Instagram security risks highlighted on 16th anniversary

As Instagram celebrates its 16th anniversary, experts are highlighting the risks associated with the digital footprints left on the platform. Small fragments of information, such as photos, reactions, comments, and tags, can be aggregated to create a detailed profile of a person's work, hobbies, family, and daily routines.

Andrius Archangelskis, a smart device expert at Bitė Lietuva, warns that scammers can use this data to create highly personalized deceptions, such as impersonating acquaintances or sending fake notifications regarding fines or contests. To mitigate these risks, users are advised to periodically review their public information, including old posts, location tags, and highlights.

Security recommendations include enabling two-factor authentication to prevent unauthorized access from new devices, utilizing the Passkey function for biometric or PIN-based logins, and regularly checking account access permissions. Users can also download a comprehensive copy of their data through Meta's account center to audit their information history.