You look at your PC or Mac and notice the webcam light is on. But wait, you haven’t even opened your camera.
Hackers or even some creepy admins in a chat room can remotely take over webcams. Terrifying.
Here are five signs that your webcam is hacked.
1. Is the webcam light on when you’re not using it?
Your light should only come on when the camera is in use. If it lights up out of nowhere, it has possibly been hacked.
2. Weird icons or unfamiliar programs pop up on your desktop.
Got these? Creeps could’ve installed software to access your webcam.
3. Unexpected pop-ups and documents in your files.
That’s another red flag.
4. Friends start receiving weird messages or emails from you.
Your webcam could be compromised and the hacker is sending and receiving data from it.
5. There are browser extensions that you didn’t install yourself.
Hackers use them to access your webcam. One clear sign is if the light turns on when you open your browser.
Now that you know the signs of a hacked webcam, let’s review some preventative measures.
Prevent hackers from accessing your webcam
Webcam cover
Years ago, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg told the world that he covered his webcam with tape. That’s effective, but it can mess up your camera.
A webcam cover is easy to slip onto your laptop. It’s easy to remove and the best part is that it doesn’t damage your webcam with sticky glue. This 12-pack of webcam covers fits most laptops, desktop PCs and smartphones.
Click here for more webcam cover options.
Keep software updated
Ensure that your operating system, webcam drivers and applications (especially video conferencing software) are always up to date. Updates often include security patches that address known vulnerabilities.
Use a reliable antivirus and firewall
Install reputable antivirus software and enable a firewall on your computer. This will help prevent malware and unauthorized access to your system. We recommend our sponsor, TotalAV.
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Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication on your accounts, especially on platforms that use your webcam. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond just your password.
Review app permissions
Regularly review the permissions given to applications on your device, especially video-related apps. Only grant permission to apps that absolutely need access to your webcam, like official video chat programs like Zoom.
Use a virtual private network (VPN)
A VPN can encrypt your internet traffic, adding an extra layer of security to your online activities, including video conferencing. But you must use a trustworthy VPN to stay protected. We recommend our sponsor, ExpressVPN.
Protect yourself with the VPN that Kim uses and trusts. Visit ExpressVPN.com/Kim today for an extra three months free on a one-year package. You can’t beat that!
Avoid suspicious links and downloads
Be cautious about clicking on links or downloading files from unknown or untrusted sources, as they might contain malware that could compromise your webcam.
Stay off public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks are less secure, making it easier for hackers to intercept data, including webcam streams. Avoid using your webcam on public networks for sensitive activities.
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