You already know that laptops, desktop computers, tablets and mobile phones are all at risk of being hacked. But did you know that intruders might use the built-in camera to take surreptitious pictures and videos of you and your surroundings or hijack your microphone to eavesdrop on conversations?
Read below 3 tips on how to protect your self against hackers.
Continue reading after the cut....
1. Ensure the camera you buy allows you to change the default password.
2. If manual doesn't explain how to do this, call manufacturer and get clear guidance.
3. Take time to set up a strong password and change it regularly.
***Fortunately, WIRED is here with a solution: Cover your camera lens with a sticker.
It’s low-tech, to be sure. But it works.
A sticker is better than a Post-It, which can lose its adhesion and fall off. Gaffer tape works nicely, too, but can leave a residue.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has created webcam stickers that you can order for just five bucks. The black vinyl emblems are designed with a special adhesive that won’t leave a residue on the camera lens when you remove it. With EFF’s logo on them, they also make a civil liberties statement.
If you want to make a more stylish statement, however, Etsy offers several options, including a Hello Kitty web cam cover, emoticon stickers, and a pink skull-and-crossbones for laptop cams, and a crocheted ghost cozy for external web cams.
If you use your laptop camera often for Skyping and video conferencing, you might prefer the C-slide, which uses a sliding door to cover and uncover your camera’s eye.
Sadly, covering your camera still won’t prevent spies, intruders and even web sites and phone apps from surreptitiously turning on the internal microphone on your computer or mobile phone, computer, or VoIP phone and listening in on conversations.
Muting the mic won’t work, since it’s possible for an intruder to unmute it. Your best defense is probably to insert a dummy plug into the microphone jack to prevent sound from being picked up by the internal mic. You can create a dummy plug by simply cutting off the unneeded portion of an old microphone plug. This won’t prevent someone from listening to your conversations when you need the mic, such as when using Skype, but it will at least thwart them from using the microphone on their own without you knowing.
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