Is it really necessary to hide your webcam when you’re not using it?


Mathilde Rochefort

October 27, 2022 at 11:17 a.m.

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hides his webcam with tape © Shutterstock

© Shutterstock

Cybersecurity experts have returned to the usefulness and effectiveness of this now widespread practice, and their response is not necessarily categorical.

In 2016, Mark Zuckerberg posted a photo on his Facebook account where you could clearly see that his laptop’s built-in camera was covered. Former FBI Director James Comey also claimed he hid his webcam, but does that really keep you safe?

A practice that acts as a last bastion in the event of a hacker’s intrusion

To put it simply, covering your webcam is not necessarily essential, but it can reassure users and, effectively, prevent potential hackers from observing you or your home through this means. Nevertheless, if your computer is well equipped when it comes to cybersecurity, it should be difficult for cybercriminals to achieve this.

I understand paranoia. Nobody likes to feel vulnerable. But if you take preventative measures, the chances of you being hacked or someone watching you on your webcam are slim to none. If there’s a security breach, that breach doesn’t go away by covering the webcam. This person will always be watching you on the other end says Nizel Adams, owner of Nizel Corp, an information technology consulting firm.

The expert assures that even if a hacker knows the password of a computer, he must have many other information on the device in order to access the screen, such as the external IP address of the network on which finds the device, IP address or exact computer name, and an open and designated port number for remote access.

Since many computer systems automatically disable this remote access feature, a hacker must also trick into installing malware to access it, he continues. He further clarifies that people with a firewall generally do not need to worry about such intrusions.

Tips to better protect your computer

Sticking a sticker on his webcam therefore prevents a cybercriminal from accessing it in case he manages to complete all these steps. Cybersecurity experts also recommend other practices to prevent a hacker from observing your interior.

The most obvious are using complex passwords and not opening suspicious emails, but they also advise double-checking that the video is not on before and after each video meeting, and pay attention to what is behind you during these meetings. Finally, it’s best to uninstall apps you don’t use often and regularly check which ones have access to your webcam.

Source : HuffPost



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