Instagram and "password reset" emails: how to distinguish a real phishing alert in 30 seconds

The recent wave of Instagram posts and password reset emails has sparked panic among thousands of users, who fear losing control of their digital identity. However, there's no reason to worry: Distinguishing a real ad from a scam is possible in just 30 seconds.Learn to identify critical signs and regain your peace of mind while protecting your account today.

Instagram and "password reset" emails: how to distinguish a real phishing alert in 30 seconds

Instagram and password reset emails: Did it really happen? In January 2026, an incident occurred that generated a lot of confusion because it combines a real data breach with a technical failure of the platform itself. And that's because, Millions of users began receiving emails Instagram alerts you to password reset attempts.

In this regard, Instagram confirmed that an “external third party” exploited a bug in its system to send these password change requests en masse to thousands of people. However, it has already Meta confirmed that they patched the bug. which allowed this sending of mass emails and He claims his systems were not hacked.

Whether you're part of the group of Instagram users who receive "password reset emails" or not, it's wise to know how to distinguish a genuine phishing or online scam. Below, we've provided some tips. Quick guide to help you decide whether to click or delete an email in less than 30 seconds.

1. Check the sender and link (10 seconds)

If you received an Instagram alert and password reset emails, avoid focusing solely on the name displayed (such as “Instagram Support”). Tap or Click on the name to see the actual email address who sent the message.

• Legitimate emailIt will always come from official domains like @mail.instagram.com or @facebookmail.com
• PhishingYou'll see things like [email protected] o [email protected]

On the other hand, remember that if it is an official email, The link received should always lead to instagram.com o facebook.com (Meta). If you see a link with a long URL, numbers, hyphens, or unknown domains, be suspicious. To see the actual address, hover your mouse cursor over the link without clicking.

2. The “Safety Route” within the App (10 seconds)

Instagram and password reset emails: Did the platform really contact you? To find out, you don't need to rely on your gut feeling. There are One way to know for sure is from within the application itself.To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Open your Instagram app.
2. Go to your Profile – Settings and privacy.
3. Go to Account Center – Password and Security.
4. Look for the "Recent Emails" option.

Quick tip about Instagram and password reset emailsIf the email you received doesn't appear in the list in that section of the app, it's 100% falseThe best thing to do is delete it immediately. Also, if you never requested a password change on Instagram, you shouldn't have received an email. The fact that you received it is a clear sign of phishing.

3. Language and urgency (10 seconds)

Phishing plays on your emotions to make you act impulsively. That's why, when faced with a suspicious "Instagram" email, Pay attention to warning signs such as the following:

• ThreatsMessages that include phrases like "URGENT" or "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours if you don't act now."
• Generic greetingsThey usually say "Dear user" instead of using your real username.
• Grammatical errorsInstagram is a multi-billion dollar company. So its emails don't have spelling mistakes or phrases that sound like they were automatically translated.

If the email you received shows one or more of these signs, the best thing you can do is Ignore it or delete it immediatelyThis way, you avoid falling into the phishing trapBut what can you do if you've already fallen? Let's talk about that in the next point.

Instagram and "password reset" emails: what to do if you already clicked

Instagram and password reset emails: what to do if you've already clicked on one? If you've entered your personal information on a link you now suspect is fraudulent, the best course of action is the following.

Change your Instagram password

Changing your Instagram password is a way to protect your security, especially in light of this type of news. You can do it in less than a minute from the mobile app by following these steps:

1. Open your Instagram profile.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines (menu).
3. Select Account Center.
4. Go to the Passwords and Security section.
5. Tap on Change Password.
6. Select your Instagram account.
7. Enter your current password and then your new one (you will have to type it twice to confirm).
8. Click on the blue “Change Password” button and you're done.

Activate two-step verification

Instagram and password reset emails: Enable two-step verification for added security. To do this, follow this path within Instagram: tap your Profile – Accounts Center – Password & Security – Two-Step Authentication and select your Instagram account.

Which method should you choose? You can choose between an authenticator app (like Duo Mobile or Google Authenticator). This is the most secure and hardest to hack method because the code is generated locally on your phone. The other option is to receive a code via WhatsApp or SMS. This is more convenient, but slightly less secure than the previous method.

Close all active sessions

Instagram and password reset emails: What else can you do if you clicked on one of the links you received? An extra step is to close all active sessions except on your mobile device. This will log you out on any PC, tablet, or phone other than the one you're holding. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open your Profile.
2. Go to Account Center – Password and Security.
3. Look for the “Security checks” section and tap on “Where you logged in”.
4. Select your Instagram account and you'll see a list of connected devices.
5. Tap on “Select devices to sign out”, mark the ones you don't recognize, tap Sign out and you're done.