I saw one of my nearby friend loses a massive amount of money due to his insecure Webcam. As he was unconcerned about his Webcam’s privacy and security, hackers easily had hacked his Webcam and got a chance to claim money against some of his video recordings.
From then on, I know exactly why do people cover their webcams! And from the bitter experience my friends have faced, I am today come here with my today’s session.
I aim to make you conscious about your Webcam so that you never have to face such a situation.
Let’s start-
How can Webcam be a Security Threat for you?
If any user does not take proper safety precautions related to their Webcam, it can be a significant threat to the user’s security.
Presently, we use two types of Webcam.
Wireless Webcam:
Wireless Webcam doesn’t need any wire to set on the Laptop or Desktop. These webcams have an IP address with a password. If any user unconsciously set this Webcam leaving the password on a Default Option, anybody can get the IP address and easily hack the password.
Built-in Webcam:
For proceeding any video conversation, a built-in webcam is incomparable to others. This Webcam is situated on a laptop, tablet, etc. The user has a security threat from this Webcam as this Webcam can be attacked by a virus-like malware.
Cybercriminals can easily take control over all functions of this Webcam once any viruses attack it. Even cyberthieves also can auto on or off the Webcam stopping the LED lights. In this way, they also can record the sight and sound surrounding the Webcam and can proceed with their evil intentions.
Why Do People Cover Their Webcams?
A webcam is present on the Laptop, Desktop, Smartphone Tablet, etc. People usage Webcam to chitchat with friends and family by seeing them face to face. However, a webcam makes you see your favorite one (even he/she is thousands of miles far from you).
It also can bring some dangers to you. Hackers or cybercriminals can hack your Webcam to see the surroundings and get the sound related to you. Even in the middle of your Webcam use, hackers can hack access by turning off the LED light situated on your Webcam. So, you don’t have any chance to recognize who hacked the access.
If you cover your Webcam, mainly when you are unknown about the other sides, it can prevent cyber thieves from seeking the way to steal any info relates to you. Further, it can avoid the chance of hacking your online bank info, other financial data, or essential social info.
The malware virus also could invade your Webcam’s function and can record what your Webcam is seeing. So, if the Webcam is situated on any personal or officially sensitive place, the malware also could record the site to proceed for malicious purposes finally.
Malware can record any sensitive sight or documents through your Webcam and can send it to the cyber-criminal. As a cybercriminal is not the right person, he/she can use those documents or records to blackmail you or cause another victim’s distress.
You could stop let it happen only by covering your Webcam.
So, the main thing is, to stop the chance of getting access over the Webcam by any cybercriminal, people often cover their Webcam. Besides this, it is also a privacy concern. Who wants to expose his/her living room/kitchen/office or even him or herself unnecessarily to the unknown from opposite sides?
How Can I Improve My Webcam’s Privacy & Security?
Yea, if you have a habit of covering your Webcam maximum time, it could ensure your Webcam’s privacy and security. But still, you need to follow some tips to ensure your Webcam’s extreme privacy and security. Here they are-
1. If you are using your laptop and tablet, please install an effective antivirus to abolish your device’s malware. A built-in webcam can quickly attack by the virus, and cyber hackers can easily take the chance to take control over Webcam. Therefore, set an antivirus software and routinely update it.
2. Check whether your firewall is running well or not. If the firewall is properly run on your laptop, it will act as a border gate to approve only legitimate traffic access to your Webcam.
3. When you purchase a commercial in-built webcam from the market, you need to change the password from the default option to your unique choice.
4. Update all your software and operating system on your laptop, desktop, and tablet. The current version of your OS and all the updated apps can stop being hacked by Webcam.
5. Do not open any suspicious link, attachment. Cyberhackers can send you some links or attachments to hack your Webcam by those links.
6. Finally, cover your Webcam when you are not using it for any video conversation. It is the best solution. In this way, hackers cannot take the view of their surroundings even though they have hacked your Webcam.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Does My Smartphone's Webcam Also Could be a Security Threat for Me?
Basically, your smartphone's front camera rarely could be a security threat for you. Generally, nobody opens their phone's Webcam and holds the phone as a way so that people from another side can see anything without a video connection. Moreover, when people don't use their phones, they tucked it away inside their wallet, purse, etc.
Do I have to Cover My Laptop's Webcam?
Yes, you have to! If you don't want to hand over all your sensitive and official surrounding recordings to any cyber hacker, there is no alternate covering the Webcam of your laptop. Covering the Webcam doesn't stop hackers from hacking your camera, but it contains the chance to get the surrounding areas video and sound recording.
Final Verdict:
So, this is the explanation of why do people cover their webcams. Webcams are very useful to see your dearest person living, yet he or she is living far from you.
As this useful gadget can also be a security threat for us, we should maintain all the possible ways to stop such kind of chance.
Follow the tips I have given, enjoy the excellent webcam features without any security threats.
