Instagram is a great app for sharing your photos with your friends. But you also want to make sure your photos are not shared with everyone, so personal information does not fall into the wrong hands. Below are some security tips you can follow when using Instagram.
Managing the Privacy Setting of Your Feed
When you publish a snapshot to your Instagram photo feed, anyone can view it. Luckily, you can change this default setting to only allow your friends and hand picked people to view it.
Apple iOS
- Go to your profile by tapping
- Tap
- Turn on the Private Account setting
Android
- Go to your profile by tapping
- Tap
- Turn on the Private Account setting
Windows Phone
- Go to your profile by tapping
- Tap Edit Profile
- Turn on the Posts are Private setting by checking the box and then tap the check mark to save your changes
Delete Personal Information from Your Profile
Those who follow you on Instagram can view everything in your Instagram profile. The only thing you really need in your profile is your username, which could be anything.
Remove Your Photos From Instagram’s Map
Instagram has a default that pins your photos to a map that’s viewable from your profile. While this is a neat feature, it also allow anyone following you to know exactly where you are, such as your home address or when you are not at home. This is a security issue, so you should think twice before using this feature.
Before sharing a photo on Instagram, you have the option of clicking the Add to your Photo Map setting on the final confirmation page. Before you do so, be sure to ask yourself if this is the right thing to do.
Share Photos Only With Those You Indicate
A new feature called Instagram Direct allows you to choose who can see your latest photo.
After taking a new photo using the Instagram app, tap the Direct tab on the final confirmation page. This displays a list of all of your Instagram followers.
Scroll down and select only the ones with whom you want to share the photo.