We've all heard that our computer camera can be used to spy on us. Is it true? Is it even possible? We got the tech experts to give us the download.
In our tech-driven world, it’s now obvious that our privacy can be easily compromised. If hackers can penetrate the White House, they can likely crack our personal devices. And yet we still use our phones, laptops, tablets, and more, as if that threat doesn’t exist. But can we really afford to ignore it?
If you have a modern device capable of getting online, chances are that it has a camera. And if so, there’s a probability that someone is looking for money or a glance at your intimate moments. Such driving factors have made way for a thriving black market for compromised webcams and the videos or photos they can produce. That’s why you may have heard the suggestion to protect yourself by taping over your computer camera and other devices with cameras.
The tip is not based simply on paranoia. In 2014, the FBI ran its largest cyber operation to date, in which scores of webcam hackers in more than 12 countries were arrested. The program, called Blackshades, gave users access to “photographs and other files on the victim’s computer and a record all of the keystrokes entered on the victim’s keyboard,” according to a report. It allowed them to steal passwords to the victims’ online accounts, and even activate the victim’s web camera to spy on them, all in secret. Here are 9 reasons your password is going to get you hacked.
And that’s just one vindictive tool that hackers have used on computers around the world. Apparently, there’s some evidence to suggest that the FBI has also hacked into people’s computers in order to access their webcams for surveillance.
Many Internet-connected webcams have their own IP address to permit remote access, which lets you connect directly to the webcam from anywhere in the world. However, if your camera is not protected by a strong password (which many of them aren’t), it makes it all that much easier for hackers to infiltrate. Make sure you don’t use these password recovery questions that are insanely easy to hack.
As for computer-connected webcams, hackers can use malware to access the cameras. This can happen when you accidentally click a bad link or download a sinister file.
“I’m quite confident that my own computer is not infected by malware—yet,” says Mikko Hermanni Hyppönen, a computer security expert and columnist who has assisted law enforcement in the United States, Europe, and Asia since the 1990s on cybercrime cases. “I cover my camera just in case, and to set an example. It’s not a bad idea.”
Chief Research Officer at F-Secure, a cybersecurity and privacy company based in Helsinki, Finland, Hyppönen is known for taking down the Sobig Worm in August of 2003, a computer worm that infected millions of Internet-connected, Microsoft Windows computers.
“There are plenty of trojans out there that can spy on you via your computer’s camera. We’ve even seen criminals ask money from people after they have collected embarrassing pictures of them via webcam,” he says.
It seems safe to say that, if you don’t want people watching your every move—especially without your permission and when you don’t know it—the only way to protect yourself in terms of your technology is to cover up the camera when not in use. And frankly, it really can’t hurt. It’s just a piece of tape.
FAQs
Check the webcam indicator light.
Your laptop will have a light turn on when the camera is in use, whether it is red, green or blue. If you see the light turned on or blinking and you know you did not do anything to make that happen, then someone has hacked into your webcam.
Can the government see you through your laptop camera? ›
It's technically possible under certain circ*mstances, but it's not common. Accessing your device generally requires a warrant issued by a judge, so the chances are that if you aren't the subject of an investigation, the government isn't seeing your camera.
Is it true that people can see you through your camera? ›
Mobile spyware is malware that allows hackers to steal information and watch anything within view of your phone camera. It can also enable them to access your microphone, location, calendar, and contacts. This makes it possible for hackers to record your videos and calls.
Can my employer see me through the camera on my laptop? ›
Yes, it's completely legal for your employer to monitor you in the US, provided it's in the business's best interests. Your employer is allowed to monitor you on work-issued devices. Some state laws require employees to consent to be monitored. Most employees give consent in their employment contracts.
Should I cover my laptop camera? ›
Tech experts also agree that you should cover your laptop camera. They are aware of the increase in “spy” type hacking and advise everyone to take precautions. Unfortunately, young women are often the target of these malicious hackers, they said.
Can I tell if my laptop is being monitored? ›
To open your task manager, press the Ctrl, Alt, and Esc keys at the same time. Once opened, pay attention to processes and check to see if any of them appear to be suspicious. Below, you can find step-by-step instructions on how you can identify suspicious processes using task manager. Open Task Manager.
Can the FBI see me through my laptop? ›
Legally, they must adhere to strict privacy laws pertaining to citizens—especially in regards to investigations, searches, and seizures. With that said, if they have a warrant, the FBI has the legal authority to monitor computers and phones.
Should I cover the camera on my phone? ›
“Objectively, there are even more reasons to cover smartphone cameras than laptop cameras,” says Erez Yalon, director of security research at Checkmarx, the company that discovered the Android vulnerability.
How do you know if the government is following you? ›
Signs that the government is spying on you
- You have a Smart TV or other IoT device. ...
- Your webcam is on. ...
- Your phone records are up for grabs. ...
- Your phone or computer was hacked. ...
- You're always close to a camera.
Spyware can keep track of every keystroke you type, every software application you use, every website you visit, every chat or instant message you send, every document you open, and everything you print. Some spyware software gives the person monitoring the ability to freeze, shutdown or restart your computer.
Cameras capture how others see us, but the lens can be a tricky thing. Environmental factors like lighting can affect the final image.
Does a laptop camera record? ›
All modern PC devices include at least basic webcam recording software, which means that you can start recording webcam videos right away, using your device's internal camera and equipment.
Can my boss watch me on camera all day? ›
Workplace surveillance laws usually allow companies to use video monitoring for legitimate business purposes. Contact an employment attorney if you feel your employer is videotaping employees without a reasonable business purpose.
How to tell if your employer is monitoring you? ›
Here are some common methods you can try:
- Check your Task Manager and Activity Monitor: Look for unfamiliar active processes. ...
- Check for unknown installed software: Some spyware tools may install themselves as applications on your computer, which you can find in the list of installed programs or applications.
Is employee monitoring legal in the UK? Yes, employee monitoring is legal in the UK. The Data Protection Act 2018 sets out six key principles that should be followed if employers wish to monitor their employees.
Is it safe to use laptop camera? ›
Built-in webcams can be hacked with common viruses and malware. Antivirus software can help better protect your device against these cyberthreats. Some security software prevents applications and malware from accessing your computer's webcam without your consent. Make sure your firewall is running.
Can someone see you through your laptop screen? ›
Legally, someone can't see your laptop screen unless it is an employer, a parent, a proctor, or a law enforcement officer. The legality and technicalities aren't generic or universal due to the scope of cyber surveillance and the objectives of someone seeing a laptop screen without the permission of the user.
Can someone see me on my laptop? ›
However, if your computer has a webcam then someone can see you through that camera with various programs including those that are popular at the moment such as Skype and Zoom. The camera is not the computer screen. You can disable the webcam in Device Manager in Windows.
Should I disable my laptop camera? ›
If privacy is a concern, you may want to disable the integrated webcam on your computer altogether. You don't want malware to take control of the camera to spy on you and your home. If you're a parent, you have other reasons for disabling the webcam, all of them having to do with your kids' safety.
