Can strangers enable your webcam??

[-Elle-]

I once heard that strangers on the internet can enable your webcam from their computer! Of course it requires some sort of hacking or something, but I do remember it came from a reliable source,maybe a documentary or something, because it got stuck in my head.

At the time I didn't have one but now it's built into my new computer so it kinda freaks me out.

Does anyone know if this is actually possible?hew

 

[Snowflake]

Yes it's possible. Even your mic can be hacked. Put a sticker over the lens :embarrass


and.. http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/lookup+1/D8E4ECA7C8DF3185CA257393004592ED

 

[Beardo]

Yeah. My friend was telling me (whose in the US) that his cousin (in dubai) turned on his camera just by using his IP address.

I get scared because both my lappies have a webcam on them. Though, the light turns on when the cam is on, unless they have a way to turn that off...

 

[Vito]

Yeah. My friend was telling me (whose in the US) that his cousin (in dubai) turned on his camera just by using his IP address.

I get scared because both my lappies have a webcam on them. Though, the light turns on when the cam is on, unless they have a way to turn that off...

There are cameras that are network based where it can be configured and monitored remotely. The basic webcams that are built into these laptops are no where near as advanced as those. If he controlled his friends webcam through an IP address, then he either has one of those cameras that support remote connectivity or he had remote access to his computer which can easily be disabled or more secured (whatever his case may be).

@houda~, yes the possibility is there but, I wouldn't be concerned about it to be honest. If it bothers you, you can always disable it whenever you aren't using it and re-enable it. And once your computer loses internet connectivity (shut down, sleep / hibernate mode / etc.) no one can do anything unless they were physically there.

 

[-Elle-]

Yes it's possible. Even your mic can be hacked. Put a sticker over the lens :embarrass


and.. http://www.pcuser.com.au/pcuser/hs2.nsf/lookup+1/D8E4ECA7C8DF3185CA257393004592ED

lol! seriously I think I might do that. I checked out the website, oh my Lord...I really hate webcams but most laptops have them built-in nowadays so I didn't really have a choice.

Yeah. My friend was telling me (whose in the US) that his cousin (in dubai) turned on his camera just by using his IP address.

I get scared because both my lappies have a webcam on them. Though, the light turns on when the cam is on, unless they have a way to turn that off...

:|

@houda~, yes the possibility is there but, I wouldn't be concerned about it to be honest. If it bothers you, you can always disable it whenever you aren't using it and re-enable it. And once your computer loses internet connectivity (shut down, sleep / hibernate mode / etc.) no one can do anything unless they were physically there.

Well,when you wear hijab even 0.000001% possibility is enough to freak you out...i don't mean to be paranoid but I always had this question in the back of my mind,I never really cared though since I never wanted a webcam.

So I did disable it, but is that enough or should I completly remove the program from my computer? The camera itself will still be there though so I don't see the point in uninstalling the camera...

I think I need to go buy some stickers.lol

 

[Alphadude]

Yes it's true.hackers can do that but If you have any viruses or anything on your computer it can let the other person spy on you.

Scanning your PC regularly can make a big difference but still consider turning the webcam off or unplugging it when not in use. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Vito]

Yea you can disable it and even uninstall it completely if you aren't going to use it. I don't know what your using but you can do it from device manager.

Here is if you are using windows xp: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/accessdmcmuxp.htm

Here is if you are using windows vista / 7 : http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsvista/f/opendmvista.htm

Once your in the device manager, you will have to click around to find the webcam. I'm not sure where those things are located. Once you find it, just right click on it and either hit disable or uninstall. If you decide to uninstall it, you will have to reinstall the drivers by either downloading it or from a cd if it came with one.

 

[Alphadude]

Yea you can disable it and even uninstall it completely if you aren't going to use it. I don't know what your using but you can do it from device manager.

Here is if you are using windows xp: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/accessdmcmuxp.htm

Here is if you are using windows vista / 7 : http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsvista/f/opendmvista.htm

Once your in the device manager, you will have to click around to find the webcam. I'm not sure where those things are located. Once you find it, just right click on it and either hit disable or uninstall. If you decide to uninstall it, you will have to reinstall the drivers by either downloading it or from a cd if it came with one.

it does not matter if the hacker has access to you pc and infected your pc with a virus then u dont have the control they can turn it on

 

[Afg]

I guess then covering the lens with something should do.

 

[Vito]

it does not matter if the hacker has access to you pc and infected your pc with a virus then u dont have the control they can turn it on

They can't turn it on if it isn't installed. And most antivirus programs are enough to prevent these files from getting on your computer, even the free ones.

 

[-Elle-]

it does not matter if the hacker has access to you pc and infected your pc with a virus then u dont have the control they can turn it on

yeah thats what I thought too..I regularly scan my computer, so I guess that's good.

They can't turn it on if it isn't installed. And most antivirus programs are enough to prevent these files from getting on your computer, even the free ones.

So if I uninstall it completly nothing to worry about? Maybe that's what I'll do then...I have an antivirus program,so insh'Allah that'll help.

Anyway, now I know that I wasn't completly wrong about webcams, I suggest others to take precaution also...:skeleton: creepy world out there. Sometimes I wonder if the Internet causes more harm or good. but that's another thread!

 

[Alpha Dude]

Ever since I heard about hackers being able to gain access to webcams, I always used some masking tape to cover it up.

It felt as though I was being watched. :><:

 

[Cabdullahi]

the 'ultimate hint' is found in the fact that every laptop has a cctv camera and now monitors are also being made with these cctvs

 

[Allaah Knows]

:O SubhaanAllaah I didn't know this!

JazaakumuLlaahu khayr

 

[-Elle-]

Ever since I heard about hackers being able to gain access to webcams, I always used some masking tape to cover it up.

good to know that im not the only one a bit paranoid:hmm:

But doesn't masking tape ruin the look of your laptop? isn't there anything else you can use...all I can think of is stickers,which aren't that better..


It felt as though I was being watched.

the 'ultimate hint' is found in the fact that every laptop has a cctv camera and now monitors are also being made with these cctvs

what's cctvs??...

:O SubhaanAllaah I didn't know this!

JazaakumuLlaahu khayr

scary huh:skeleton:

 

[Raaina]

:| ok this thread is worrying.

I've never heard of this before.

 

[Cabdullahi]

good to know that im not the only one a bit paranoid:hmm:

But doesn't masking tape ruin the look of your laptop? isn't there anything else you can use...all I can think of is stickers,which aren't that better..


It felt as though I was being watched.





what's cctvs??...

 

[Alpha Dude]

But doesn't masking tape ruin the look of your laptop? isn't there anything else you can use...all I can think of is stickers,which aren't that better..

Nahh it's ok. Just make a neat cut and place it over the cam. You don't notice it after a while. Besides, it's about getting use out of the laptop, not about how pretty it is. :hmm:

Replace the tape every so often (after wiping the plastic) so that no sticky marks are left over (not that there usually is).

 

[Vito]

So if I uninstall it completly nothing to worry about? Maybe that's what I'll do then...I have an antivirus program,so insh'Allah that'll help.

Yea. No need to put tape or anything over it if you can't even use it in the first place.

 

[-Elle-]

:| ok this thread is worrying.

I've never heard of this before.

Worries me too sis..

Oh God.:muddlehea

Nahh it's ok. Just make a neat cut and place it over the cam. You don't notice it after a while. Besides, it's about getting use out of the laptop, not about how pretty it is. :hmm:

Replace the tape every so often (after wiping the plastic) so that no sticky marks are left over (not that there usually is).

Lol true, I guess because I just got it, I am concerned with it's aesthetics...but that's nothing compared to eliminating the risk of hackers (however minim a chance they might have) of seeing you...yikes.

Sticker it is then, jazak'Allah kheir all!