Here are two simple things you can do to shore up your laptop to prevent access to the most private parts of your life. These are simple and basic tips — and while they may seem a little paranoid, with things they way there are, you can never be too careful.
Tape your Webcam when you’re not using it.
If you have a laptop with a built-in Webcam and you leave the lid open most of the time, there is a little non-technical tip you should know. Cut a strip from a sticky note just big enough to cover the Webcam lens, and cover it up when the Webcam is not in use. This may seem crude and unnecessary but if someone should gain remote access to your computer surreptitiously they can wake your computer, turn on your Webcam and see anything in view of the cam.
Turn off your microphone when you’re not using it.
It’s also a good idea to turn off your computer’s microphone when not in use. Again, if someone were to gain access to your computer they could hear anything being said in range of the microphone.
EB leaves her microphone on so anyone who wants to can hear her tongue lashing me. She has her Webcam taped tough; she doesn’t want the world to see how much better looking I am.
You mentioned this some time ago. I received a Kindle Fire HD last Christmas and after being on the fortunate receiving end of your knowledge I did exactly what you are suggesting today. I put a sticky note over the Webcam lens. Good grief what a creepy feeling to think someone is watching you. It always gives me great pleasure to say hello and once again thank you both for new information as well as, in this case, a reminder which others may have overlooked or for those new to your daily and weekly newsletters.
Thank you for your care for your followers TC. I taped over my webcam a few months ago when I saw a program where a winner of a teen beauty contest went public to warn others about that.
Some perv had been watching her everywhere in her parents home that she took her laptop like in her room etc. After he watched her for some time he learned enough about her and began to send her messages about what he was seeing in her bedroom and more. . She was mature and brave enough to immediately tell her parents and they went to report it to the law and were able to track him down and he was arrested.
CREEPY and to think that can happen to anyone is unsettlingy. She was brave enough to go on a TV program with her Mom to warn others of what had happened to her.
I was not aware of the microphone danger as well though so hope I get that shut off right. Thank you for that tip as well!
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One piece of pretty purple post it now on. One Microphone setting disabled. Thanks! Now I need to do the same to the husband’s laptop although he only uses his for play. Since we’re not networked I don’t need to worry about someone getting into mine (the one with the financial stuff) from his.