Should I be blocking my laptop's camera?

If you are willing to smile whenever you sit in front of your laptop (because you ARE on candid camera) then it is probably okay. But also, always wear appropriate dress and comb your hair before you work on your machine. And NEVER do anything in front of that lens that you wouldn't want streamed around the planet.

I have heard reports of bitcoin-hungry people sending you emails threatening to publish the footage they have recorded of you watching porn web sites - and even if you know for sure that there can be no such footage you may still need to wonder what effect even fake videos might have on your public standing ...

No, that little bit of tape sounds like a good idea (with a small piece of paper protecting the lens from the glue.)

Now, what about the microphone?

Interesting reading:

All cameras can be turned on remotely. Maybe YOU are not running as an administrator capable of turning on the camera, but there are many low-level administrator accounts used by services that CAN turn the camera on if the right software (malware?) is installed. The same also goes with your MICROPHONE. Be careful what you do and say when you are near these devices. Same thing goes with your cell phone, if you think about it. If a cellphone app causes a popup saying that it wants access to your camera or microphone, at least pause to ask yourself "why". It's OK to say NO or delete the app if you don't trust it.

I also decided I needed more antivirus when my 11-yr old nephew borrowed my laptop and downloaded ransomware, among other less problematic things. Malwarebytes didn't find the ransomware, but Bitdefender did. It scrubbed my laptop clean. Even though it's the free version, it only suggested I upgrade to the paid a couple times. I haven't had a problem since, it isn't a resource hog. I think I'm going to even buy the paid version.

computer friend put bitdefender on my computer a couple of years ago - he said that avast has holes in it and can be hacked - bitdefender much better and it is only virus protection that can protect against ransomware - just look for it online - priced accordingly to how many devices you want to protect.

You can place a small paper covering the lens and then tape it over the paper. You will not smudge the lens.

Just put a tiny bit of paper behind that tape so it doesn't stick to the lens. it is a pain cleaning that glue off

Don't believe that!

Yes, the malware that can switch on camera and microphone - often without switching on the warning light or on-screen symbol - can get administrator access as well.

I believe that the camera can be turned on remotely. The only sure way is to block it. It is simple, it is inexpensive, and it is 100% effective.

There are various s/w and apps that have access directly to your camera whether the current user has administrative access or not and they can be hacked. Or, a hacker can get access directly to the camera. A physical block is the only way to assure that your are not being visually monitored.

Not discussed in this thread, but consider this: a smart phone is nothing but a computer, with a selfie camera, that you carry around all day.

My camera is in my drawer and not plugged in.

Very good advice!

If people don't like paper and tape, you can BUY blockers on sites like Amazon. But the simple solution works fine.

Sounds you have no laptop. My desktop camera is still in the shop and my money in my account. My laptop camera is only in the drawer if and when my laptop is there as well. But then the lid is closed and I don't worry. In all other situations there is the tape. Maybe I should tape some cotton buds over the mikes as well ...

I was referring to my desktop. For mobile, I have an OLD Netbook.

...that many of us automatically think desktop when we see the word computer! Desktop computers usually (not always) do not have webcams that come with them. The cameras have to be manually set up and plugged in. The same is true of microphones. That is yet another advantage of desktops. I know that laptops are becoming the default, but they are far from being ubiquitous. I don't believe desktops will ever die. I do not own a camera for my desktop at all, and my microphone is only plugged in when I am using it. My laptop is rarely used because it is only a backup.

... that the OP was specifically mentioning a laptop - which makes sense, since desktops don't, to my knowledge, come with camera and microphone installed without a chance to uninstall. So, yes, on a desktop there would be other strategies (leave them in the drawer or even in the shop) - I now wonder how much I can hope to do to be sure that my phone doesn't spy on me even after I told it not to ... which brings me back to the Michael Chrichton novel/film, which sports what must be the longest ever voice message.

I am not sure if laptops are becoming "the default" but they have gained market share. It seems there have been markets evolving for people that look for something not quite a tablet and not quite a "real" PC, and the laptop seems to fill that gap, even for people that don't really need the portability. It is nice to sit in the lounge today and in the den tomorrow and on the patio at night (doesn't work in the daytime if you live in a sunny area) and when you are done you pack it away altogether.

And then there are those of us who might prefer desktops but need the portability of laptops. Once on day one of a new job I was issued an ID/access card, a mobile phone and a laptop and was told that now I was a mobile worker. There have been times in my career where I needed to travel with company laptops and should have brought my personal one as well.

The problem with the compact form factor is that you can't just reach inside quickly and unplug the camera or microphone. A switch would be a good idea, but my laptop only has one for all the radios - a "flight mode" switch, so to say.

But I have actually been on a conference call with one of the world's leading IT companies (audio and video broadcast over the web) where some listeners were shown, clearly unaware that their cameras were active. So the problem is real.

Gerdd, in the comment above. He said something about it. This was not a reply to the original post.

" in the lounge today and in the den tomorrow and on the patio at night"

study, den, rec room, kitchen nook, patio, front stoop - all in one day

Almost every All-in-One Desktops come with both cameras & microphones. Some even use facial recognition to log on with Windows Hello. Blocking the camera would stop facial recognition and blocking the mike would disable voice searches. So sticking tape on would cancel some very useful features for many people. So not as simple as some may think.

I'm not saying that it isn't cool and all that, but those are features that most people don't use on their computers. They are convenient to use on phones, but most people don't want to bother with it on a full-sized computer. It is faster and easier to just type. As for all-in-ones, they never took off for good reason. They are essentially fixed laptops, and what is the point of that? If you really don't need the power and features of a full-sized desktop computer, then why be tied to a desk? The biggest complaint I have seen, though, is that they are expensive to repair or replace. You cannot just open up the case and replace a defective part. If you lose part of it, you lose it all.

"They are essentially fixed laptops"

I have a All-in-One, 27" 4K touchscreen laptops with Intel I7 processor with 16GB memory, 2TB, 7200 rpm HDD & 256MB SSD. Dedicated 2GB Nvidia Graphics & dedicated Sound card with Dolby Audio, along with Bluetooth, multiple USB 3 & HDMI ports. Which in my opinion does have all "the power and features of a full-sized desktop computer" because it is a powerful desktop computer, in a more convenient form factor. I haven't seen any laptops that can match these features. I do use Windows Hello facial recognition to log on everyday and I don't think MS added Windows Hello to Win 10 & Intel developed the Sense Camera because they thought only a few people would use it. I also use voice search & dictation multiple times a day. So as I said in my OP, it is not as simple as using a piece of tape for many people.

My laptop is a bit nicer than that. Of course, I paid $2000 for it, but that is not the point. Most people who want a desktop don't even consider all in ones. It is an extremely niche market that gets very little attention for good reason. My reasons are already listed.

Use a non-medicated band-aid. It works and really looks cool.

Funny thought but taking it off leaves residual sticky residue.

...if you don't ever use the camera to begin with? Many people do not. However, if you do then follow the advice already given. Put something between the lens itself and the tape or band-aid or whatever you use. It really is that simple.

I obviously disagree. This is definitely paranoia. I don't cover mine. I do watch porn on occasion, and there is no conversation I'm ever having that would be of any interest to anyone. I've been around people that were convinced that the government watched every step they took. I guess if you aren't doing anything illegal that thought never comes to mind. I admit this is one of the few CNet I read all the way through and possibly only commenting because it said I wouldn't. I don't care if I'm being watched, if they tell me when, I'll put on a show. It's no different to me than the scammers that call on the phone. I doubt I'll be running for election, that my reputation will be on the line. Maybe chem-trails from commercial airlines will be next up?

I wanted to edit my comment, but couldn't. I forgot to state that I never use mine, so I'm glad somebody is getting some use out of them. I wish CNET would replace the 'This was Helpful' poll with something like a 'You've got to be kidding' or Hilarious??

Its the opportunity to be easily blackmailed that should be avoided. Imagine a threat of your "pornface money shot" being sent to everyone on your contact list..unless you pay $10000. A bandaid is much cheaper.