You don’t have to look far to find awebcam. They’re on your laptop, tablet, and smartphone. It’s great to be ableto video chat with distant relatives or friends, but webcams also can pose adanger to your privacy and security.
A cybercriminal could potentially gainaccess to your webcam to record sights and sounds related to you. You mightthink you’d recognise if someone did that with your device, but there are waysa hacker can disable the LED light that normally signals your webcam is in use,even when it’s running.
Why do people cover their webcam? Many people cover uptheir webcam because one never knows who could be on the other end watching. Ifa snoop gains access to your webcam, they might gather footage to extort,blackmail, or cause mayhem in your life.
For example, A 37-year-old resident fromMulund received an email with a stranger claiming to have access to hisbrowsing history, which included p*rnographic content. The blackmailer thendemanded money, otherwise threatening to forward the clips to his family andfriends.1
More than44,000cybercrime cases were reported from 2012 to 2019 in India,2but not many wereSextorions(webcam blackmailing).3These cases don’t usuallycome to light because the victim’s private information is often in jeopardy.That doesn't mean users aren’t victimised on a daily basis; they are. Hackersmight be awaiting to hijack your webcam and blackmail you for money; you neverknow.
The good news? It’s an easy cyberthreatto protect against if you know what you’re doing. Here’s a look at reasons to coveryour Webcam, what might happen if you don’t, and six tips you can use toimprove your webcam security.
Why Should You Cover Webcam?
Cyberthieves seek ways to target andsteal information. Cyber criminals may hijack online bank accounts, stealfinancial data used for online shopping, or break into social media accounts.4
But you may have noticed a piece of tapeover a co-worker’s or a friend’s webcam lately. That’s because cyberthreats cantarget webcams, too.
The same viruses andmalwarethat can steal information fromyour devices can also embed software that can record whatever a webcam sees. Theseactivities can take place in the comfort of your home or the privacy of yourworkplace. If used for malicious purposes, a webcam could record sensitivemoments or material and send the recordings back to cybercriminals, assisted byyour infected device.
The collected material can be used for variouspurposes, like blackmail, identity theft, or to cause a victim distress. Thecyberthreat of an exposed webcam can have a very real-life impact on whoever itaffects.
What could happen if your webcam isvulnerable?
If you don’t take precautions to secureyour webcam, your privacy and online security might not be as strong as they couldbe.
There are two types of common webcams,each having different vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit:
Wireless webcams:Thesecameras use wireless connectivity to connect to your laptop or computer,but that also means they have an IP address and a password. Often, whenthe consumer purchases and sets up the webcam, they leave the password asthe default option instead of setting up a unique complex password oftheir own. That means anyone who can find the IP address might easilyguess the password and be able to access the device.
Built-in webcams:Thesecameras are built into your laptop or tablet and are handy for videoconversations. But suppose your device gets a virus or malware. In thatcase, cybercriminals could easily take over the webcam functionality andturn it on or off as they wish, and disable the LED light to avoiddetection.
A smartphone’s front-facing webcamtypically isn’t considered a security risk. That’s because when you’re notusing it, it’s usually tucked away in your purse or pocket.
But it’s not the same with wireless orbuilt-in webcams. Cybercriminals can access these cameras, and because of theirpositions — facing your living room, kitchen, or office — they can expose yourprivacy and sensitive conversations.
That’s why it’s a good idea to cover upyour webcam when they’re not in use or take other steps to improve yourinternet security.
6 tips to improve webcam privacy andsecurity
Covering your webcam is an easy trick toavoid someone spying on you. But it doesn’t wholly address the need forinternet security. Plus, putting a tape over your webcam doesn’t mean someone won’tstill listen in through the microphone.
Here are six tips you can use to helpimprove your webcam and device security.
- Get antivirus software.Built-in webcams can be hacked with common viruses and malware. Antivirussoftware can help you better protect your device against these cyberthreats.
Forexample,NortonSecurity Softwarehelps prevent infectious applications from accessing yourcomputer's webcam without your consent.5It automatically blocks any spyware trying to extract information from your device, helping prevent possible webcam breaches.
- Make sure your firewall isrunning.Firewallsactas a gate, ensuring only legitimate traffic makes it to your network andyour built-in webcam.
- Change the password on yourwireless webcam.Thousands of wireless webcams are out therewith the same default password coded into them by their manufacturer. Ifyou update the default password to something unique and complex, you can improveyour webcam security.
- Update your operating systemsand software.Cybercriminals can compromise devices anddownload viruses onto them by exploiting vulnerabilities found in theoperating system or popular software. Be sure youupdate tothe latest versionsto patch security flaws.
- Avoid suspicious links orattachments.Cybercriminals often use phishing emails todeliver a webcam virus or malware.6Only open emails and click on links or download attachments from addressesyou trust.
- Use a sliding webcam cover.It’sa simple solution – slide the cover when you want to talk face-to-facewith someone and close it when you’re not using it.
Followthese tips, and you’ll be onyour way to living a more private connected life.
2https://www.statista.com/topics/5054/cyber-crime-in-india/
3https://www.nortonlifelock.com/us/en/research-labs/research-areas/social-good/
4https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-emerging-threats-what-is-social-engineering.html
5https://us.norton.com/internet-security
6https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-online-scams-what-is-phishing.html
- Norton
Norton empowers people and families around the world to feel safer in their digital lives
Editorial note:Our articles provide educational information for you. Our offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Our goal is to increase awareness about Cyber Safety. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. The Norton and LifeLock brands are part of Gen Digital Inc.
