Is it possible for someone to hack into your webcam?

I think you have a very low opinion of CS undergrads... A simple hack with already written software on some poorly written camera just isn't that difficult. You can ask them yourself... What exactly is your objection?

+ CS grads don't do much security work anyway...

I don't have a low opinion of CS grads, I think it's one of the best degrees and I highly respect the field, I have a low opinion of hotshots who think they know better than industry experts who have been handpicked for their natural talent and have years of experience to boot.

Can you name one for me?

Just one more question:
Why do you think companies like Red Hat, SUSE, Google, Ubuntu don't use anti-virus software, and yet their products are run on most web servers, sensitive computers and even NASA?

As far as i'm concerned i'm just saying what all the experts have been saying for years.

Yes, it likely is possible. My parents have covered up their webcam with tape after finding out this is possible (as they don't use their webcam). I do use mine so am not covering it but I am very careful about what websites I visit so the chances of anything happening are virtually zero.

John McAfee.


Firstly Ubuntu is not a company, it's an operating system. The reason they don't use antivirus software is likely because they their own bespoke inhouse security systems because a) they can afford it and b) they know they are likely targets for professional hacking groups.

Yes but most webcams now have a light which HAS to turn on when the camera is in use so you will know.

Believe me, you don't need the slightest bit of intelligence to pull this off. I'm confident that you could type into Youtube "How to hack into a webcam" and a tutorial would come up explaining all there is to know.

I take Computer-Science, so I know a bit about this. A 'Hacker' or a 'Script kiddie' will purchase a RAT (Remote Administration Tool). Having access to a RAT means you can build a virus/stub, this is what gives 'hackers' remote administration over your computer. All they need to do is send you the virus, you download it and then they can do anything they want with your computer.

Note:

Said light appears whenever I turn on my laptop.

Should I be worried?

lol omg

I give up

Now you're resorting to pedantry, I know it's not a company, but if I said the company name you might not have known what it was

Here take a look for yourself
https://access.redhat.com/solutions/9203

does it turn on as soon as you press the power button? or when windows is fully loaded?

Just curious. Could someone potentially hack into your laptop's webcam and then spy on you/observe you through it from their computer?
So I could be being watched right now as I type this?

As soon as I press the power button.

Sorry, I am not good with technology. I know it is probably nothing, but I wanted to check. X3

Saying some operating systems don't come with anti-virus software because by their nature they are less vulnerable to attack is not the same as saying anti-virus software is useless for those operating systems such as Windows which are more vulnerable.

then no, just sounds like a malfuntion, the camera cant turn on that fast. Still tape your webcam just incase though

They are vulnerable due to poor design choices, AV is ineffective way of dealing with these. You've been asking for the opinions of experts, and I get that fine, anyone can claim anything on the Internet, but Red Hat, a multi million dollar company which is extremely well known and authoritative, has said they don't see the need in anti virus software on their systems. You either do or you don't want the opinions of experts...

Any idea how to solve the malfunction? XD

Thank you a lot

How many of the girls on here who are afraid of having their nudes stolen are running Linux?