In recent days, several Instagram users noticed suspicious activity on their accounts after receiving password reset emails they had not requested. The messages appeared official. It asked users to confirm or change their passwords. It led many people to fear a security breach.
Reports also surfaced that data from millions of accounts had been posted on online forums. However, Meta clarified that the issue was caused by an external party triggering the reset emails and not by hackers breaking into Instagram’s systems. The company has since resolved the issue and confirmed that the accounts remain secure.
We fixed an issue that let an external party request password reset emails for some people. There was no breach of our systems and your Instagram accounts are secure.
You can ignore those emails — sorry for any confusion.
— Instagram (@instagram) January 11, 2026
What Instagram Is Saying And What Users Should Do
Instagram asked users not to panic. Officials said that receiving a reset email does not always mean a hack has occurred. Sometimes, someone may type an address by mistake and trigger a reset message.
The company also reminded users that official Instagram emails will come only from addresses ending in @mail.instagram.com. If the email is from a different source, it could be a phishing attempt.
Instagram also suggested these steps for better security:
- Ignore any email you did not request.
- Do not click links in suspicious messages.
- Open the app to check recent account activity.
- Consider turning on two-factor authentication.
Why This Matters To Users
While the rise of such messages may relate to leaked account data seen on dark web forums, Instagram was clear that its systems were not breached and user accounts remain safe.
In the end, trust and transparency remain the pillars of online security. Still, users are advised to stay alert and follow basic online safety to protect their accounts.
