Warning to people with Webcams: I can see you!

1. 70

   TimTurnerposted 14 years ago

   I found a message board (not going to mention the site) that has tons and tons of security cams and webcams across the WORLD that you can watch.
   
   The site is run by hackers that can turn on your webcam without you knowing.
   
   There are HUNDREDS of webcams in living rooms, offices and bedrooms on the site and you watch everything from a family watching TV to some intimate stuff in their bedroom.  I was shocked.
   
   There are also countless of security cams in stores, banks, universities and even parking lots (boring) that you can watch.
   
   I have no idea how these hackers do this.
   
   But, again, just a warning to anyone with webcams....there could be thousands of people watching you and you don't even know it.  The hackers even include the city/state/country of the personal cams.  I've even seen a few addresses.
   
   I put a piece of tape over my webcam when I'm not using it  hahaha
   
   That message board creeped me out!!!

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   1. 60

      Friendlywordposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      My webcam lights up like a Christmas tree when it is on.  You think they can bypass that? You creeped me out!

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      1. 59

         schapzposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I believe there's no way to bypass this, as it's a hardware function. But please, do correct me if I'm wrong.

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         1. 61

            Nxt Borrelposted 3 years agoin reply to this

            Luckely most pc's and laptops do have the cam installed as hardware so hackers can't change the settings on a distance. But still they can use your cam when you didn't completely turn off your laptop. If it is is sleeping mode they can open your cam.

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   2. 53

      JohnStewardtposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Tim - if you are interested in a legitimate product to prevent webcam hacking - google camJAMR Webcam Covers or go to www.camjamr.com
      
      I love using them. They work just as advertised. Just figured I'd help out!
      
      Cheers

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   3. 0

      Stevennix2001posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Kind of old news to be honest, as I could've told you that, and I'm a dumbass.  lol.  Just kidding.   All jokes aside yeah this is why you should never leave your webcam hooked up to your pc when your not using it.  And if you have a laptop with a built in webcam, you should always try to find ways to keep that covered up unless you want to use it for something.

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2. 60

   Black Lillyposted 14 years ago

   hm.. ok.
   All my laptops have an in-built webcams, though I never use them - should I cover those?

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   1. 70

      TimTurnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah, I would.
      
      These hackers are crazy.

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   2. 53

      JohnStewardtposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Check out camJAMR Webcam Covers. I use them on all of my devices with built-in web cameras. You just stick them over the lens, and remove them when you want to use the camera. They are specially designed for this use, they work great. www.camjamr.com

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3. 85

   rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

   I never use a web cam for that purpose.

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   1. 70

      TimTurnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It doesn't matter what you use your webcam for.  They can turn it on, without you knowing, and watch you do anything.  You can just be sitting there doing paperwork but people could be watching you.
      
      It's crazy.

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      1. 85

         rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         I don't use one, it's in my garage sale pile unopened, unused.
         do you use a mac or pc?

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4. 70

   TimTurnerposted 14 years ago

   Oh and another thing....the site promotes a company that sells a program that you can record anything on the webcam.
   
   I guess that's their goal is to get you to buy that.
   
   So you can record what's happening on the webcam that you're watching.  In other words, you're most intimate moments could be recorded and traded amongst people because someone, not only watched you, but recorded it.
   
   That site seriously freaked me out.  Put a piece of tape on your webcam whenever you're not using it people!

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5. 57

   Brian Leightonposted 14 years ago

   If your anti-virus software is configured correctly, then you would not have unmonitered ports left open. By visiting the website, it is possible they had a malware script built in that ran but I seriously doubt if it could activate your webcam...

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   1. 85

      rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      yes, and enable your firewall and especially if on a pc remember spyware does not guard against peripherals which would include a separate webcam. you need a super anti-spyware.
      
      if using wireless wabcam or wireless router enable your security key and use highest encryption available.

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      1. 62

         prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         that is just crazy, thanks for the information Ms RebekahElle

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6. 56

   wrenfrost56posted 14 years ago

   OMG! Creepy!

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7. 83

   Don Wposted 14 years ago

   it's big brother with a viral twist

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   1. 65

      darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      It's more like little brother peeping through keyholes that they shouldn't.
      
      If any hackers are bothered accessing my webcam right now they must be infinitely bored.
      
      Or like the sight of a man who has just got out of bed, sitting in a dressing gown, sipping on a coffee, looking unkempt.

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         Miss Takeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         ugh you look terrible, really terrible......

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      2. 56

         Dame Scribeposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Alright, DS, no need to tease us single ladies with such a visual as for guys, the tumble out of bed look can be hot for gals too you know lucky you are married, hehehe

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         1. 58

            heckstallmaffeiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            lol

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8. 69

   waynetposted 14 years ago

   Oh no! what if I am doing the five knuckle shuffle and they are watching, when it's on it goes red and when it's not it's green so I may be safe!!lol!

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   1. 65

      darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      What's the difference between pink and purple?

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9. 0

   Crazdwriterposted 14 years ago

   Hey if they wanna see me without makeup on, my hair all over the place, and me looking like crap...they really must be bored.
   
   What losers!

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10. 62

    Lisa HWposted 14 years ago

    That (possibly paranoid) thought has occurred to me, which is why I won't connect the little webcam I have (although my PC is in the main part of the house, and all anyone would see is me sitting in front of the screen from one end of the day to the next. 

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11. 61

    Dee Dee MonSherieposted 14 years ago

    Do you have to be signed up with webcam software for a laptop video cam to be activated remotely?

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12. 49

    kdawg001posted 14 years ago

    Question?
    My webcam on my laptop has a blue light that turns on when my webcam is active. Would they (hackers) be able to disable this??

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13. 61

    Jane@CMposted 14 years ago

    I'm sorry, I can't really believe this.  I know when my webcam is on, which is rare.
    
    Gosh, they'd be pretty frickin bored looking at this old Grey haired lady in her jamies LOL LOL, if I smile, do you think they can tell I haven't brushed my teeth

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14. 0

    TMinutposted 14 years ago

    Maybe one of them can find Misha for us! :-)

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15. 0

    cosetteposted 14 years ago

    well, if it puts a tiny thrill into their drab little lives...
    
    (seriously, those people are crazy! isn't peeping tomism a felony?)

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16. 61

    ediggityposted 14 years ago

    Maybe the ladies should add this to the, "How To Find A Good Man!!!" thread.  With this method you may just find one.

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       Dee Dee MonSherieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Lol!  You are so fun!!!

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17. 66

    Blogging Erikaposted 14 years ago

    I'm a little skeptical of this, honestly.  I think it's more likely that all the video on that site was scraped and pre-recorded, as a tease to get you to buy their software.  Totally fake, in other words.
    
    But it's a great example of why you want to have a firewall set up, AND a router between you and the outside world.  And some good antivirus software as well.

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18. 80

    sabrebIadeposted 14 years ago

    I think I saw them do that on NCIS: LA or one of the hundreds of police shows I watch...LOL

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19. 0

    lyricsingrayposted 14 years ago

    This just freaked me right out and made me put some clothes on

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20. 66

    Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

    I think one peek at me in the morning is enough to have them run screaming from their computer. I am not worried.

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21. 69

    Choke Franticposted 14 years ago

    Oh crud. I've always been paranoid that someone could do that. I recently got over this fear, dismissing the capability of anyone to do this... Now its actually happening! I think I might try the tape idea!

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22. 0

    mtsi1098posted 14 years ago

    I see you all now - you are all writing in a forum on hubpages

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    1. 0

       Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Mine is in a drawer with my undies... not plugged in to my comp... Im glad it's not hooked up or  they might get off on watching me do the dishes!

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          A Driveby Quipperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          Tease.

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             Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

             I do laundry too.

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23. 93

    FatFreddysCatposted 11 years ago

    Thankfully I don't own a webcam... and I'm certainly not going to buy one now (shudder)

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24. 86

    Marisa Wrightposted 11 years ago

    I don't own a webcam (yes, I know, antideluvian) but if I did, I'd just unplug it when I wasn't using it.

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    1. 59

       schapzposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Not that easy to unplug a webcam stuck inside your laptop I'm afraid

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    2. 52

       charlie dickinsposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       If you unplug it they just plug it back in and continue watching everything you do. You cannot even put something over the camera, because they use x ray and they are actually watching you from the screen itself. They are very very determined to be your friend whether you like it or not... Just ignore and let them finish doing things to themselves to you and hopefully there's not too many of them and it will end soon... there's thousands of them , so we all have a problem and something needs to be done.

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25. 85

    prospectboyposted 11 years ago

    This is definitely disturbing news here. I have one webcam that I brought for my computer, and one built into my Netbook. They both light up whenever they're in use, so I assumed that that would let me know if I was being watched. Anyway, I seldom use my webcam on my Netbook, but I think I'm going to start unplugging the one hooked to computer whenever I'm not using it.

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26. 85

    agvulpesposted 11 years ago

    So "Person of Interest" is actually a 'documentary'
    For laptop users, If you are really worried just cut up a piece of cardboard and bend it over the screen lid of your laptop

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27. 89

    Doctor Kristyposted 11 years ago

    This story freaked me out enough to put blu-tack over my webcam years ago:
    
    http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2010/04/webcamscanda/
    http://boingboing.net/2010/02/17/school … udent.html

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28. 94

    HoneyBBposted 11 years ago

    I have also heard that this happens a while back. The important thing to remember is that Your Webcam does Not have to be on. They can still get in it. Some companies started making laptops with little sliding doors so people can close them denying access to hackers specifically because hackers were doing this to people.  I sometimes put something over mine but sometimes I don't care enough to go look for something to cover it up with.

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29. 67

    Pearldiverposted 11 years ago

    I have trained my cat to stand for hours, backwards, with his tail up and...
    
    Stand still with 3 paws on the 'F' key and 1 paw the 'O' key ('F' 'O' 'F' 'F')...
    
    and..
    
    To anyone checking out my webcam... It must look some @SS is looking back at them!
    
    I always wonder... which @ss will 'Twitch' First?? 

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30. 0

    Brenda Durhamposted 11 years ago

    This is just wrong.
    Thanks for the warning.
    Is it just laptops or is it any computer?

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31. 60

    paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

    But wait! There's more...
    
    "Your favorite Android app could be tracking you right now"
    
    http://now.msn.com/android-apps-collect … ation-data
    
    And so it goes...

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32. 65

    Cheeky Girlposted 11 years ago

    Most mobile phones can do this. Actually mobile phones are notorious for doing this, and even security software installed on iPhones has helped to catch thieves by sapping their picture and putting them on the web. But for the wise, cover the camera when you don't want to use. Too many pervs out there.

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33. 69

    waynetposted 11 years ago

    I heard that if you are about to have a sly five knuckle shuffle, then your webcam activates and records your thoughts too.....I'm thinking that all electrical devices do this, so you should watch out for your Toaster as the toast pops up...it could mean that someone has been watching you crack one out whilst waiting for the Toast to be ready!

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       SimeyCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Remind me never to have toast at your house!

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          bBereanposted 11 years agoin reply to this

          I've seen breakfasts at Waynet's house through his toaster before, and let me tell you, you'll be missing out.

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          1. 89

             SimeyCposted 11 years agoin reply to this

             I'm just not asking for cream in my coffee

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       Beth37posted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Im pretty sure if that's taking place at Waynes house, we wouldn't need a translation for his thoughts.

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34. 67

    Pearldiverposted 10 years ago

    Psssssssst.....
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Psssstt....
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Psssst..
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Down Here......
    
    
    
    
    
    I can see a Spammer, all over this thread....
    
    
    But it's only visible when..
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Pssst... Sorry.... I was saying that you can only see the spammer if:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    I'm trying to say this quickly.... but you can only see them if
    
    
    
    
    
    Oh..... No!!!   
    
    
    
    If..
    You use....
    the..
    
    ENTER key.....
    
    
    Phewwww this is really hard!!
    
    
    While you hold down
    
    
    Oh No!! 
    
    The control key with your nose
    
    
    AND LOOK towards
    
    
    
    The upper left corner of your screen.... (there that's better ).... then
    
    
    
    OMG  OMG  OMG!!
    
    I can't believe what I'm seeing....
    
    
    
    OMG....
    
    Soooooo that's where my Peanut Butter toastie got to......
    
    Nope.... sorry.... false alarm...
    
    Nope....
    
    It's that spammer  JohnStewardt  and he's...
    
    having breakfast at Waynet's place!!
    
    Now..... I wonder why he's.....
    
    
    
    hang on....
    
    
    
    why he's.....
    
    Doing that with is middle finger....
    
    
    Nope..... he's not at Waynet's place.... he's...
    
    
    
    
    
    Awwwww Yuk!!! 
    
    
    
    
    OMG..... OMG....  How Gross!!!
    
    
    How do I get my nose off the keyboard????
    
    
    
    OMG this dude is watching ME!!!   
    
    And he's....
    
    OMG.... he's got a really small......
    
    
    you know....
    
    
    
    a small.....
    
    
    
    
    
    
    camera attached to my computer... 
    
    but I'm pretending to be offline.... Phew, that was def not Waynet! 

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35. 87

    Zelkiiroposted 10 years ago

    Good thing I'm too cheap for a webcam, then, I guess?

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36. 89

    Stacie Lposted 6 years ago

    I keep my webcams covered at all times 

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37. 0

    Mikey Carrollposted 5 years ago

    You can find a webcam cover for around $5 to $10 on Amazon to keep it covered.

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    1. 93

       FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

       Or, y'know, just put a piece of tape over it.

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38. 60

    Vichet Senposted 5 years ago

    My webcam is not covered and potential to hackers now. Fear!!

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39. 61

    Engineer techposted 5 years ago

    Turn off

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40. 66

    Sreelesh Kumarposted 5 years ago

    Oh! thanks for letting us know about such a danger hanging in our bedrooms.

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41. 0

    neha asgharposted 4 years ago

    yes thats really true... i know it since 2 years.. but know im wondering that why i haven't putted piece of tape yet??

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42. 41

    joshua david 96posted 4 years ago

    how they can see me even my laptop is power-off?

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43. 59

    engineeraiposted 4 years ago

    This is not only with the webcams infact with every technical product. As technology grows the privacy concern become more bigger.

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44. 61

    Nxt Borrelposted 3 years ago

    What is the name of the website?

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