04.03.24

Double up your defense: activate two-factor authentication for Instagram

Love sharing your life on Instagram? Awesome! But with great online fun comes great online responsibility. Adding an extra layer of security to your account is key, and that’s where two-factor authentication (2FA) comes in.

Think of 2FA as a security guard for your Instagram account. It requires an additional code on top of your password when you log in. This extra step makes it much harder for anyone to hack into your account, even if they steal your password.

Here’s how to activate your Instagram security guard:

  1. Open the Instagram app and tap your profile picture in the bottom right corner.
  2. Go to “Settings”.
  3. Tap on “Security”.
  4. Look for “Two-Factor Authentication”.
  5. There, you can choose how you want to receive the extra code:
    • Text Message (SMS): This sends the code to your phone number. Easy, but not the most secure option.
    • Authentication App: This is the more secure choice. Download a free app like Google Authenticator or Authy, and it will generate unique codes for your Instagram logins.

Once you choose your method, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.