Is anyone bothered by web cams built into laptop or computer?
I was just thinking about George Orwell's book 1984 in which the television sets were used to keep tabs on the citizens. It occurred to me that computers are being used as television, communication, work, effectively staying on constantly and having the same function as the television sets in Orwell's novel. I don't think that there is a conspiracy here; but, the pieces are in place.
scary.........................................directv and our car radios too.........
Sort of. I just use 3x layered strip of black electrical tap to cover the "Eye" when not in use.
I'm not worried about big brother. If your cam isn't in use via Skype or another chat tool, then you're safe. However external cams always offer far better quality than those that are built in.
I find them handy especially if your external cam ends up busted.
If I give it too much thought I could probably get myself going on the subject. I think if I was bothered by it, I would cover the lens with a piece of dark tape. I have a relative that doesn't like the idea of the X-box Kinect because of the camera being on whenever the unit is on - and he worries about it even if off - so he won't own one.
I have heard that hackers have been able to turn the built-in webcams in computers on from locations long distances from where the computer is located and watch people. I think it's odd people didn't realize the webcam was on because a light should light up if it's working.
I guess sometimes people who don't understand computers very well don't always realize what it means when that light is on. Young children especially, might now question it or think to tell someone about the light being on.
There was a big blowup about this a few years ago when a school made computers available to their students to take home (like borrowing a library book).
To keep tabs on where the computers were. the webcam was engaged by someone at the school. Some students didn't close the lap tops when not in use and so the camera was able to 'view' things going on in the room without consent of the inhabitants of that room. I never heard how this issue was resolved.
Anyway, I covered the camera eye on my laptop with a piece of blue sticky note right after I got the computer since I have no plans to use it, and the sticky note has stayed in place with no trouble. So if anyone turns my camera on they will see nothing but blue skies . . .
Whenever my web cam does not have that light indication on, I believe that I am surfing the web incognito - and the idea of people spying and eavesdropping me sounds so scary. I will steer away from potentially malicious websites and update my security suite regularly. If I am indeed being spied, I think they won't see anything on their screen other than a stolid-looking young man in a plain, austere room looking frantically for a job.
Not really. The light is supposed to come on if the camera is in use. I constantly watch it because I'm aware it could be hacked. Especially since my ex is an electronic fanatic.
I would prefer the in built web cam to be switched off. And yes I am often at least aware that the tv could be being used to watch me and listen to me..
by Erin Buttermore 12 years ago
Does anyone else find that your computer can't keep up with your typing?I am not sure if it is my keyboard or my computer, but if I start typing fast I have to go back and fix mistakes because it doesn't register me hitting the keys. I have a Toshiba laptop. Does anyone have any suggestions?
by ngureco 13 years ago
What’s The Difference between a Laptop and Notebook Computer?
by Anna Sherret 10 years ago
Should I buy a mac rather than a pc laptop, even though a mac is more expensive?I need a new computer. My boyfriend keeps telling me that Apple computers are far more reliable, faster and better than any PC, but they are a couple of hundred pounds more expensive. Is it worth it?
by Cindi 12 years ago
Does anyone know a website I can buy a new screen for my son's laptop?The laptop still works......screen has spider crack at top. The laptop is just a year old and paid almost $1000 for it. I'm hoping someone can give my some helpful information. I would really hate to by a new laptop......really...
by DreamerMeg 6 years ago
Best children's computer for 6 - 9 year old?I am thinking of buying a child's laptop computer for Christmas for a 6 - 9 year old. I have looked at a number on Amazon and the best so far seems to be the Leap Pad version 2, it get a good rating. A number of children's computers get slated for...
by Carolee Samuda 11 years ago
I am planning on getting a new computer. I didn't want a laptop because I have a netbook already. I need something more powerful than I have now and I have three choices at the store where I plan to shop.1) A regular PC: 2GB memory; 500GB hard-drive; 18.5 LED monitor; DVD+/-RW; Intel Dual Core...
Copyright © 2024 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. HubPages® is a registered trademark of The Arena Platform, Inc. Other product and company names shown may be trademarks of their respective owners. The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers to this website may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.
Copyright © 2024 Maven Media Brands, LLC and respective owners.
As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.
For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy
Show DetailsNecessary | |
---|---|
HubPages Device ID | This is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons. |
Login | This is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service. |
Google Recaptcha | This is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy) |
Akismet | This is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy) |
HubPages Google Analytics | This is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy) |
HubPages Traffic Pixel | This is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized. |
Amazon Web Services | This is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy) |
Cloudflare | This is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy) |
Google Hosted Libraries | Javascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy) |
Features | |
---|---|
Google Custom Search | This is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy) |
Google Maps | Some articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy) |
Google Charts | This is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy) |
Google AdSense Host API | This service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy) |
Google YouTube | Some articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy) |
Vimeo | Some articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy) |
Paypal | This is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy) |
Facebook Login | You can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy) |
Maven | This supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy) |
Marketing | |
---|---|
Google AdSense | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Google DoubleClick | Google provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Index Exchange | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Sovrn | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Facebook Ads | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Amazon Unified Ad Marketplace | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
AppNexus | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Openx | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Rubicon Project | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
TripleLift | This is an ad network. (Privacy Policy) |
Say Media | We partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy) |
Remarketing Pixels | We may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites. |
Conversion Tracking Pixels | We may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service. |
Statistics | |
---|---|
Author Google Analytics | This is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy) |
Comscore | ComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy) |
Amazon Tracking Pixel | Some articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy) |
Clicksco | This is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy) |