Should You Tape Over Your Webcam?

[engine]

This story of Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg covering his camera was in the news recently. Is it paranoid, or are the risks relatively low?
[bbc.co.uk...]

[LifeinAsia]

I've had my laptop camera covered for some time. (I just got a new laptop yesterday, so thanks for the reminder to "secure" that one as well!)

I didn't used to think it was an issue until I heard several tech-savvy people say it was fairly easy to take over control of the camera.

[lucy24]

Should You Tape Over Your Webcam?

Eeuw, no, that's ugly. Use one of the logo stickers that came with the computer. I think their intended purpose is to put in your front window so burglars can see exactly what's available, but no reason you can't put it over your camera thingy instead.

For a desktop, encouraging the cat to sleep on the shelf directly over the computer (heat rises) is also effective, especially if it's a long-haired cat with a big bushy tail.

[tangor]

One more use for duct tape, which comes in many different colors these days! Make a fashion statement. :)

[robzilla]

Like the FBI director, Zuckerberg probably is a high-value target. I don't cover my camera, but I would if I were him.

[keyplyr]

Should You Tape Over Your Webcam?

I'd loose all my midnight fans!

[JS_Harris]

California, an elementary school sent some laptops home with students to complete a computer assignment. The cameras were activated remotely by a school official to see what the students were doing. They later claimed no ill-intent but these laptops were in student bedrooms for the most part. Should you tape the camera? That depends.

Consider the camera to be on, watching (and listening via speakers) 24/7. If there is ever any moment in your day you do not want to be viewed by everyone then yes, tape away. Unfortunately it's trivial to place a camera in electronics with a lense that looks exactly like the plastic surrounding it. ie: you can't even tell it's there.

There was a university video some years ago that showed a student looking at himself on his computer via a picture derived entirely of sound coming from his speakers... so maybe putting the computer in the closet works too, lol.

[claus]

> Should You Tape Over Your Webcam?

erhm... Are there any serious reasons NOT to do that? Except of course, not owning a webcam. :)

> Is it paranoid, or are the risks relatively low?

If risks were low it would be paranoid, and the "or" should be an "and". I believe there's a minor error in that question. Maybe you intended to ask if there's a real risk or not?

The answer would depend on who you are, how big a wallet you've got, what kind of stuf you do for a living/recreation, who your friend/foes/competitors/colleagues are, and lots of other factors. Plus luck. So IMHO, the probability of a hack would be unique for you, personally, and the next person would face a different probability.

[claus]

sorry about the bad spelling above. Added: you may be able to disable it in the BIOS, and hence avoid ugly tape. If you trust your BIOS, that is.

[tangor]

Even BIOS is not immune to hacking. Only SURE way is to unsolder the connections to mic and cam (and speakers it truly paranoid). Speakers I find useful so I'll keep mine. :)

[LifeinAsia]

Only SURE way is to unsolder the connections to mic and cam

Skynet will be able to call in nano-bots to re-solder the connections. Your only true sure way is to ditch the laptop completely and go live in a cave.