Your webcam can be used against you by hackers to spy on you, record you and possibly blackmail you, or be used for revenge or extortion against you. See NBC News article--> FBI Arrests suspect in Miss Teen USA 'sextortion' case.
Because these stories are becoming more and more common in the news, Michael, a friend of mine asked me to share on his Facebook page, a way that individuals can secure their web cams and prevent it from being hacked. More like reduce the likelihood that your webcam gets hacked into. Just know that anything connected on the Internet can be hacked or compromised.
- Use a computer account that does not have Administrator rights. Limited rights is perfect.
- Keep antivirus software up to date and don't skimp, pay for the annual renewal!
- Set your PC or Laptop to download and install security patches automatically.
- Keep the computer’s firewall turned on all the time.
- Don’t let your children use your computer. Buy your children their own computing devices. Disable the camera on their computer if they have no need to use it. See steps 6 & 7.
- If your web cam is external, keep it unplugged until you need it.
- If your web cam is internal, consider deleting the drivers for it and purchasing an external web cam and follow step 6.
- For internal web cams, use tape or post-It Note to cover camera lens if you are not using it.
- Microphone – Turn the microphone input volume down to “zero”, when not using it.
- For the Ultra-Paranoid, delete the device drivers for both your web cam and microphone.
- Create complex login passwords.
Enjoy,
Julius, CISSP
In addition, if you are new to the IT Security field, or have no experience and want to change your career consult with me at:
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