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Instagram warns users about a new scam circulating that tries to steal your login details

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Instagram warns users about a new scam that tries to steal your login details by faking a ‘copyright violation’

  • Instagram has warned users about the copyright scam on Twitter
  • It claims a copyright violation has been detected in a post on your account 
  • It prompts you to click on a link to ‘give feedback’, and asks for your login details
  • Instagram has advised that users should not click on the link or reply 

By Shivali Best For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

With over one billion active users, Instagram is without a doubt one of the most popular social media apps around the world.

But if you use Instagram, make sure you’re wary of any unusual messages in your DMs.

Instagram has warned users about a new scam that is circulating that tries to steal your login details by faking a ‘copyright violation.’

While the message appears to be from the ‘Instagram Copyright Help Centre’, Instagram has confirmed that it will never DM users about copyright violations, and advises that users should not click or reply on any links in the messages.

Instagram has warned users about a new scam that is circulating that tries to steal your login details by faking a 'copyright violation'

Instagram has warned users about a new scam that is circulating that tries to steal your login details by faking a ‘copyright violation’

The scam message 

The full scam message reads: 

 Hi Dear User,

A copyright violation has been detected in a post on your account. If you think copyright infringement is wrong, you should provide feedback. Otherwise, your account will be closed within 24 hours. You can give feedback from the link below. Thank you for your understanding.’ 

Instagram warned its users about the scam on Twitter.

The scam message reads: ‘A copyright violation has been detected in a post on your account. If you think copyright infringement is wrong, you should provide feedback. Otherwise, your account will be closed within 24 hours.’

The message then prompts users to click on a link to ‘give feedback’.

Worryingly, if you unknowingly click on the link, you’ll be asked to enter your username and password, giving scammers access to your personal details. 

Instagram has confirmed that it will never DM its users about copyright issues.

It said: ‘Instagram will never DM you about Copyright violations or ever ask for any of your personal details like passwords etc.

‘Do not click or reply.’

The social media app also warned users to be wary of any emails that appear to be from Instagram. 

The scam message reads: 'A copyright violation has been detected in a post on your account. If you think copyright infringement is wrong, you should provide feedback. Otherwise, your account will be closed within 24 hours'

The scam message reads: ‘A copyright violation has been detected in a post on your account. If you think copyright infringement is wrong, you should provide feedback. Otherwise, your account will be closed within 24 hours’

Thankfully, if you ever receive an email that appears to be from Instagram, there’s an easy way to check if it’s legitimate. 

Simply open the Instagram app, and tap on Settings > Security > Emails from Instagram. 

You’ll then be able to see any security and login emails sent from Instagram in the last 14 days. 

Thankfully, if you ever receive an email that appears to be from Instagram, there's an easy way to check if it's legitimate

Thankfully, if you ever receive an email that appears to be from Instagram, there’s an easy way to check if it’s legitimate

Instagram also advises turning on two-factor authentication to boost the security on your account.

It said: ‘Two-factor authentication is a security feature. If you set up two-factor authentication, you’ll be asked to enter a special login code or confirm your login attempt each time someone tries accessing Instagram from a device we don’t recognise.’ 

To activate it, tap on Settings > Security > Two-factor authentication, and select whether you’d like to use an authentication app, or be sent a text message every time you login to your account.  

Instagram launches crackdown on fake accounts with new feature giving users more information

Instagram has launched a crackdown on fake accounts, introducing a new feature showing users information about who is really behind a username.

The Photo-sharing app’ more than 1 billion users will now be able to evaluate the authenticity of accounts, weeks after parent Facebook rolled out similar measures in a bid to weed out fake accounts on its social media platform.

The ‘About This Account’ feature will allow users to see the advertisements an account is running, the country where the account is located, username changes in the past year as well as other details.

To learn more about an account, go to their Profile, tap the … menu and then select ‘About This Account.’ 

There, you will see the date the account joined Instagram, the country where the account is located, accounts with shared followers, any username changes in the last year and any ads the account is currently running. 

Instagram also plans to significantly boost the number of verified accounts for public figures, celebrities, and global brands. 

Along with the account username, applicants will need to provide full real names and a copy of legal or business identification.

Instagram also said it will allow the use of third-party apps such as DUO Mobile and Google Authenticator for two-factor authentication to help users securely log in to their accounts.

source: dailymail.co.uk