This is a dataset containing all the major data breaches in the world from 2004 to 2021

As we know, there is a big issue related to the privacy of our data. Many major companies in the world still to this day face this issue every single day. Even with a great team of people working on their security, many still suffer. In order to tackle this situation, it is only right that we must study this issue in great depth and therefore I pulled this data from Wikipedia to conduct data analysis. I would encourage others to take a look at this as well and find as many insights as possible.

This data contains 5 columns: 1. Entity: The name of the company, organization or institute 2. Year: In what year did the data breach took place 3. Records: How many records were compromised (can include information like email, passwords etc.) 4. Organization type: Which sector does the organization belong to 5. Method: Was it hacked? Were the files lost? Was it an inside job?

Here is the source for the dataset: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_data_breaches

Here is the GitHub link for a guide on how it was scraped: https://github.com/hishaamarmghan/Data-Breaches-Scraping-Cleaning

Updated: 07/15/2025

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, Instagram remains a powerhouse for personal expression, business promotion, and social connection. However, with its immense popularity comes the looming threat of cyberattacks and account hacks. As of July 2025, safeguarding your Instagram account is more crucial than ever. This guide delves deep into the intricacies of Hacking your Instagram, offering actionable insights and up-to-date strategies to keep your digital presence secure.

Understanding the Landscape: Why Instagram Security Matters For For US, UK, AU, CA, DE, IT, RO

Instagram isn't just a platform for sharing photos and stories; it's a significant part of many people's lives across countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and beyond. With millions of users worldwide, understanding how to Hack your Instagram accountis essential to prevent unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential misuse of your personal information.

What Exactly Happens When Someone Hacks an Instagram Account?

Hacking an Instagram account involves unauthorized individuals gaining access to your personal information, posts, messages, and sometimes even financial details. This breach can occur through various methods, including phishing scams, weak passwords, or exploiting vulnerabilities in the platform. Once compromised, hackers can misuse your account for malicious purposes, tarnishing your reputation or extracting sensitive data. Defining a Hacked Instagram Account

A hacked Instagram account is one where the security has been breached, allowing someone other than the rightful owner to access and control the account. Indicators of such a breach include unfamiliar posts, changed passwords, unauthorized messages, and altered profile information. Recognizing these signs early is crucial in mitigating potential damage.

The Motives Behind Instagram Account Hacks

Why do hackers target Instagram accounts? The purposes vary: 1. Personal Gain: Stealing sensitive information or financial details for profit. 2. Reputation Damage: Posting inappropriate or harmful content to tarnish an individual’s or brand’s image. 3. Data Harvesting: Collecting personal data for further cyberattacks or selling it on the dark web. 4. Spreading Malware: Using the account to distribute malicious links or software to followers. Understanding these motives helps in comprehending the severity and diverse risks associated with Instagram hacks.

How Are Instagram Accounts Typically Hacked?

Several methods are employed by cybercriminals to compromise Instagram accounts: 1. Phishing Scams: Deceptive emails or messages tricking users into providing their login credentials. 2. Weak Passwords: Easily guessable or reused passwords make accounts susceptible to brute-force attacks. 3. Malware: Malicious software installed on a device that captures keystrokes or hijacks sessions. 4. Social Engineering: Manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information. 5. Exploiting Vulnerabilities: Taking advantage of flaws in Instagram’s security infrastructure.

Staying informed about these methods is the first step in fortifying your account against potential threats. Spotting the Danger: Warning Signs of a Hacked Instagram Account

How can you tell if your Instagram account has been hacked? Here are some warning signs to watch for: - Unusual Activity: Unexpected posts, stories, or messages appearing on your account. - Password Issues: Difficulty logging in or receiving password reset emails you didn’t request. - Changed Information: Altered profile details like your bio, email, or phone number. - Unauthorized Apps: Suspicious third-party apps connected to your account.

To confirm a hack, check your account’s login activity, review connected devices, and look for any changes you didn’t make. Taking swift action can prevent further compromise. Recovering Your Hacked Instagram Account: A Step-by-Step Guide If you suspect your Instagram account has been hacked, follow these detailed steps tailored for every possible scenario:

1. Lost Email Access If you can’t access the email associated with your Instagram:
2. Use Your Phone Number: Try logging in with your phone number. Instagram will send a login link.
3. Contact Instagram Support: Reach out through the Help Center, providing identification to verify your identity.
4. Secure Your Email: If your email is compromised, secure it by resetting the password and enabling two-factor authentication.
5. Forgotten Password When you’ve forgotten your password:
6. Reset Password: Use the "Forgot Password" feature on the Instagram login page. Enter your username, email, or phone number to receive a reset link.
7. Check Email for Reset Link: Follow the instructions in the email to create a new password.
8. Create a Strong Password: Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to enhance security.
9. Changed Phone Number If the hacker has changed your phone number:
10. Use Email Recovery: Utilize your registered email to reset the password.
11. Contact Instagram Support: Provide proof of account ownership to regain access.
12. Update Security Settings: Once recovered, immediately update your contact information and secure your account.
13. Blocked Account If your account is blocked due to suspicious activity:
14. Submit an Appeal: Use the in-app support to appeal the block, providing required identification.
15. Follow Instructions: Instagram may ask for a photo of yourself holding a code to verify your identity.
16. Wait for Response: It may take a few days for Instagram to process your appeal.
17. Identity Verification Issues When verification is challenging:
18. Provide Accurate Information: Ensure all information matches your official documents.
19. Reach Out to Support: Use the Help Center to get assistance from Instagram’s support team.
20. Maintain Consistent Documentation: Keep all your identification documents updated and accessible.
21. Hacked Email Account If your email is hacked alongside Instagram:
22. Secure Your Email First: Reset your email password and enable two-factor authentication.
23. Use Backup Email or Phone: Access Instagram using alternative recovery options.
24. Notify Contacts: Inform your contacts about the breach to prevent further phishing attempts.
25. No Access to Recovery Options When all recovery options are inaccessible:
26. Contact Instagram Directly: Use the in-app reporting tools to explain your situation.
27. Provide Detailed Information: Include previous passwords, linked email addresses, and phone numbers.
28. Be Patient and Persistent: Recovery may take time, but consistent follow-up can aid the process. Personal Anecdote: I once assisted a friend in Australia whose Instagram was hacked. After following these steps diligently, we successfully recovered the account within a week. Persistence and accurate information were key! Case Study: A German Influencer’s Recovery Journey A prominent influencer from Germany faced a severe hack where the perpetrator posted inappropriate content. By swiftly resetting the password, enabling two-factor authentication, and reaching out to Instagram support with proof of identity, the influencer regained control within 48 hours, minimizing reputational damage. Quote: "Security is not a product, but a process." – Bruce Schneier The Gravity of Instagram Hacks: Why It Matters Hacking a social media account like Instagram can lead to:
29. Identity Theft: Personal information can be misused for fraudulent activities.
30. Reputation Damage: Unauthorized posts can harm personal or professional reputations.
31. Financial Loss: Linked financial accounts or payment methods can be exploited.
32. Privacy Breaches: Personal photos and messages can be leaked or used maliciously. These consequences underscore the importance of proactive security measures to Hack your digital identity. Securing Your Instagram: Step-by-Step Hackion Strategies To Hack your Instagram accountfrom threats, follow these essential steps:
33. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security beyond just your password.
34. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid common phrases and reuse across different platforms.
35. Be Cautious with Third-Party Apps: Only authorize trusted applications and regularly review connected apps.
36. Regularly Update Your Password: Change your password periodically to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
37. Monitor Account Activity: Keep an eye on login activity and recent changes to your account. Fun Joke: Why don't hackers ever get lost? Because they always follow the phishing trails! – Anonymous Practical Tip: Utilize mobile-friendly security apps like Authy or Google Authenticator to manage your 2FA codes on the go. The Top 5 Tools to Fortify Your Instagram Account Harnessing the right tools can significantly enhance your Instagram security. Here are the top five Instagram Hackers:
38. Password Managers (e.g., LastPass): Generate and store complex passwords securely.
39. Authy: Provides robust two-factor authentication, ensuring only you access your account.
40. Norton Mobile Security: Hacks against malware and phishing attempts on your mobile device.
41. Social Fixer: Helps monitor and manage your social media interactions, reducing the risk of social engineering attacks.
42. Bitdefender: Offers comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, including antivirus and anti-phishing features. These tools are mobile-friendly, ensuring you can secure your account wherever you are. Weighing the Risks: The Consequences of Instagram Hacking The ramifications of hacking an Instagram account extend beyond personal inconvenience:
43. Legal Repercussions: Unauthorized access is illegal and punishable by law in many countries.
44. Emotional Distress: Victims often experience stress and anxiety due to privacy infringements.
45. Economic Impact: Businesses may suffer financial losses from compromised accounts affecting sales and brand trust.
46. Data

Data is sourced from Information is Beautiful, with the graphic coming from the same group here.

There's lots of additional information about password quality & strength in the source Doc. Please note that the "strength" column in this dataset is relative to these common aka "bad" passwords and YOU SHOULDN'T USE ANY OF THEM!

Wikipedia has a nice article on password strength as well.

Data Dictionary

passwords.csv

According to Cognitive Market Research, the Global Password Manager Software Market Size was USD XX Billion in 2024 and is set to achieve a market size of USD XX Billion by the end of 2031 growing at a CAGR of XX% from 2024 to 2033.

North America held largest share of XX% in the year 2024 
Europe held share of XX% in the year 2024 
Asia-Pacific held significant share of XX% in the year 2024 
South America held significant share of XX% in the year 2024
Middle East and Africa held significant share of XX% in the year 2024 

Market Dynamics of the Password Manager Software Market:

Key Driver of the market-

Rise of remote work and digital transformation drive growth in the Password Manager Software Market- 

The shift towards remote work since the pandemic led to reliance on digital platforms for calls, meetings, and work resulting in the necessity of password management. Establishing strong password policies through password manager software to safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access. Password management should include some factors such as- A password should be lengthy, and complex including letters, numbers, characters, and symbols to enhance security. Companies must have a policy from password manager software to change the password to maintain security. Stricter rules play an important role in password security to prevent severe damage. Password plays an important role in the digitalization era. Remote work security is important in cloud-based technologies. Increasing remote work and digitalization led to an increase in major attack surfaces. To avoid a breach of data and sensitive information, the password manager software market offers security through different types of password management solutions. The integration of familiar password management solutions in an enterprise setting smooths the adoption and helps companies to sort out problems like employee buy-in. Therefore, rise of remote work and digital transformation drive growth in the Password Manager Software Market.

Restraint of the market-

Increasing cyberattacks on password manager software may hamper the growth of the Password Manager Software Market- 

Password stores are considered as repositories to manage and protect sensitive authentication data, including usernames, passwords, encryption keys, and other credentials. These stores include password managers in browsers such as Chrome and Forefox, Windows Credential Managers, and password managers such as LastPass, 1Password, and Bitwarden.

Cyberattacks happen every day and grow rapidly in recent years. Breaches in famous password managers raised concerns about cyber security risks. For instance, in 2022, the password manager LastPass was hacked by hackers through the corporate laptop of software engineer. This breach includes the theft and threat to source code and technical documentation. In 2023, the second hack with 1Password linked to Okta’s support system. This incident leads to focus continuous vigilance, and robust security measures. The Bitwarden users faced phishing attacks through Google ads to breach their usernames and passwords. Therefore, increasing cyberattacks on password manager software may hamper the growth of the Password Manager Software Market.

Impact of Covid-19 on the Password Manager Software Market

During the COVID-19 outbreak, the number of cyberattacks has been drastically increasing, boosting the growth of the market. Moreover, this has adversely affected individuals, businesses, and organizations. Employees working from home, lack of information about the spreading outbreak, and growing public fears led the hackers to test a wide range of cyber attack methods and receive financial profit. Additionally, some affected organizations are investing in financial resources to fix the current inefficient data and password management systems. This threat of cyber attacks is expected to last longer than the COVID-19 pandemic boosting the growth of the market. Introduction of Password Manager Software Market-

Password Manager Software is a program that helps you securely store, generate, and manage passwords for different online accounts making it easier to create and use strong and unique passwords without memorizing them. It is a software application and digital vault that securely stores, organizes, and manages all online credent...

Snapshot img { margin: 10px !important; } Report Scope of the Enterprise IT Security Market: Presenting the current market scenario and growth prospects of the Global Enterprise IT Security Market for the period 2015-2019. Analysts have calculated the size of the Enterprise IT Security Market considering the following:Revenue generated from the sales of enterprise IT security components such as enterprise network security, enterprise endpoint security, enterprise content security, and enterprise cyber securityConsolidated revenues generated from the key regions: Americas, EMEA, and APACThis report includes a discussion on the vendor landscape and a corresponding detailed analysis of the major five vendors in the market. The report estimates the Enterprise IT Security Market to grow steadily at a rate of around 8% during the forecast period.Market Opportunity of Enterprise IT Security:Advanced workflow in enterprises requires uninterrupted connectivity between enterprise networks and employee devices. Owing to a growing demand for employee mobility, enterprises are adopting mobile friendly policies to ease the use of laptops, cell phones, and other handheld devices at the workplace. Thus, issues concerning storage and accessibility of business critical data mandate the implementation of enterprise IT security. Companies are increasingly adopting enterprise IT security solutions to secure their networks from threats while providing secure access to confidential information.The market is witnessing a greater demand for SaaS-based security solutions. The ongoing trend will continue to impact the market positively during the forecast period. End users, both large enterprises and SMEs, prefer these security solutions because they are cost-effective and manageable. As technologies advance and converge, the range of solutions will continue to expand and appeal to enterprises that are vulnerable to attacks.Key Events on Data Breaches and Attacks:Target (US retail store): hackers stole 70 million customer's credit and debit card informationNeiman Marcus (US retail store): Credit card information of customers was stolen and some of the credit cards used for fraudulent purposesMichaels (US retail store): hackers attempted to gain access to payment card information for nearly 94,000 shoppers Yahoo Mail (US Communications): Some of its customers email accounts were targeted by hackers to obtain customer usernames and passwords that left many users without email access for dayseBay (US online retail): Hackers accessed personal data of all 145 million users and obtained credentials of three corporate employeesSnapsave (Communications): It is an iOS app, an instant photo-sharing app. The photos of 200,000 users hacked from SnapsaveAn increase in data theft and forgeries has affected many industries, leading to the increased demand for enterprise IT security solutions. Major threats to enterprise data involve the following:Trojan Virus Worms Adware Keylogger Backdoor Exploit Dropper Phishing Cookies Bluesnarfing Boot Sector Virus Mousetrapping Browser Hijackers Obfuscated Spam CrimewareVendor Landscape of the Enterprise IT Security Market:The market is replete with intense competition, rapid advances in technology, and frequent changes in end-user preferences.The market has many local players and large multinational vendors. Large vendors are acquiring small vendors to expand their product portfolio and to boost their market share. Therefore, to survive in this intensely competitive environment, it has become imperative for vendors to distinguish their products and service offerings through clear and unique value propositions.Top companies in the Enterprise IT Security Market include-Cisco Kaspersky McAfee Symantec Trend MicroOther prominent vendors in the market include Avast, AVG , Citrix , CheckPoint, Dell , Emc², Fortinet, F-Secure, HP, IBM, Juniper, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, Panda Security and SophosKey Takeaway From the Report on Enterprise IT Security:Understand the Emerging IT Security Impact of Cyber Threats on BYOD adoption in Enterprises Understand the Key Components of the Enterprise IT Security Market Market Share and Analysis of Enterprise IT Security by Security Components Key Drivers and their Impact on the Enterprise IT Security Market Key Challenges and their Impact on the Enterprise IT Security Market Key Trends and their Impact on the Enterprise IT Security Market Five Forces Analysis of the Enterprise IT Security Market SWOT Analysis of Key Vendors of the Enterprise IT Security MarketTechnavio also offers customization on reports based upon the specific client requirement.Other Related Reports:Global Enterprise Cyber Security Market 2015-2019 IT Security Market in China 2015-2019 Global Mobile Enterprise Security Software Market 2014-2018