Am I being watched by my laptop camera? All information
If you are concerned that you are being watched by your laptop camera, you are not alone. We'll show you how to protect your webcam from hackers here.
How safe are laptop cameras?
- A virus can quickly put you out of control of your computer. In the meantime, many viruses no longer want to destroy uselessly, but want to spy on your data.
- Tapping integrated webcams or external USB cameras is child's play for hackers. The required tools are accessible to everyone with a little effort.
- Even if a light usually shines when the camera is activated, this does not mean complete protection. This security mechanism can also be switched off with a little more effort.
Laptop camera: am I really being watched?
- If a hacker has access to your laptop camera, he also has access to your entire computer. If you get hacked, you should generally be more concerned about your sensitive data than your camera.
- If the hacker does not target your bank details, extortion remains as a possible motive. As long as you don't get the right pictures in front of your computer, you don't have to worry much here.
Protect laptop camera from hackers
The most effective and safest protection against webcam espionage is and remains to tape the camera with a sticky note, plaster or tape. Alternatively, you can completely deactivate your webcam, but if in doubt, the hacker can reactivate it.
- Press the [Windows] and [R] keys simultaneously so that the "Execute" command opens.
- Enter "devmgmt.msc" here and confirm with "OK". Then the device manager starts.
- Open the category "Image Processing Devices" and look for the camera here.
- Right-click on the entry and select the "Deactivate" option.
- If you are not using the camera anyway, you can directly select the "Uninstall" option.
- Note: If the camera is needed again, simply select the "Activate" or "Install" option.
Protect your PC from viruses and hackers
- To prevent hackers from even being able to monitor your laptop camera, you should protect your computer from viruses.
- This includes anti-virus software such as avast Premier 2015 and an independent virus scanner such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. Check your system regularly for pests.
- However, software alone does not protect you from the dangers. The correct handling of spam mails and a certain caution when surfing are also part of a secure PC. You can find more tips, tricks and tools for a virus-free PC in this practical tip.
