Instabrute: A Tool for Brute Forcing Instagram Accounts (Deprecated)

In the realm of cybersecurity, penetration testing tools have become essential for ethical hackers and security researchers. One such tool is Instabrute, a program designed to brute force Instagram accounts. While it may no longer be actively maintained and could be considered deprecated, it still serves as an interesting proof of concept (PoC) for educational purposes, showing how brute force attacks can be executed on social media platforms like Instagram.

What is Instabrute?

Instabrute is a command-line tool that can be used to perform brute force attacks on Instagram login pages. In simpler terms, it attempts to guess the username and password combination of an Instagram account by trying many different possibilities, typically using a list of commonly used passwords or custom password lists.

Brute force attacks work by systematically attempting all combinations of a particular type of password until the correct one is found. While this method can be time-consuming, it can also be effective if weak passwords are used. For Instagram, Instabrute allows users to target specific accounts and try to crack their passwords using pre-configured lists of passwords, which often include common and weak combinations.

Important note: Instabrute has been marked as deprecated—this means that it may not work as expected due to changes in Instagram’s security mechanisms or API. It is primarily used as a proof of concept (PoC) for educational purposes rather than a tool for active exploitation. Brute-forcing social media accounts without permission is illegal and unethical, so it is essential to use such tools responsibly and only in authorized environments.

How Does Instabrute Work?

Instabrute utilizes a fairly simple brute force algorithm to attack Instagram accounts. It works by:

1. Taking a list of usernames and passwords.
2. Iterating through the password list for each username.
3. Sending login requests to Instagram using the guessed username and password combinations.
4. If the login is successful, the script stops.

The tool does not rely on any advanced techniques like rainbow tables or dictionary attacks, instead focusing on sheer volume—trying many common or simple passwords in rapid succession. The success of such attacks often depends on the strength of the targeted account's password and the protections in place by Instagram (such as rate limiting, CAPTCHA, and two-factor authentication).

Setting Up Instabrute

Despite being deprecated, you may still want to explore how Instabrute works, particularly if you’re looking to understand the basics of brute-forcing attacks. Below is a guide on how to run Instabrute on a Linux operating system. Keep in mind that Instagram may have implemented better defenses against such attacks, so it’s possible that Instabrute might not work as it once did.

Prerequisites

To use Instabrute, you need a machine running Linux. This can be a local Linux system or a virtual machine running a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu. Make sure your Linux environment has access to the internet and the necessary tools to run shell scripts.

Steps to Install and Run Instabrute

1. Clone the GitHub Repository First, you need to clone the Instabrute repository from GitHub. Open a terminal in your Linux machine and run the following command:

git clone https://github.com/4lxprime/instabrute.git

This command fetches the Instabrute repository from GitHub and downloads it to your local machine. Make sure you have git installed on your system; you can install it using the following command if you don't already have it:

apt install git

            Install Openssl in termux to run this tool efficiently by followig command

pkg install openssl-tool

2. Navigate to the Instabrute Directory Once the repository is cloned, navigate to the Instabrute directory by using the cd command:

cd instabrute/

This command will change your current directory to the instabrute folder, which contains all the necessary files to run the tool.

3. Make the Script Executable Next, you need to make the main script (instabrute.sh) executable. To do this, run the following command:

chmod +x instabrute.sh

The chmod +x command changes the permissions of the instabrute.sh file, making it executable by your system. Without this step, you won't be able to run the script.

4. Run the Instabrute Script Finally, execute the script to begin the brute force attack:

./instabrute.sh

This command runs the instabrute.sh script, which will initiate the brute-force process. You’ll need to input the necessary arguments, like the target username and password list, depending on how the script is configured.

Important Warning: Always ensure you are running such tools in an authorized and controlled environment. Unauthorized use of Instabrute against Instagram or any other social media platform could be considered illegal and unethical.

Challenges with Instabrute

As stated earlier, Instabrute has been deprecated, meaning it may no longer be functional due to recent changes in Instagram's security mechanisms. Instagram has implemented a variety of defenses over the years to mitigate brute force attacks, including:

• Rate Limiting: Instagram limits the number of login attempts from a single IP address to prevent rapid-fire brute-force attempts.
• CAPTCHA: After a certain number of failed login attempts, Instagram may present a CAPTCHA challenge to verify that the user is human.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Instagram encourages users to enable two-factor authentication, which adds a second layer of security by requiring a code sent to the user’s mobile device in addition to the password.

As a result, brute-forcing Instagram accounts using Instabrute (or similar tools) is increasingly difficult and less effective. Instagram has likely implemented additional security measures to detect and block such attacks, including blocking the IP addresses of attackers and flagging suspicious activity.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

While tools like Instabrute can serve as learning tools or proof of concept, using them for unauthorized hacking or accessing someone's Instagram account without permission is illegal. Ethical hackers use similar tools in penetration testing environments with explicit consent from the account owner or the organization being tested.

It’s essential to always consider the ethical and legal implications when working with cybersecurity tools. Engaging in hacking activities without proper authorization can lead to criminal charges, fines, and damage to your reputation as a cybersecurity professional.

Conclusion

Instabrute, while once an effective tool for brute-forcing Instagram accounts, is now deprecated and may not function as it once did due to Instagram’s stronger security measures. It can still be used as an educational tool to understand brute force attacks and their limitations. However, the key takeaway for aspiring cybersecurity professionals is to remember that ethical hacking involves permission and respect for privacy. Tools like Instabrute highlight the importance of strong passwords and multifactor authentication in securing online accounts.

If you’re serious about cybersecurity, remember to always work within the boundaries of the law and use your skills to protect, rather than exploit, online systems.