Protection from Webcam Hackers

The more eagerly people clamour for technology in their lives, the more they should concentrate on protecting their privacy and security. In a world that is dominated by smartphones, tablets and the Internet of Things, it is important to remember that you are inviting more than just the latest gadget into your life and into your home. Given the opportunity, you are also giving hackers direct access to a place where you should feel at your safest.

One such entrance is through webcams. A revolutionary way to interact with friends and family over long distances, the webcam has quickly integrated itself into our lives and, whether you use it regularly or not, is a fixture attached to any number of devices. This innovative way for people to see and interact with you can become more sinister though, should it fall into the wrong hands. With built in webcams common place on laptops, pc’s and even televisions now, it is crucial that we understand the risks and fight against them.

Most recently stories have immerged of people receiving suspect emails from unknown sources with a series of images attached that show them during an evening at home, or in bed with their partner. In one such case the images weren’t just kept between the hacker and the person filmed, but were updated to her Facebook account, for others to view and comment on what were private moments. For the experienced hacker, even the supposed privacy settings put in place by Facebook were no match, with remote webcam hacking described as ‘straightforward’ by a number of cyber security experts.

Even more disturbing perhaps is reports that baby monitors have been found as equally vulnerable to hacking attacks, with even the industries finest lacking basic security features. If knowing that someone is able to watch your baby’s every move through a camera wasn’t upsetting enough, it has also been proven that a hacked camera can give criminals access to personal computers and security systems too, implanting malware onto your PC and rendering your home security obsolete. It brings us back to the Internet of Things and the interconnectivity of your household devices. It only takes one being inadequately protected and a hacker is in your network and away.

So how can you protect yourself? As far as keeping your devices safe is concerned it is critical that you are using an updated anti-virus or anti-malware software on all devices. You must also make sure that your Wi-Fi password is strong and that you are using a secure connection. Lastly keep an eye out for an indicator light illuminated on your webcam. On external webcams this will generally flash on when the camera is in use. If you do see a light on when it isn’t in use, then make sure to get your computer checked.

Unfortunately even this isn’t a foolproof measure, as once a hacker has access it is also likely that they can manipulate the light to ensure that you have no idea what is happening. Luckily at Digital Pathways we have the answer. Our latest WebCam sticker selection allows you to protect your privacy in style, with a range of sticker sizes to cover your webcam when it isn’t in use. From laptops, to PC’s and smartphones, keeping your camera covered is the only sure way of keeping prying eyes at bay.

To receive your own WebCam sticker set simply fill in the contact form or send us an email with your name and address and we will send you your own privacy protector completely free of charge.