Instagram is taking security measures by providing certain features to their app which restricts who can login in. Instagram is committed to keeping it a safe place for everyone and building tools that safeguard self-expression.
By adding another layer of security, Instagram’s two-factor authentication requires users to enter a six-digit code every time they log in. When the two-factor authentication is enabled, through clicking the gear icon, Instagram will send a message with a code to the phone number that is connected to the account.
The code sent to the user every time they try to login in is a way to ensure the user has requested to enter their account. It is a feature that provides difficult access to the user’s account since anyone who wants to gain access to the Instagram account will need to have the phone the code is being sent to.
The two-factor authentication is a feature which is optional to the users which can be easily turned on and off. When the feature is turned on, then the user should provide or ensure there is a phone number to connect the account to. Once the feature is on and the code is entered after being sent, Instagram will give the option of screenshotting a list of back up codes. The backup codes will grant access to the user’s account in place of the one code when there is no phone service provided.
Instagram encourages users to consider using the two-factor authentication for their app as well as other accounts that might already have this feature. This, however, does not mean that it provides a solution. It just means two-factor authentication is helping reduce the risk of having accounts being hacked.
Another feature Instagram has introduced is the filtering of sensitive images and videos. This new system will flag and blur mature content which Instagram’s review team will decide on whether there is a need to have a filter. The filter will only appear if someone within the community reports posts that the Instagram review team will screen followed by a confirmation.
The blurred screen will appear over the sensitive images and videos in the users’ feeds or when the user is looking at another’s profile. To reveal the image or video the user will simply have to tap the screen to see it.
Security is important to users who send sensitive images through their private, direct messages or private feeds which this new feature will provide.
Among these two security measure features, Instagram has provided a site with information of personal cyber hygiene as well as tools that users can use such as comment controls and photo tagging to name a few.
