Hey there, ever thought about how big companies use Instagram to show off their cool baby stuff? Well, get ready because even these big companies can run into problems online. Just like some other famous names before, like PORSCHE INDIA and Hyundai India, now it’s Philips Avent India’s turn to deal with a little hiccup. Philips Avent India is a leading manufacturer of baby and childcare products, including baby bottles, breast pumps, pacifiers, and sterilizers. Their Instagram account was hacked on August 13, 2023. Yes, you read it right! This is a big reminder that everyone needs to be super careful when they’re hanging out on the internet.
The Hacking Story of Philips Avent India: What Went Wrong
The hackers changed the account’s bio and profile picture and posted a series of spammy messages. Currently, Philips Avent is still working on regaining control of the account, even several hours after the incident. Unfortunately, this unexpected event has caused quite a bit of disruption to the company’s social media activities. We’ll have to wait and see when they can…
Philips Avent India is Back
The wait is over! On September 6th, Philips Avent India successfully regained control of their hacked account and shared a post with the message, “It’s good to be back.”
Big Companies Can Have Problems Too
This hacking story shows us that even big companies can be targets for hackers. The hackers didn’t care if the company was famous – they just wanted to make trouble. This means all companies have to be super careful online. And don’t forget to check out the brands that got hacked!
Brands & Celebrities Whose Accounts Got Hacked
1. Bree Kotomah
Bree Kotomah, a young fashion designer, her Instagram was hacked in 2018. She almost quit her business after hackers deleted her Instagram account, which she used for customer inquiries and showcasing her work. Despite the setback, she persevered, rebuilt her presence, and eventually received recognition for her designs.
2. Namita Thapar
Namita Thapar, one of the judges on Shark Tank India and the Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, had her Instagram account hacked. Someone posted a personal photo of Namita to her account, asking fans to unfollow her. The photo was of Namita walking around her house with a face pack on, and it seemed to be deliberately chosen to mock her. The hacker also changed Namita’s bio to “shitty mother, shittier wife.”
3. BMW
BMW’s Instagram and Twitter accounts were hacked on December 13. The hacker posted memes related to BMW, including one that said “I am taking over now.” The hacker also changed BMW’s Twitter handle to “DEE.” BMW has not officially confirmed the hack, but it is likely that the company’s social media accounts were compromised. The hacker’s identity is still unknown.
4. KIA
Kia India’s Instagram account was hacked on December 6, 2022. The hacker posted a video message that reads “Remember us? #ly #tomy Party time 💀”. The hacker also changed the profile picture to a photo of a skull. Kia India has since regained control of the account and the original profile picture has been restored.
5. Amitabh Bacchan
Big B’s Twitter account was hacked on June 11, 2019. The hacker replaced Big B’s profile picture with that of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The hacker also tweeted several controversial statements, including one that said “Love Pakistan.” Big B’s account was restored after over 10 hours.
The list of hacked celebrity social media accounts is long and growing. In addition to the accounts mentioned, others that were hacked include those of Abhishek Bachchan, Shahid Kapoor, Nora Fatehi, PORSCHE INDIA and Hyundai India.
Also have you heard about fake copyright infringement notification?
Fake Copyright Infringement Notification on Instagram
A fake copyright infringement notification on Instagram is a phishing scam that is designed to steal your Instagram account information. The scam message appears to come from Instagram Support and warns users that their account will be closed if they do not provide feedback about a copyright violation. The message includes a link that, when clicked, takes users to a phishing page that looks like the real Instagram login page. If users enter their login credentials on the phishing page, the hackers will be able to steal their account information.
Esha Deol, a popular Bollywood actress, also fell victim to a phishing scam on Instagram. The scam involved a fake copyright infringement notification that was sent to her DM. The notification looked like it was from Instagram Support, and it warned Deol that her account would be closed if she did not provide feedback about a copyright violation. Deol clicked on the link in the notification, which took her to a fake Instagram login page. When she entered her login credentials on the page, the hackers were able to steal her account information.
How to Keep Safe Online and Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams on Instagram
- Make Strong Passwords: Use passwords that are hard to guess. It should be at least 12 characters long and includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t use the same password everywhere.
- Use Two-Factor Authentication: This is like adding an extra lock to your account. After you put in your password, you need to type in a special code from your phone. This makes it really hard for hackers to get in.
- Watch Out for Tricky Emails: Sometimes hackers send fake emails to trick you. Don’t click on links in strange emails or share your personal stuff unless you’re sure it’s real.
- Keep Eye on Unknown Messages: Do not click on any links in messages from unknown senders.
- Beware from Fraud Messages: If you receive a message from ‘Instagram Support’ or Instagram Copyright’, verify the sender’s identity by checking the sender’s profile picture, bio, and verified badge.
- Be careful where you enter your login information: Never enter your login credentials on a page that you did not initiate yourself.
- Check Your Accounts a Lot: Keep an eye on your Instagram and other accounts. If things look weird or changed without you doing it, act fast.
- Only Let Certain People In: Don’t give everyone access to your account. Only let the important people control things.
- Have a Plan for Problems: Get ready for the worst by making a plan for what to do if your account gets hacked. Write down the steps to take, who to tell, and how to let people know.
Instagram Tests process to quickly recover hacked accounts
Instagram uses a new process to make it easier for users to recover their hacked accounts. The new process will ask you to enter your e-mail ID or phone number and will send a six digit code to your device, recognizing whether it’s a hacker trying to login from a different device or the original user trying to login from the native device.
This process has the potential to make a big difference for users who have had their accounts hacked. By making it easier for users to regain access to their accounts, Instagram can help to protect their users’ data and prevent them from losing access to their valuable content.
Conclusion: Philips Avent India account hacked
Just like PORSCHE INDIA and Hyundai India, now Philips Avent India’s Instagram account got hacked. This shows that it doesn’t matter if your company is big – you have to be careful online. To stay safe, use strong passwords, get the extra protection of two-factor, be careful with emails, keep checking your accounts, let only special people control them, beware from fake copyright infringement notification on Instagram and be ready with a plan if things go wrong. This way, you can stay safe in the online world and protect your company’s name and your customers.
