How to protect my webcam from being hacked

Everett

2.Check regularly your webcam indicator light, if indicator light is on while you're not using it probably your system has been compromised or a software is accessing it with or without your permission.

I have heard that hackers can still turn the webcam on without the indicator light turning on as well, which is a little creepy if you ask me. Just think you could be surfing the net and then notice that your computer is acting funny, and then bam you are on video on some shady website.

I actually put electrical tape on the webcam eye just in case someone was to gain access to my laptop. You could also uninstall the webcam drivers, if you don't regularly use the webcam.. it's better to be safe than sorry. Another tip is to make sure your operating system is completely up to date, if you have updates for the webcam drivers make sure to download those. I don't think hackers accessing the webcam is not much of a concern, you should probably protect your bank details more than the webcam..

I actually was hacked in the past, and they turned the webcam on. It was from a fake program I downloaded.. which I wanted to basically take the code from, and add another feature but it was basically a fake program that the hackers used to gain remote access.

8 years ago

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Beverly

Thanks for that tip about using the tape. I think they would be able to access the microphone still, so they could eavesdrop in that way.

I don't think hackers accessing the webcam is not much of a concern, you should probably protect your bank details more than the webcam..

This is actually a pretty huge deal and many women have been hacked/spied upon including this:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2638874/More-90-people-nabbed-creepware-hacker-sting-victim-Miss-Teen-USA-describes-terror-watched-webcam-YEAR.html

The thing that scares me is that my child uses a computer and regularly downloads game mods (even though I have told her not to) and what if she is downloading some creepware like this that could turn on her camera?

The whole thing makes me sick, what people are capable of.

You just don't know who is watching you - as you said, just cover up the webcam (or unplug it) if you aren't actively using it.

8 years ago

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Cristian

As you said, a real virus or hacker will turn the light indicator off. I actually found that light turned on at one point, creeped the hell out of me and I actually had a tape covering my camera for a while.

After I've seen that picture of mark zuckerberg's laptop it fully convinced me that this is pretty serious stuff and you better be safe than sorry, I bet future laptops will have some sort of cap, to cover the camera, that actually would be a pretty cool feature for the paranoids like me.

8 years ago

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CryptoGuru

Ok i have the solution for you and its a cheap and easy fix. Many people all over the world have this question and everyone seems un easy when it comes to this subject. The bottom line is that you don't need any special software or hardware to keep yourself safe from prying eyes. The one and only thing you need in order to keep yourself safe is duct tape. Yes you read this correctly duct tape. How do you use duct tape to keep yourself safe? Simply take a small piece and cover your camera when not in use. To avoid damage cover the lens wit a piece of paper and apply duct tape on top. If someone does gain access to your camera they will only be able to see black. Remember turning off or disabling your cameras does nothing if your system is compromised. I hope my answer helped you guys out! this can also work for phones and more! Thanks for sharing have a nice day!

8 years ago

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Lynne

Oh my gosh, seriously people hack into your webcam? That could be potentially really bad LOL.

Why on earth would anyone want to do that anyway? What will they get out of doing it?

I have an internal webcam on my laptop and an external webcam for my desktop pc. So thanks for making me aware of webcam hacking, it is not something that I ever considered a risk or even a possibility. Now that I know it can happen it is kinda creepy isn't it?

8 years ago

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MendasDigital

Anti-malware products can help protect your webcam from being taken over by malware. A firewall can help protect you from hackers who might try to break in and take control of your webcam.

If your webcam is not built into the computer, unplugging it could also be a good option, when you aren't using it. If your webcam is built into the system, you can disable devices in the device manager, and re-enable when using them. Alternatively, you can tape a paper flap in front of your webcam, and just flip the paper up when you need to use the webcam.

Personally, if someone takes control of my webcam all they're going to get are pictures of my feet, because my computer is low to the floor.

8 years ago

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MasterA

Having an anti-virus doesn't always mean it is safe. Some anti-viruses don't offer web cam protection so someone can still remotely access your webcam even if you have an antivirus. My advice would be for you to put some blue tack or a cover over your web cam camera when you are not using it. I am personally using Kaspersky Internet Security and it offers Web Cam protection. My advice is to make sure that your antivirus has a web cam protection feature and I would advice you getting paid protection as well as covering the camera and this is more than enough to be safe.

8 years ago

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Barida

I've come to realize that no matter how we try to protect ourselves from hackers from having access to our personal files on the internet., that there is no 100% sure way that it is possible. So, I suggest that in as much as you implement some of the tips given here by people, you need to be security conscious too and avoid doing certain things with the webcam.

7 years ago

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SEOClerks

How to protect my webcam from being hacked