Following account hacks, Instagram will finally support third party 2FA apps

About time, Instagram.

On Tuesday, Instagram announced several changes intended to improve security for its 1 billion users. Among the changes is the ability to use third party authenticator apps to log in to Instagram, including DUO Mobile and Google Authenticator.

Instagram did not previously support this capability, although it did allow for 2-factor authentication (2FA) with text messages.

The change comes in the wake of a host of account attacks, as Mashable previously reported. Without notice or explanation, hundreds of people and Instagram-dependent business have been getting locked out of their accounts, even affecting some accounts with 2FA enabled. The hacks have raised questions about Instagram's fundamental security, and its ability to adequately respond to security complaints. The inability to use a third party authenticator app may have been part of the problem, and in response earlier this month, Instagram promised to make this change. Read more...