Is That Instagram Email a Phishing Attack? Now You Can Find Out. Check if that e-mail you received from Instagram is real or not by visiting this tab in the app's settings.

By Michael Kan

This story originally appeared on PCMag

via PCMag

Got an email from Instagram? Don't automatically assume it's legit.

On Monday, Instagram launched a new feature designed to stop phishing attacks from hackers masquerading as the social media service. "Bad actors are getting better at imitating emails from Instagram, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for people to distinguish between a genuine email and a fake one," the Facebook-owned service said.

Related: What You Need to Know About Instagram's New Creator Account

At first glance, the emails from the hackers look legitimate since they use Instagram logos. They offer verified badges, claim your account has been hacked and needs to be secured, or accuse you of violating copyrights. But the scammers just want you to click a link and type your login information into a hacker-controlled webpage.

The new feature can be found via Settings > Security > Emails From Instagram. A "Security" tab will display a list of the emails Instagram sent you within the past 14 days regarding your account security and the locations from which you've logged in. A second tab, dubbed "other," will show you any remaining emails Instagram sent to you over the same period.

"We discourage people from clicking a link in an email that claims to be from Instagram if they can't confirm we sent it. If someone accidentally clicks a suspicious link, they can request to secure their account here," the social media platform added.

Related: Is Instagram Making Your Photos and Messages Public? (Hint: No.)

To further protect your account, it's a good idea to enable the two-factor authentication. This mean anyone logging in will need to supply a password and a special one-time passcode generated on your phone to access the account. Activate it via Settings > Security > Two-Factor Authentication. Just make sure you don't hand over the special one-time passcodes to any hacker trying to phish your account.

If privacy is a top concern on Instagram, meanwhile, you'll be happy to learn that the app is doing away with the Following activity tab. It provides a running list of the likes and comments left by people you follow. But as BuzzFeed notes, it could prove embarrassing if you're liking or commenting on accounts you don't really want people to know about. It also wasn't used much, so Instagram is axing it.

"We're always trying to stay focused and keep Instagram simple," Instagram's head Adam Mosseri said in a tweet explaining the tab's removal.

Wavy Line
Michael Kan

Reporter

Michael has been a PCMag reporter since October 2017. He previously covered tech news in China from 2010 to 2015, before moving to San Francisco to write about cybersecurity.

Editor's Pick

She's Been Coding Since Age 7 and Presented Her Life-Saving App to Tim Cook Last Year. Now 17, She's on Track to Solve Even Bigger Problems.
Lock
I Helped Grow 4 Unicorns Over 10 Years That Generated $18 Billion in Online Revenues. Here's What I've Learned.
Lock
Want to Break Bad Habits and Supercharge Your Business? Use This Technique.
Lock
Don't Have Any Clients But Need Customer Testimonials? Follow These 3 Tricks To Boost Your Rep.
Why Are Some Wines More Expensive Than Others? A Top Winemaker Gives a Full-Bodied Explanation.

Related Topics

Business News

Oscar Mayer Is Changing the Name of Its Iconic Wienermobile

The company is slamming the brakes on its wiener on wheels and rolling out a new meaty ride.

Devices

Take Your Social Media Earning Potential Sky-High With This $79.97 Quadcopter

Get this beginner-friendly drone for a great price for Father's Day.

Growing a Business

Subscribers Exclusive Event: Discover How These 2 Founders Turned Their Side Hustle into a Million-Dollar Lifestyle Brand

Learn how you can transform your personal brand into a thriving business empire with co-founders of The Skinny Confidential

Health & Wellness

Sleep Better, Snore Less, and Stay Cool with This Tech-Packed Pillow, Now $49.99

Let technology help you sleep better with this 8-in-1 cooling pillow.

Business Plans

How to Change Careers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to make a career change without compromising your finances or future? Check out this step-by-step guide on how to change careers to learn more.

Business News

'All Hell Is Going to Break Loose': Barbara Corcoran Issues Warning About Real Estate Market, Interest Rates

The "Shark Tank" star appeared on FOX Business' "The Claman Countdown" this week.