enquires about webcam being hacked

[shaun166]

Hi guys,

Recently visited a site that talk about webcam hacking had made me worry about my webcam too..
I got a laptop with a build in webcam by acer.
With Kaspersky internet security 2011
with windows 7 with the latest update.

Is it possible to know if someone is spy on you? as there is no any signal when my webcam is on.

And i using wireless network with WEP key encryption
How to Prevent Your Webcam From Being Hacked | eHow.com
from this article they said wep is outdated? is it true?

 

[richc46]

No one at this end can give you a definitive answer as to your webcam being used to spy on you, but here is a good article with some actions to take to reduce the chance of spying

Web Cam Spying: Spies may be controlling your web cam - KWGN

 

[shaun166]

Thanks! They mention about password protect your webcam? any idea how?

 

[richc46]

The best advice is to call the manufacturer of your webcam. Anything that you buy or download would have to be supported by the company. They can give you the best advice.
I actually have a webcam on my one year old computer and have never used it. I really do not want to have to look my best just to talk to some one.

 

[neo101]

The easiest way > learn how to take the bezel away from around your screen (usually hidden screws) and just pull the two leads off the webcam connector if you never use the webcam.
Ditto the built-in microphone!

If you go on a flash site such as Youtube, while running a TV/music program, click pause, then right click on your screen within the panel where the music video is showing.

Click on 'settings'
You will get a flash menu that has automatically configured your Webcam/Mic so that ??? can watch/listen (to) you in your home!

Why Webcam/microphone gets auto configured or is even put on there by Adobe, smacks of agency/big brother!

 

[strollin]

I could care less whether someone was spying on me via my webcam, I've got much more important things to worry about.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I'm using a piece of blue masking tap cut into a circle over my webcam (the covers you linked are definitely better but the blue tape was handy. I also removed the webcam software from the startup menu.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I could care less whether someone was spying on me via my webcam, I've got much more important things to worry about.

I'm not worried about it, either, since I've disabled the darned thing.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Although you have disabled it, you are not 100% safe. A skilled hacker will have the ability to turn it back on without your knowledge. Why not play it safe you know

Why worry about it anyway? If you practice good computing habits and run a quality malware scanner, and you have little to worry about. The OP said he was on a protected network as well. Of all the things to worry about in the computing world, this ranks very low. The only instances that ever seem to pop up are when the IT admins are the ones doing the spying, such as a case local to me where the school's IT staff would snoop on the students using the school provided laptops.

That being said, just cover it. You don't need to order anything online or spend any money. A piece of paper, tape, piece of felt, etc would do the job if you feel the need.

 

[pricetech]

Uh, clothespin with a pretty colored piece of paper under it ?????

Sometimes, low tech is best.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Although you have disabled it, you are not 100% safe. A skilled hacker will have the ability to turn it back on without your knowledge. Why not play it safe you know?

I could care less whether someone was spying on me via my webcam, I've got much more important things to worry about.

I'm not worried about it, either, since I've disabled the darned thing.

They might turn it back on but they won't see anything but blue with the piece of tape over it.

 

[Layback Bear]

Hang a picture of Pam Anderson in front of the camera. If later you have people looking, smiling and pointing at you they are the ones that hacked your camera.

 

[alikhan]

There are programs that can tap into the webcam software and turn it on remotely. Always unplug the webcam when you are not using it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Always unplug the webcam when you are not using it.

Most of the discussion revolves around laptop webcams that are built-in.