It's a sad reality that thousands of social media accounts get hacked daily. In fact, a recent University of Phoenix survey found that as many as two-thirds of American adults had experienced at least one of their social media accounts being hacked. Instagram is not exempt from the hacking risk. And that's where good passwords come in.

• 5 min

• Instagram App

Step 1:Step 1

If you're accessing Instagram via a desktop browser, it's a quick and easy job to change your password. Once you're signed in to Instagram, tap your tiny avatar photo that appears at the top right of your screen.

Step 2:Step 2

In the pop-up menu that appears, click on "Settings."

Step 3:Step 3

When you're in the settings screen that next appears, look to the top of the menu on the left-hand side to see your "Change Password" option. Click on this.

Step 4:Step 4

You'll now see the change password screen.

Step 5:Step 5

Simply enter your current password and then enter your new password, twice. If you struggle to think up secure passwords off the top of your head — and who doesn't? — consider using a password generator to help you create a safe phrase.

Instagram suggests that you "change your password regularly" and that you make your password a strong one. The company advises using "a combination of at least six numbers, letters, and punctuation marks (like ! and &)." Instagram also recommends making sure your password for the site is different from passwords you use elsewhere on the internet — which is a good rule of thumb for all passwords, really.

If it's time to change up your Instagram password, here's how to do it across both desktop and mobile versions of the social network.

How to change your Instagram password on desktop

If you're accessing Instagram via a desktop browser, it's a quick and easy job to change your password. Once you're signed in to Instagram, tap your tiny avatar photo that appears at the top right of your screen. In the pop-up menu that appears, click on "Settings."

When you're in the settings screen that next appears, look to the top of the menu on the left-hand side to see your "Change Password" option. Click on this.

You'll now see the change password screen.

Simply enter your current password and then enter your new password, twice. If you struggle to think up secure passwords off the top of your head — and who doesn't? — consider using a password generator to help you create a safe phrase.

How to change your Instagram password on mobile apps

Go to your Instagram profile page by tapping on the person-shaped icon at the bottom right of your screen. From your Instagram profile, hit the three-lines menu that appears at the top right of your phone's screen. Click on "Settings."

In the next menu, select "Security."

In the security sub-menu that appears, select "Password" at the top of your screen.

This will take you through to a screen that requires you to enter your current password and then change it to a new one.

Simply enter the three passwords, and you're done — until, of course, it's time to change your password again.

Related Video: How to concoct (and remember!) an insanely secure password

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