able to get your account back. Search for "my account was hacked and submit a video selfie for their facial recognition to prove it's you. If you only have pics of your kids you might be out of luck, but if there are pictures of yourself you might be able to get your account back. Good luck!

[@utube9749]

@@RobFlaxMusic bro my account got hacked today. Help me out

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@utube9749 That sucks! Do you have selfies in your account? Search for "My account was hacked" and try to do a video selfie review. Lots more replies in this comments section for more specific ideas. Good luck!

[@leonardsbasketballdrills7814]

Literally just got my account back while I was watching this - I just HATE hackers now

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh wow! Hey, congrats on getting your account back! Be sure to check every menu of your security stuff to see if they snuck an email address in there... I feel similarly, lol

[@leonardsbasketballdrills7814]

@@RobFlaxMusic yeah I just found this email and a phone number thou I don’t know how to get rid of it !!!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@leonardsbasketballdrills7814 Glad you checked! Delete theirs and re-add yours.

[@jaylynn5863]

How did you do it please tell me ☹️☹️

[@minaalsaffar1051]

Hiii may I please know how you got it back

[@jaylynn5863]

It’s the fact that my hacker just like change my information and hasn’t been In my account since.. it says that I haven’t been online all day since I been logged out it’s so irritating

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Just saw this! That's awful... Are you still stuck? Hope you sorted it out!

[@gomayonqui]

Same thing happend to a friend of mine, I'm trying to help her out. Thanks for sharing

[@RobFlaxMusic]

It's everywhere... Good luck and keep trying!

[@callmesahara]

I’m not hacked yet, but someone’s been trying to log in for the whole day and I already have 2 step verification on and it’s so frustrating cos instagram keeps asking me to change my password and I feel like I’m on enroute to log me out 😭

[@Briucekentos]

*DESER CODES* knows and got all it takes to get you in your account!

[@Briucekentos]

You will find him in Instagram not KZbin..

[@Blink_dara]

I tried to use my account got hacked but the Instagram replied they can't recognized my face 😢😢😢😢

[@davefoster3945]

The hacker changed both my email and phone number on my account. I’ve been so depressed lately and on the verge of suicide I just don’t know what to do

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Don't give up! They did the same for me, but if you enter the "I've been hacked" they should still have your old number or email associated with the account. Keep trying! And even if the hackers win this round, remember Instagram is ultimately a product for marketing, not you. You are a person, and as Mr. Rogers says, "there's nobody in the whole world who's just like you. And I like you, just the way you are." Depression is real, and totally sucks, and please get help!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Hey Dave. Checking in... Hope you've had some luck, and are hanging in there?

[@andrews4500]

I've been locked out for a week and was about to give up until this video 🙏 it fixed it

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Wait, really?! Wow, that's great! I'm so glad you got your account back!

[@nbayoungjoy7524]

Bro this just happened to me last night. They sent me a link try told me to send it to the the link was to my account. Any after I sent them 10 dollars before I realized what was happening

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh no! Sorry to hear... Have you had any luck getting your account back yet?

[@Aeiroq]

This happened to me today they keep blocking me on other accounts, I can’t login due to the 6 digit code and Instagram haven’t replied to any face selfy vids 😢😢

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh no, that's awful! Sorry to hear... Keep trying. Instagram verification took a LONG time for me... Patience and persistence pays off. Good luck!

[@Aeiroq]

@@RobFlaxMusic thanks I’m gonna try again when they open at 10am Californian time

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@carolinavlastuin Very true

[@ShawtyTv1]

Did you get any luck?

[@kurayeezy]

question, when you got back in did you cut the 2FA off then back on and copied the link to add to your duo account? does that really bump the hacker out on the other third party app?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Basically, yeah. Not so much turned all of the 2FA off then on again, so much as: removed the app they were using (not sure which one they were using, but it wasn't Duo!), then added Duo.

[@JohnCarta-zs5ic]

I had same experience when my account got disabled and I also contacted the support team for more than a week but they couldn't reply me not untill I came down here and saw so many many people recommending constructive_fx who brought back my account

[@JohnCarta-zs5ic]

I found him on Instagram

[@ahmadismailkhan7608]

but how dear i have also sent vrification video selfie alot of times now they reply they couldnt confirm as it is me

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Seriously, keep going. Keep submitting the verification video. I had to do it a BUNCH of times... Try taking your verification in really good lighting also, maybe?

[@ahmadismailkhan7608]

@@RobFlaxMusic ok thanks i will try again

[@ahmadismailkhan7608]

@@RobFlaxMusic how many times did u sumbit the video?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@ahmadismailkhan7608 I think at least a dozen times... I got in after fewer, but my first attempt to log in the hacker noticed and logged me out again, so I had to start over. But I am persistent...

[@ahmadismailkhan7608]

@@RobFlaxMusic they r not confirming my verification

[@english_lyrics_status]

My insta account has been hacked I have 205k followers And everything is working fine i tried everything to get my account back but they asking for two factor authentication and i dont know what to do with it

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Keep trying! So that ask for two-factor authentication is the stuff your hacker set up, probably. You need to find a way around that, using the backup login codes. As soon as I got in (and tbh I'm still not sure how I did)... Disabled their two-factor authentication.

[@bigmarlinpitch9618]

@@alexanderhuettel2703 a lie has to be. told me to send 100 on venmo and screenshot payment

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@bigmarlinpitch9618 WHOA. "Screenshot payment" is probably a SECOND scam! Thanks for posting...

[@marssnottheplanet]

The face recognition isn’t even showing up on my phone anymore

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh no! I'm not sure what to say... Maybe they've changed their recovery policy since I posted this video? Walk me through your steps... What are you trying? On what kind of phone?

[@marssnottheplanet]

@@RobFlaxMusic the face recognition WAS there earlier this week when I tried, but I tried 3 more times today and the options didn’t come up at all so I’m a little confused about that, cuz it should be there

[@sandrajames142]

@@marssnottheplanet he Is on Instagram

[@sandrajames142]

@@marssnottheplanet good luck on your recovery..

[@akshaychoudhary3864]

I have password and email and phone number to my account it has over 90k followers but it has 2 factor verification on and I don't have access to it nor the backup codes what can I do?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Ahhh that's rough! But the good news is that's exactly the struggle I had (well, minus the 90k followers bit)... The hacker that got me turned on 2 factor verification also. YOU CAN DO THIS. Follow along with the steps I suggest in the video, and keep trying. It will take some effort, patience, and a bit of luck. But you can do it!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@akshaychoudhary3864 A great reminder that you don't control that platform... Always a good idea to get people to keep in touch by email if possible! I have a mailing list I send out to my fans, and it's not as often but *I control the data,* not Insta (or KZbin, or any other platform). Something to think about after you get your account back!

[@Spookyghost16]

That’s why I never click links I know the Risks of getting hacked I never fall for it

[@KristinL23]

This exact thing happened to me, only I have two separate accounts that both got hacked. One is a fan account that I don’t have photos of myself on, so what else can I do if they video selfie doesn’t work?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh no, that's terrible! I am not sure... Maybe contact the artist you're a fan of, and see if they'll help unlock for you? 😅

[@SuperKitten1982]

Okay so this recently happened to me and I was able to get back in , but I can’t set up my two step authentication because they hacked that too, it’s their info how do I fix that do you know?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Disable two step authentication, then re-enable it.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Hope this helps! You've got a limited time window if they can get back into your account!

[@SuperKitten1982]

Okay it’s off now but when I enable it it’s their info so just keep it off?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@SuperKitten1982 Hmm, that's tricky! I'm not sure what's best to do here. Is it possible to use a different two-factor authentication tool? There's phone number (remove theirs, add yours), email (make sure theirs is gone, and check ALL the menus), and then you can select "Authentication App" and try installing a new one.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@SuperKitten1982 I'm not entirely sure about your situation, and based on your comment I'm not 100% sure if we have the same situation here... Just guessing. But poke around the menu and see all the options. Good luck!

[@SandBrown36]

Same thing happened to me but they didnt ask me to do a video. Still trying to get back my IG acct with the selfie video and IG isnt confirming the info

[@RobFlaxMusic]

If IG isn't confirming keep re-submitting. Might take a lot of tries... Good luck!

[@SandBrown36]

@@RobFlaxMusic sent in over 20 selfie videos so far and nothing

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@SandBrown36 Woof... that sucks. I wish I could help!

[@ebw6279]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@nowayhedidthat]

just had this happen to me today, but i still can change the password, which i did but everytime i try to log in it wants me to enter the authentication code from the 3rd party app. how do i get to the selfie review, im trying to get my account back

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Search for "my account was hacked" and check the other replies in the comments below. You should be able to get to the option for video selfie by going through that series of menus. Note that if you don't have any pictures of yourself on your account the selfie review won't be an option, but I think there's still an independent verification option. Do you have an email address that only you can access? If the hacker has your email too then you might want to send the recovery info to another email, but if they haven't gotten in there yet you're probably okay. Fingers crossed!

[@nowayhedidthat]

@@RobFlaxMusic great! thanks for the reply, i have sent a request, hopefully i hear back soon. and yes i do have pictures of me on the account, and i still have access to my email.

[@nowayhedidthat]

@@richardclifford9641 yes I followed the instructions, provided a selfie and was able to get my account back because I had pictures of myself on my account. Good luck getting your account back!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@nowayhedidthat That's great news! I'm so glad to hear, and you're the first person to comment on this video that you got yours back! YAY!

[@nowayhedidthat]

@@RobFlaxMusic thanks to you, I was able to not only get my account back, I helped at least 5 of my friends!

[@julzylil]

How do you set up 3 factor authentication???

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Settings > Security > Two Factor Authentication, and then there's a whole menu of which options you want. So nothing's actually called "three factor", I just mean you should turn on more than two of those things. For example, email and password is one, phone number is two, and then a password authenticator app would be three. Hope that helps!

[@chaneljackson2575]

OMG!!! CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME!!!??? My account was hacked and i did the video selfie to verify thats its my account and it asks for a authentication code/backup code but i dont know if i had that set up on my account plus i dont know how to use the duo app etc... been so stressed out behind this and havent gotta any success at all :(( i dont know what help to do.. i no longer have access to the phone number nor email bc they changed it!!! So your help would be wildly helpful!!! also they got into my FB that ive been having for yeearrs and hacked that also!!! so my question is, how do i get back into my account without access the codes !?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

That's awful! Did you find the menu item that says "I've been hacked"?

[@kylewilson-vq3yd]

Techsurecyber

[@JohnCarta-zs5ic]

I had same experience when my account got disabled and I also contacted the support team for more than a week but they couldn't reply me not untill I came down here and saw so many many people recommending constructive_fx who brought back my account

[@JohnCarta-zs5ic]

I had same experience when my account got disabled and I also contacted the support team for more than a week but they couldn't reply me not untill I came down here and saw so many many people recommending constructive_fx who brought back my account

[@JohnCarta-zs5ic]

I find him via Instagram

[@asl33py0]

I am so confused how they bypassed your 2fa

[@asl33py0]

My thought is a sim swap

[@RobFlaxMusic]

With my phone number and that screenshot (which was a unique URL texted to my phone... probably did the "forgot your password? Text me" thing)

[@bigmarlinpitch9618]

just happened to me..... it doesnt look good for me. Prob not getting access back to my account. which blows my mind instagram cant revert all changed 5 days and let me have it back

[@RobFlaxMusic]

That sucks. Keep trying! Do you have pictures of yourself in your account?

[@bigmarlinpitch9618]

Yes I have done the facial video 3 times. Got in my account 3 times and as I’m changing setting and privacy I get logged off. They change my name and email to theirs either one click of a button

[@bigmarlinpitch9618]

I even turned off and set up a two step authentication and added google authentication. None worked

[@RobFlaxMusic]

​@@bigmarlinpitch9618 Whoa. That sucks! Sorry to hear. There must be another vulnerability in IG now, I guess... That doesn't inspire confidence. Can you keep trying to re-get it back? Might be a real pain but if it's yours you can get it back again. Maybe check to see if they still had an email associated with the account? Sometimes they hide it away in a settings menu

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@bigmarlinpitch9618 Wow, damn! Try doing it at like, 4 in the morning? They have to sleep at some point 🙂

[@yaisyr76]

Ahhhhhhh This is something you think would never happen to you but if did happen to me, the ironic part is that they have made several attempts but being me a Health coach I'm trying to help people and that's how they got me. The scenario was very similar a follower messaged me asking me for help, send me a url/link but told me not to click just screenshot it and send back and I did. They have been messaging my followers with pictures of BITCOIN (the biggest scam ever) for which I have told my friends to report to instagram and block them if needed to because they can get pretty persistent with their messages.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Ouch, that sucks! They're really clever these days...Good luck with the recovery process!

[@yaisyr76]

@@RobFlaxMusic I was able to get the account back but they hacked it again even after I did a reset on my 2 Step authentication codes. I'm beyond frustrated

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@yaisyr76 That's great news! If you can get in once you can get in again, using the same process. (And I TOTALLY GET the frustration-I had the same thing happen to me!) Here's the follow-up plan: try again at a weird time of day, like 4 in the morning. Odds are good that you'll be awake and they won't. (I'm a night owl, so I was up that late by accident when I got the backup code emailed a second time.) Assuming you are able to get a second login code using the same process, be sure to go through every menu, because they sometimes hide their email address in the "associated Facebook accounts" part (at least, mine did). Act fast, as if they're awake and live-if they're by their device when you're attempting to get in they will try to stop you in real time. Another important step: go beyond two-factor authentication, and add a third factor! I recommend Duo Mobile, an independent app that IG can use as a verification source. It's not the most popular one, but I had it on my phone already for my other work, so I used that. Make sure you remove any password manager they have installed as well, just in case. One last thing to check: It's possible that the hackers might have gotten access to your email account (seems unlikely, given your story of how they got you, but worth checking). I'd recommend a new email password too, just to be safe. Good luck on round 2!

[@traveler1318]

Although my instagrams email and number changed it is still linked to my Facebook where my email and number are mine. Do you think I have a chance 😢

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Worth a try, yes. Start by messaging Instagram ("My account has been hacked"-there's a comment somewhere below that talks about how to do it, or follow along with the video). If you get to the "video review" stage you're doing well but it'll still take a while. Best of luck!

[@Azro3D]

This is very similair to what happend to me, my email and phone number is still the same tho. So is it possible for instagram to send a backup code to my emailadress that I used to create the account with? If you anyone knows, what way do I contact instagram for that? because sadly I dont have pictures of myself, and the hackers 2 step verification is the only thing blocking me. But my email and password is still detected for the verify code to get sent, so the hackers email is not showing up, so If I can get in touch with a real human support, it should be pretty easy I think.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Yes, you can do it! I'm sorry I missed this comment til now... Try to do video verification (search for "my account was hacked"). Good luck!

[@majdjawad8709]

Did you figure it out?

[@Azro3D]

@@majdjawad8709 yep, I kept on sending videos on my face. You do this by pressing "forgot password" I think, then there u can choose "got hacked". Then there is an option to send video of your face, I did this like 8-10 times then I got my account back luckily.

[@tejaspathare1542]

Which 3rd factor authentication did you use after already setting up two factor authentication? (Mentioned at timestamp 13.48) Can you please explain as my instagram has been hacked. It’d be really helpful if someone explains this.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Sure thing. I used Duo Security, which my employer was already using. It's less popular than the mega-overlords of Google or Apple, each of whom has their own password authenticator stuff too, but I like Duo and it's working well for me!

[@tejaspathare1542]

@@RobFlaxMusic thanks a lot. I had set up Google Authenticator, and the hacker was still able to bypass it and log me out of my account again. Hopefully I will be able to set up two factor authentication just in time when i try again.

[@user-Amal90]

My got hacked the exact same way last week and could not yet get it back . I did not set 2 FA at all but the hacker did it 😤

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oof, sorry to hear! Do you have selfies in your pics? You might be able to get into your account if you find the "my account was hacked". Worth a try.... Good luck!

[@adityapratimbora2828]

My pics were probably deleted, that's why video verification fails

[@soundsofnala88]

@@richardclifford9641 how?

[@paugarciabcn]

I’ve been trying for a week to get it back but face selfie is not working and cannot do anything else.. any idea? The help center link for the form is dead.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Request again and again... it's literally you, so might as well try! I think some of my success this time was luck... hoping you get lucky too 🙂

[@paugarciabcn]

@@richardclifford9641 Yes I recovered it some weeks later after creating a facebook page then reporting a problem and getting acces to their help chat. It was a struggle.

[@gayatrivenkat]

@@paugarciabcn how did you get access to their help chat pls it's a pain to contact fb chat

[@paugarciabcn]

@@gayatrivenkat cant find the video where I found this solution, but keep looking in KZbin mate. He was a black guy with glasses. Good luck!

[@gayatrivenkat]

@@paugarciabcn sure thanks mate

[@crisceldaC]

I had the same issue yesterday now I can't login💔

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh no! Sorry to hear. Have you tried going to "my account has been hacked" and trying to verify your identity?

[@kawanisumills]

Same thing happened today....

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh no, that sucks! Good luck sorting it out... It is possible, if you're lucky and persistent.

[@traappp.]

Need your help rob

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Just saw this! Are you still stuck? Hope you sorted it out!

[@traappp.]

@@RobFlaxMusic yea it been like 4 months

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@traappp. Oh damn! I'm sorry to hear... Did you try the stuff I talked about here?

[@taylorharris2920]

I literally can’t get in, I can’t send a selfie video to them. Please help!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh no, that sucks! Can you tell me why not? Is it not giving you that option, or the process is glitching/giving an error message?

[@taylorharris2920]

@@RobFlaxMusic I finally got it, but still waiting on them to let me know if it worked or not. How long did it take for them to let you know?

[@taylorharris2920]

I also accidentally attempted to log back in after I did that so I hope it didn’t affect that.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@taylorharris2920 At least a few hours. It felt like an eternity to wait... And even then, the first time I sent it in my selfie was rejected! I got an email saying "unable to confirm your identity." So I tried again, restarting the process. Took four tries to finally get a "yes" and an emergency one-time login code. YMMV. If/when you get such a code, BE PATIENT. You'll have less than a minute to log in before the hacker notices you're attempting to retake control... When I got in the first time they were active and logged me out again! That was super demoralizing. So I had to repeat the process AGAIN (and got even more error messages). Finally succeeded by logging in at like 4 am, when they were asleep. Good luck!

[@taylorharris2920]

@@RobFlaxMusic I’ve only been prompted once to provide a video selfie… I can’t get to the page abain

[@parkchaeryoung864]

hey, what do i do if it asked me to put the code for 2FA after i sent the selfie vid verification ?? 😭 the hacker enabled the 2FA

[@RobFlaxMusic]

So after the selfie vid verification, you should receive a one-time login code to your email, which when I used it just logged me in-it should override the 2FA. Did you do it this way?

[@parkchaeryoung864]

@@RobFlaxMusic well after i received the link and clicked it, they made me ask for the code wich is the 2FA that the hacker has 😭

[@RobFlaxMusic]

​@@parkchaeryoung864 Okay, got it. There's two options, the link and a "security code." If the login link doesn't work (as is the case here), you can request a code instead, which should bypass all the 2FA and let you use it as a one-time "master key." There's more information in this article: help.instagram.com/368191326593075 As I mention in the video, once you're in you'll want to be *quick* so you can change your password, disable the 2FA they set up, and enable 2FA of your own (if you don't already have either Google Passwords or Apple Passwords or Duo Mobile, you should look into those and be ready in advance. I like Duo, fwiw). If the hacker is online and paying attention once you're in, they'll receive an "unauthorized login alert" message and try to log you out again. Be prepared and quick, but also patient in case they win this battle. (More in the video) Good luck! You got this.

[@faehakhan5807]

@@RobFlaxMusic hey rob flax my instagram got hacked and hacker changed my number and email address too and put two way verification code what to do? I am not even getting video verification process, Please help me out i am very worried for my picture they can be miss used

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@faehakhan5807 You're in the right place. That's exactly what happened to me! Make sure you watch the whole video for what I did and when-there's a page you'll need to find called "my account was hacked" and you'll want them to send you a CODE, not the login link. More info here: help.instagram.com/368191326593075 Good luck!

[@kaniavaconiomodelingmelani9917]

I have s2a and got a text i didn’t request.. But now i get a challenge_required error

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Uh-oh... that's weird. Maybe time to change your passwords?

[@KevinP32270]

WOW.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Right!? I'm glad I got my account back!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

And thank you for watching, and for commenting!

[@kayenghawjvaj]

Been trying to get back in mine, everything still the same cuz I still get passcodes and stuff to my email its just not the two step code cuz it probably changed to theirs.. need help if anyone knows how..

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Sorry to hear you got hacked! If you're attempting to log in and hit a wall where the hacker has enabled two-factor authentication, you'll need to go through the steps I took. Search around in the login page until you find "my account was hacked," and then keep trying until they ask you for a video selfie review. That may also take several tries, and if you get rejected try again. Hopefully eventually IG will email you a one-time emergency login code that will override all the other stuff. I did this, logged in, and... the hacker logged me right back out! So I had to do it AGAIN. Took almost two days of trying, but I managed to get in by logging in very late at night (like 4 am), and they weren't online at that moment. If you're persistent you can make it work.

[@kayenghawjvaj]

@@RobFlaxMusic i've done the video selfie multiple times ever since I got hacked and they said that they can't give it back because they can't verify that's its me

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@kayenghawjvaj Ohh, shoot! That sucks. The good news: I had the same problem and kept re-submitting the video selfie... Got error messages five or six times but the seventh time worked. (After all, it's definitely me, and my face!) If you have your face in your photos, eventually it might work! Make sure you have stable WiFi and good lighting for the video selfie process. If you've already tried that... I guess keep trying that some more? I wish I had better suggestions but hopefully if you keep trying it will eventually work.

[@kayenghawjvaj]

@@RobFlaxMusic hopefully because my email is on there and hackers can do stuff with your email

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@kayenghawjvaj If the hackers got access to your email address, that's a bigger problem than just IG... you should make sure to change your email password too. But if that's not it, and they haven't also hacked your email account, then that shouldn't be a concern.

[@armfeel123]

So happy for you, and I love your video, you're so funny and positive even under stress!

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Thank you! I'm glad it worked out... Check out my music if you like my humor 🙂 For example search "Procrastinator's Blues" on streaming platforms. Happy listening!

[@nikbuttercup5822]

the video link was approved but the password reset link is not working

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Hmm. Not sure what that might mean! How is it not working? Say more?

[@nikbuttercup5822]

@@RobFlaxMusic ok so I Think the hackers are now one step ahead of the video way to get your account. When IG approves my video face Recognition they send me the link to reset my password. When I click the link it says link is broken or page not available 😭

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@nikbuttercup5822 Omg, that sucks! Keep trying...

[@nikbuttercup5822]

Update:I just got my account back! I didn’t give up! Thank you 😊

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@nikbuttercup5822 YAY! That's amazing! I'm so glad! Be sure to change all your passwords, remove their email address from your permissions, and set up your own two-factor authentication, just for safety to prevent it from happening again. I'm so glad!

[@mwild2198]

Wordie much

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Lol! I can't help it-I'd say it's because I was in a flustered state right after the attack... but it's also just how I am 😂 Thanks for watching

[@mwild2198]

@@RobFlaxMusic you actually helped a Lot. I’m panicked and it’s been a day only

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@mwild2198 Ah, glad to hear! Scammers and hackers totally suck. Good luck sorting it out!

[@nassima.menari]

Got hacked today - Hacker is using a separate authentication app, so literally don't know what to do. Every time I get an email from IG showing me how to recover my account, the second step authentication has been set by hacker to theirs. Please help :(((

[@RobFlaxMusic]

That sucks! I've been there-that's exactly what happened to me. Try to request an emergency login code, rather than an email link, and that should override the 2FA of the hacker. Good luck!

[@manishbhatia1867]

Hi. One of my friends got hacked in a similar way and the hacker has put up 2 factor authorisation. Could you please share the link where you submitted your video selfie to Instagram. I gotta help him get his account back.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Sure thing. Here's the info from IG: To request a login link: On the login screen, tap Get help logging in. (Android) or Forgot password? (iPhone). Enter the username, email address, or phone number associated with your account, then tap Next. Note: If you don’t know the username, email address, or phone number associated with your account, tap Need more help? below the Next button and follow the on-screen instructions. Select either your email address or phone number, then tap Send login link. Click the login link in your email or a text message (SMS) and follow the on-screen instructions. Hope that helps!

[@saraphinanoeljeune2338]

Well, I got hacked. Luckily I was able to change my email password before he got access to it. So I changed my password but the hacker has the authentication verification on his phone. I cannot login without the code. How can I get Instagram to send me a backup code to login. I verified my identity and everything but they didn’t help me with the real issue. Honestly, Instagram reps are useless 😮‍💨

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Ugh, so frustrating! You'll want them to send you an emergency login code, rather than a link... this code is one-time use and overrides all the other stuff. Search for "My account was hacked" and look for that option. More info here: help.instagram.com/368191326593075 Hope that helps!

[@saraphinanoeljeune2338]

@@richardclifford9641 nope I have not. I verified my identity but Instagram refuses to send me the third verification code so I can access it.

[@saraphinanoeljeune2338]

@@RobFlaxMusic they sent me the first verification code through my email which I used. But the third Authenticator code that the hacker set up is what’s stopping me from getting access to the page. And I explained that to the Instagram People. They were like” well we can’t provide you with that code because we don’t know if it’s really you”.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@saraphinanoeljeune2338 OMG that's infuriating!!

[@alissonsantana9062]

In my case the 2FA was not enabled, and after the attack they enabled it, generated the bkp codes and changed the recovery tel number. I was able to reset my password throught the solution provided by instagram, but they didn't revoke the attacker 2FA . So, when I try to login, the 2FA code is beeing send to the attacker, not for me. I believe it will be necessary an order by the a judge to make instaram provid me a real support.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Same here! Make sure you go through the "my account was hacked" process and get a one-time backup code emailed to you (you'll have to do a video selfie review, most likely, and it may take a few tries). Once you get that and log in, assume the hacker is also online (although you may have better luck if you try at like 4 am...) You'll likely only have a few split seconds to disable the 2FA and install one of your own once you're in... Good luck!

[@alissonsantana9062]

@@RobFlaxMusic thanks. Unfortunately my account is businesses one. There’s no personal photo in there. We trying to creat a ad in the meta business with a personal photo included. But it’s taking too long to Facebook ads to aprove the ad and publish it in the instagram. As soon as the ad gets running we’ll try the facial recognition thing. I’ll be back to tell if worked.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@alissonsantana9062 Ouch, that's rough. Good idea on the "ad with my face" strategy! Fingers crossed that works, and if so I'd love to hear from you... this is possibly a great workaround, if it works. Ahhhh, hackers suck!!

[@jaylynn5863]

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO ME TOO

[@yaisyr76]

Where did you send the video selfie. I'm looking and the information in Instagram does not include an email address

[@RobFlaxMusic]

When you attempt to log in, you should be able to find the phrase "My account was hacked", which will lead you through the video selfie process. When I did it they first asked me if I had any selfies in my profile... if your page does not include any pictures of your face they can't use facial recognition to match you, but I think there's still something else that happens. Good luck!

[@salsabillajohnson7652]

My ig got hacked with two factor authentication, I tried so many many many times with my selfish pictures but sadly because hacker use his phone and my phone and Instagram asked for pascode to me I fast reply back and then Instagram send to confirm ID to another phone which is hacker phone. So that why my Ig got hacked with two way factors. Anyone here luck in here ur ig account with thos problem??

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Oh no, that sucks! Be sure to watch the whole video... You'll need to search for "my account has been hacked" and then do a video selfie review... and try it at 4 am, when they're asleep 🙂 Good luck!

[@salsabillajohnson7652]

@@RobFlaxMusic I tried at 2 am and video selfie and but the hacker live in different country like Africa and I live in Canada. Everything look smooth until I got pascode from my phone and Instagram sent another pascode to another phone (2ff, which Instagram sent to hacker) so from this part I gave up because I did a few times an because Instagram want to make sure sent pascode to me and sent again to hacker ) I hate hacker so much, I hope they get bad bad karma.

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@salsabillajohnson7652 Ohh, that's awful! Just to clarify, you are talking about the "one-time use backup code" to log you back into your account, right? And when you say "sent to your phone and another phone" do you mean it's sending the code via SMS? Do you have a recovery email on file, and if so can you have the one-time backup code sent to your email instead of your phone? (Or do you mean, "I checked my email on my phone"?) I want to understand...

[@moonmoustache]

How do you set up 2 factor authentication?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

There's a menu in your preferences/settings, under Security. You can enable several different forms of two-factor authentication, including using a third-party app like Google Passwords, Apple Passwords, or Duo Mobile (which I used).