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General discussion

Should I be blocking my laptop's camera?

Aug 24, 2018 5:40PM PDT

On my train commute to work, I started to notice more and more of this behavior on people's laptops. More often than not, people have a piece of masking tape or sticky note blocking their laptop camera. Are people just paranoid that the camera may suddenly start recording them or is it because they are camera-shy during video conferences? I personally do not block my camera on my laptop, but it has got me thinking about it. Should I be, but for what reason? Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I am curious as to why people do it and if you do, why? If for laptops, should they be covering up their phone cameras too? Looking forward to what you think. Thank you.

--Submitted by Karen A.

Discussion is locked

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Yes
Sep 1, 2018 2:08AM PDT

I am aware of my phone and I do not allow it to listen in when I am having a private conversation. I will not allow myself to be too attached to my phone. I like it, and it is cool, but it is not an extension of me and I am not losing anything to leave it behind at home or sitting in the next room when I have something sensitive to talk about.

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If laptop's cam is covered, then let's cover the phone's too
Sep 1, 2018 4:14AM PDT

I don't cover anything... I do know the risk If I got hacked, but that's the risk of anything could be hacked, not just the camera.
Have to stay vigilant & be aware when using application & the risk from malware/virus/scam/etc that could gain access to the connected devices, not only just the camera at stake.
So, if those are already covered, then why needa worry about the hardwares? If it's so much to worry about & that gave a good feeling to just stick a cute sticker on the camera lens, then it's up to them. But no, I'd worry more if my device got hacked & I've no knowledge on it than covering the camera lens.

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That is acceptable.
Sep 1, 2018 7:42AM PDT

As long as you are aware of it, you will avoid doing stupid things like having sensitive conversations near the electronics or bouncing around naked in front of your webcam. It is the awareness that is the most important. However, you do need to take the threat of spying seriously. If someone is watching you get dressed, that is merely embarrassing. If someone gets your private information, then that is something far more serious. I consciously avoid saying things like credit card numbers out loud.

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My Phones Camera
Sep 1, 2018 12:49PM PDT

Technically, my phone IS covered. It's in my pocket. Else, they might get a photo of my ear. Or cat photos. My MIC? I guess they can listen to my keys rattling around (by the way, I have a Ballistic case and screen protection too).

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Yes, of course
Sep 1, 2018 5:27AM PDT

Of course I cover the phone camera. As for the mic, I live alone and usually, the only conversation it would pick up would be the TV. I also buy a cheap smart phone and I'm not sure it's smart enough to listen into private conversations. (Ha-ha.)

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The trouble is ...
Sep 1, 2018 5:50AM PDT

... that a lot of this voice business isn't happening in the phone at all but at a big server somewhere in the cloud of Google, Apple or whoever sponsors your voice spy/slave. That is also how the babelfish of today works. The audio or the recognized text is shipped to the server, translated and shipped back - all seemingly in real time. This way it doesn't need any serious compute power in the phone itself. (The real banelfisj as per Douglas Adam will only be available around the time that Arthur Dent will lose first his home and then his home planet.)

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Cell phone usage
Sep 3, 2018 2:26PM PDT

When at home, I generally have my phone in a room other than where I am. My phone is in a frame case with a magnetic back that will lock it into a wrap around cover. When out and about, I keep it in that cover. Not only does it add some protection to the phone, but it also blocks the selfie camera and muffles the mic.

Maybe I've spent too many years in computer security and have witnessed too many people lose intensely personal information. It's almost funny how many of those people thought they had nothing to hide and that hacking would never happen to them. We referred to them as, "innocent fools".

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Camera blocking
Aug 31, 2018 8:16PM PDT

Not only does my laptop have the camera lens covered, but I have also disabled then removed the camera drivers. When I need to use a camera (Skype with the grandkids), I use a USB plug in camera. I plug it in, use it, and unplug it.

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Stalkers
Aug 31, 2018 8:28PM PDT

Yes. Absolutely. I have an ex who teamed up with a former friend who turned into a hacker. This hacker used to work in corporate for one of the big computer companies and lost his job, which makes his knowledge a real danger. He must know the operating system and every network back door imaginable. I discovered one day my ex had hired him to stalk me online, and people by then had creepily already started blogging about things you can only see/know if you are in my bedroom. One day, with the phones and computer seemingly powered down, I angered them with something I posted describing how terrifying it is to be stalked and what I’ve experienced. Next moment, someone blogged essentially a declaration of war on me and all my devices started erasing. This continued even after I shut them down. The only survivor was a burner phone I could remove the battery from.

Anything connected to the internet is vulnerable to all kinds of hacking through a combination of methods. In my case, they had managed to disable my router’s vpn and change the admin password. When they’re that deep into your network and start blogging about how a recent wound on your leg is leaving scars, scars totally covered up in public, you know they have a camera on you. And my best guess is it’s not a spy camera, but the one in my bedroom laptop or phone or both. They also hear what is said in my bedroom, e.g., they blogged to ridicule me about sobbing over the harassment. I only did this in my bedroom.

I can’t very well cover the microphones on the phones (and I found spyware on one). But definitely cover everything you can. It’s a reality. And don’t forget the mic on your networked TV either. But that’s another story.

With the presently available malware, online consumers are all sitting ducks for people who wish us harm, or want to blackmail us or steal from our financial accounts. It’s terrifying.

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Have We Forgotten Harriton H.S., Bryn Mawr, PA?
Aug 31, 2018 8:34PM PDT
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Are you hiding something?
Aug 31, 2018 9:02PM PDT

Answer that question. Is there something in your camera's view you want to hide? Then yes block it. If not then why bother?

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Are you hiding something?
Aug 31, 2018 9:44PM PDT

Do you understand the principle of principles?

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Re: Are you hiding something? - That's the point:
Aug 31, 2018 10:10PM PDT

It is none of your business.

"I've got nothing to hide" is the worst excuse not to protect your privacy. Because one day you will - and it may be something as seemingly innocuous as "I did not vote for this president." - One day that is your constitutional right, and the next day it lands you in jail. There are people in Turkish jails today that did not think it possible a few years ago. And the law now says that the prosecuters can keep you there for up to five years without laying a charge.

Can't happen where you live? How sure are you of that?

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Of Course There Is
Sep 1, 2018 12:59PM PDT

The issue is that many people don't realize that hiding something is not "hiding wrong-doing". Like people using that excuse about PC privacy and then someone gets their social security number or what bank they use, or other financial data. In the case of the camera, all you need is a rogue app (like any online advertisement these days) and you can find photos of yourself used in ways that you don't like.

It also depends on what you define as "bother". Some don't consider a small piece of tape to be much of a bother. Now what would be a "bother" is if a photo of you would be sent to a relative saying that this person is in jail in (insert country). Please send bail money to....

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covering cameras on devices
Sep 1, 2018 12:54AM PDT

not only do laptops have cameras so does your smart phone, a tablet and most newer monitors - the chrome book too comes with a camera - my granddaughter covers up camera on her smart tv - and the chrome book but not her phone so which one do you pick - also its reported some devices listen in on your conversations so should you cover the speakers too - i think its kind of senseless to try and cover up everything -

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Not to "Scare" You
Sep 1, 2018 1:06PM PDT

But most of these devices have been hacked and in the news for many years. It's not a matter of "Picking One". If your daughters cell phone is in a purse or pocket, the camera won't see much. I used to work for local law enforcement type agencies and had to access law enforcement interface menus for carriers and you'd be shocked at what is possible (requires a subpoena of course). If the police can do something, chances are the "bad guys" can also. It's a question of how you feel about it. Like, is it worth it to have your fridge connected to the Internet but have to worry that a bad person can turn your fridge off remotely?

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Yes
Sep 1, 2018 4:53AM PDT

I was at COMDEX this year and ADT (the alarm company) was actually giving away laptop camera covers.

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Is is paranoia if it's really watching?
Sep 1, 2018 6:58AM PDT

I began covering my camera a few years back as an easy response to hearing that Steve Jobs, etc., did it. No biggie, right? Several months ago, I bought a pay-as-you-go smartphone (MetroPCS) that I used for a few weeks, then shut off because it dropped too many calls. I had it sitting here handy because I want to recycle it responsibly. About three weeks ago, it suddenly booted up. It's a Motorola Moto that says, "Hello, Moto" when it boots. That startled me. I covered the cameras (front and back) and microphones with black tape. I also covered the ones on my laptops more heavily. I just realized I haven't done my tablet--but the camera on that doesn't have any odd behaviors and it stays inside a sleeve.

I live a quiet, totally legal life, and I don't know why anyone would monitor me, but I'm not going to give them any help doing it.

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That’s why I like macs
Sep 1, 2018 7:18AM PDT

On a Mac there is a light next to the camera that comes on so you know someone is watching you. I do agree covering it up is a good idea. Sometimes when I join meetings at work the camera is on by default. I work from home and needless to say there have been a couple of embarrassing moments where I quickly put my hand over the camera hopefully before anyone actually saw me. Happy

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Steve Jobs on a PC?
Sep 1, 2018 1:39PM PDT

This heading caught my attention because it's a reply to a post that said Steve Jobs did it ? Shame it's too late to tell Steve he should try using a Mac ???? I think this thread has run it's course.

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Uhh
Sep 2, 2018 4:33AM PDT

The original post said a "laptop." Do you think there are no Apple laptops or did you think the issue would only be with desktops or what?

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Duhh...
Sep 2, 2018 11:46AM PDT

Let's see, the original post said laptop, YOU then said Steve Jobs did it., the next poster said that's why they liked Macs. My point was, if Macs were the answer, wouldn't Steve Jobs be using one? I'm very aware there are Apple laptops, and I have not had a desktop in the over 12 years. Besides it was already discussed that this was about laptops and desktops usually use externals. "or what?"

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Huh?
Sep 2, 2018 12:01PM PDT

I'm not sure how we got this far off track. I don't even notice Macs as a separate topic because I don't attempt to deal with anything Apple. Since when do laptops use external cameras? I've never had a laptop that didn't have a built-in camera.

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OK, again.
Sep 2, 2018 1:39PM PDT

If you'll notice, my reply of "Steve Jobs on a PC" was to a post titled "That's why I like macs". I don't deal with anything Apple either. 'Since when do laptops use external camera?' (which they could). I will quote my own post, which you are replying to: "already discussed that this was about laptops, and desktops usually use externals"

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I Have One
Sep 3, 2018 10:11PM PDT

And it doen't matter really. Some people use external cameras for reasons on aiming or just they don't like a built-in camera. My Netbook doesn't have a built-in one and I'm sure there are some without cameras usually purchased by companies that are government contractors.

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Yes.
Sep 1, 2018 7:52AM PDT

I was surprised at how many people said they were doing this. I guess in my little world I am the only one who covers the camera as a precaution. I’ve been doing this for a long time.

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Definitely
Sep 1, 2018 8:52AM PDT

I started covering my PC camera about a year ago after the camera light suddenly turned on when my PC was turned off. After covering it, the camera finally shut down. In 4 years I have rarely used the camera or mic, so it was very disconcerting to see. Play it safe and protect yourself

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Simple answer
Sep 1, 2018 9:12AM PDT

Since all technology CAN be hacked, this is the reason why many people block devices, such as built in cameras. And NOT just from FOLLOWERS. This, DANGEROUS, technology, as well as "emergency G.P.S. detection", CAN be used, by stalkers, and other criminals. No doubt this is why the wisest people use a "cave-man" style cover, for their camera. A hacker can, easily, override your security procedures, but NOTHING can override either a piece of cardboard, handkerchief, etc., in activating your camera (without your knowledge. )

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Just block them....
Sep 1, 2018 9:29AM PDT

My laptop is plugged into a 27" monitor and wireless Logitech keyboard & mouse.... the laptop is open and off to the side of my desk, screen turned off and open. I have a post it note covering the lens... why not? Its basically FREE to do it and when/if you ever need it, its 1 second to take it off.

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Great reason to block your camera
Sep 1, 2018 3:24PM PDT

This scam apparently just started last month. First they get your name and either email or physical address. This can be from your FB account or someone who is your friend who has had his account compromised, or from any other social media. Then they send either a snail or email to you saying that they recorded you while you were on a porn site (whether or not you were is immaterial) and they have put together a composite movie with you on one side and the porn that you were watching on the other side of the screen. Oh, yes, they also claim to have downloaded your contacts list or got it from your, or your friend's, social media. Now, they will say that you must send them $1000, or more, in bit coins, within the next few days, or they will send the video to all your contacts.

The present level is all bluff, but the next level will be a scammer actually hacking your camera, gathering some porn, then editing them together to appear to be you actually watching the porn. It'll take a little work because they will first have to hack into your, or a friend's, account to get those contacts. But, it won't be long before this becomes real. If you NEVER have been on a porn site doesn't matter. How are you going to feel when your husband/wife, children/parents, neighbors/boss get that video?

YES!! Put a post-it, or something else, over your camera's lens when you are not actually using it.