I always feel like somebody is watching me!
By Christopher Nelson CISSP
While having lunch with my son, we discussed getting an upgrade to his video game. We talked about different platforms and tools to enhance the experience. Strangely enough, the next day advertisements started popping up on my devices about new games and gaming keyboards.
Many people believe that our conversations are being recorded and analyzed while at the same time being used for marketing purposes. On the extreme end of the privacy spectrum, hackers can access cameras and microphones on your devices and record your actions and conversations without being detected.
Should we be concerned? Yes, very concerned that our most private actions can be accessed and shared on the internet without our permission. In many situations, hackers may use these private videos to blackmail you with threats of sharing them on the internet, with your friends and on social media. In many cases, they do not actually have any videos, but they use it as tactic to get your money.
So, they question is, how do you reduce the risk of this happening on your Computer, Tablet or Phone?
• Step 1 – Turn off or obscure your computer’s webcam. You should never leave a camera on and open when it is not in use. A webcam cover is your best security defense against webcam hacking. Many are sold online, or if you are on a budget, a simple piece of black tape can be used until something more formal can be put in place.
• Step 2 – Turn off your camera
o iPhone Go to Settings > Restriction’s tab > Camera app > Toggle it to grey.
o Android Phone Go to Settings > Apps > Camera app > Permissions > Disable camera with toggle.
• Step 3 – Disable or Mute your microphone when it is not in use to make sure no one is listening.
• Step 4 – Install anti-malware software and use good passwords. A strong security suite includes antivirus, anti-spyware, a firewall, and other tools to stop hackers from getting in.
Encourage your family and friends to be more aware and cyber secure with these tips.