Instagram says accounts 'are safe' after wave of suspicious password reset requests

If you happen to acquired a bunch of password reset requests from Instagram lately, you are not alone. Malwarebytes, an antivirus software program firm, initially reported that there was an information breach revealing the “delicate data” of 17.5 million Instagram customers. Malwarebytes added that the leak included Instagram usernames, bodily addresses, cellphone numbers, electronic mail addresses and extra. Nonetheless, Instagram stated there was no breach and that person accounts had been “safe.”

In Malwarebytes put up, the corporate added that the “knowledge is obtainable on the market on the darkish internet and will be abused by cybercriminals.” Malwarebytes famous in an electronic mail to its prospects that it found the breach throughout its routine darkish internet scan and that it is tied to a possible incident associated to an Instagram API publicity from 2024.

The reported breach has resulted in customers receiving a number of emails from Instagram about password reset requests. In response to Malwarebytes, the leaked data might result in extra critical assaults, like phishing makes an attempt or account takeovers. In response, Instagram posted on X that customers can ignore the latest emails requesting password resets.

“We mounted a problem that permit an exterior celebration request password reset emails for some folks,” Instagram’s put up on X learn. “There was no breach of our methods and your Instagram accounts are safe.”

Whereas Instagram stated this is not an information breach, its mother or father firm has been in scorching water for knowledge breaches previously. If you have not already, it is at all times a good suggestion to activate two-factor authentication and alter your password. Even higher, you’ll be able to overview what gadgets are logged into your Instagram account in Meta’s Accounts Heart.

Replace, January 11, 2026, 11:10AM ET: This story and its headline have been up to date with Instagram’s assertion that was posted on X.