Who is Watching You and Why?
Category
Awareness, Cybersecurity Fundamentals, Guides, Privacy
Risk Level
In the musical words of Rockwell, 🎵 “I always feel like somebody’s watching me - and I have no privacy.” 🎵Who might be watching you through your webcam, and what can you do to stop it?
The global pandemic and the increase of remote workers has led to a surge in online video conferencing using tools such as Zoom and Google Meet - Zoom alone has tripled its user base since 2019. Since that transition, we’ve learned to be professional in front of the camera, but that’s not always the case as there are many funny videos about people dressing in a shirt and tie with sweatpants on, kids running into meetings while their parents are doing live interviews with news stations, or even slurping soup while the camera is still on. However, some amusing videos could turn into nightmares if a hacker is on the opposite side of the meeting.
“Why do hackers want to hack our webcams?”
Hackers frequently focus on attacking webcams to access private information, invade the privacy of others, catch humiliating or intimate moments on camera, and blackmail their victims by threatening to release the footage. Hackers may also access webcams to perform other types of cybercrime, such as identity theft, fraud, or extortion. Spying on people would allow them to obtain individuals' private information, which they might use for their financial advantage. This kind of risk is not only significant for you, but also for your organization. Corporate meetings are often held online due to the growing popularity of remote work. During those meeting sessions, the conversation might include sensitive or proprietary information that hackers can obtain and sell for their own financial gain.
“How do they get access?”
Hackers can get unauthorized access through various tactics - often taking advantage of software, operating systems, hardware vulnerabilities, or tricking users into downloading malicious files, like Remote Access Trojans (RATs). Once they have access to a system, hackers can activate webcams or microphones without the user’s knowledge and utilize them for malicious purposes, such as spying on their victims or stealing sensitive information.
“No thank you! What can I do to protect myself? “
❯ Always update: Install security updates as soon as they become available for your operating systems, applications, or browsers. Installing these security patches are critical for safeguarding your devices and maintaining a secure digital presence.
❯ Check the source: Exercise caution when downloading files from sites that cannot be relied upon, like torrenting sites, since the downloaded files can be infected with malware. This would make it easy for a hacker to gain access to your computer system if you have not taken adequate precautions to protect yourself beforehand.
❯ Use strong passwords: Choosing a robust password that cannot be easily guessed is one of the most important actions that can be taken. This means avoiding common words that may easily give away your identity and ensuring that your password is an alphanumeric combination that, if at all feasible, includes both lower and upper case letters, numbers, and symbols. It is recommended that you use a password that is at least eight characters long (check out our Password Table for why you should select a strong password).
❯ Set up Two-factor authentication (2FA): In addition to a strong password, utilizing two-factor authentication whenever possible can provide an extra layer of protection against unwelcome intrusions into your accounts associated with webcams or other connected devices. This is because two-factor authentication requires a combination of a password and a security key or an approval that can only be accessed by you. However, don’t overlook the importance of protecting your password and any other accounts that are associated with your device or webcam. Even if your password is compromised, having that second factor can be the difference between a normal day and a bad time!
❯ Add a physical barrier: If you look at the LED indicator lights next to your webcam, you can tell whether your webcam is turned on or not. However, you shouldn't put too much trust in these lights on their own because some sophisticated hackers can activate the webcam while disabling the light indicator. Due to these factors, modern technology measures are sometimes insufficient to prevent hacking, but traditional approaches can still be highly beneficial and serve the necessary purpose. Therefore, covering your webcam with duct tape, a webcam cover, or another physical object when not in use can prevent hackers from using your webcam.
❯ Use VPN: Last but not least, it is always a good idea to use a VPN to safeguard your information when accessing the internet, especially if you are using public wifi. This makes it more difficult for hackers to spy on you. As you proactively take these security measures, you can safely control your overall digital presence and protect against potential cybersecurity threats.
Interested in hearing more about what’s going on in the cybersecurity world and how to stay connected with the latest security topics? Make sure to read our other Approachable Cyber Threats (ACT) posts and subscribe to our ACT Digest to receive updates on the latest cybersecurity threats - straight to your inbox!
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