How Hackers Hack Instagram With Bruteforce
How hackers Hack Instagram with bruteforce
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over one billion monthly active users. However, this also makes it a tempting target for hackers who want to gain access to other people's accounts and personal information. In this article, we will explain how hackers can hack Instagram accounts using a technique called brute force attack, and what you can do to protect yourself from it.
What is a brute force attack?
A brute force attack is a method of cracking passwords by trying every possible combination of characters until the correct one is found. For example, if the password is four digits long, a brute force attack would try all the combinations from 0000 to 9999 until it finds the right one. This can be done manually or with the help of automated tools that can make thousands of guesses per second.
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Brute force attacks are usually effective against weak passwords that are short, simple, or common. However, they can also be used against stronger passwords that have a limited number of possible combinations, such as numeric codes or PINs.
How hackers hack Instagram with brute force
Hackers can use brute force attacks to hack Instagram accounts in two ways: by exploiting vulnerabilities in the mobile authentication process or by exploiting vulnerabilities in the web registration process.
Mobile authentication process
The mobile authentication process is the one that you use when you log in to your Instagram account from your smartphone or tablet. It requires you to enter your username and password, and sometimes a verification code that is sent to your phone number or email address.
In 2016, a security researcher named Arne Swinnen discovered two vulnerabilities in the mobile authentication process that allowed hackers to brute force their way into user accounts. The first vulnerability was an implementation bug that allowed hackers to make 1000 guesses from each unique IP address before being blocked by rate limiting. The second vulnerability was a lack of additional security controls, such as account lockout or fraud detection, that would prevent hackers from logging in after finding the correct password.
Swinnen reported these vulnerabilities to Facebook, which owns Instagram, and received a reward as part of their bug bounty program. Facebook then patched these vulnerabilities and improved their security measures. However, this does not mean that the mobile authentication process is completely secure from brute force attacks, as hackers may still find new ways to bypass the rate limiting or other protections.
Web registration process
The web registration process is the one that you use when you create a new Instagram account from your browser. It requires you to enter your email address, username, and password, and sometimes a verification code that is sent to your email address.
In 2016, Swinnen also discovered a vulnerability in the web registration process that allowed hackers to brute force their way into user accounts. The vulnerability was a scripting error that revealed the credentials oracle, which is a system that tells whether a username and password combination is valid or not. By stripping all the parameters except username and password, Swinnen was able to launch a brute force attack against any account without being blocked by any security mechanism.
Swinnen also reported this vulnerability to Facebook and received another reward. Facebook then fixed this vulnerability and added more security features. However, this also does not mean that the web registration process is completely secure from brute force attacks, as hackers may still find new ways to exploit it.
How to protect yourself from brute force attacks
Brute force attacks are not only a threat to Instagram accounts, but also to any online account that requires a password. Therefore, it is important to take some precautions to protect yourself from these attacks. Here are some tips:
Use strong passwords that are long, complex, and unique. Avoid using common words, names, dates, or sequences that can be easily guessed. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. You can also use a password manager to generate and store your passwords securely.
Use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code that is sent to your phone or email address after entering your password. This makes it harder for hackers to access your account even if they know your password.
Do not reuse your passwords across different accounts. If one of your accounts is compromised, hackers may try to use the same password to access your other accounts. Therefore, it is better to have a different password for each account.
Do not share your passwords with anyone. Do not write them down or store them in plain text. Do not enter them on untrusted devices or websites. Do not respond to phishing emails or messages that ask for your passwords.
Change your passwords regularly. This can help you prevent hackers from using old passwords that may have been leaked or stolen. You can also use a password manager to remind you when to change your passwords.
By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to brute force attacks and keep your Instagram account and other online accounts safe and secure.
References
This article was based on the following sources:
[How to break Instagram with brute force]
[Hacking: Brute force attack on Instagram]
[How any Instagram account could be hacked in less than 10 minutes]