Hackers and cameras and trojan viruses... you need to know this

[iggysbabysitter]

I was cleaning the house, wearing nothing or next to nothing, as I happened to be home alone, and noticed Hubby's computer was displaying ME! No one had been around to turn on the camera! Creeped out, I turned it off and went back to cleaning the living room. I looked back and it was on again! I turned it off and angled the camera up at the ceiling... 10 min later I saw the monitor with a really great view of my ceiling fan.

Turns out my hubby's computer had been hacked by a Trojan virus called a RAT (remote activated something or other... it's 4:39 in the morning and I can't remember). I just read up about people buying access to your hacked PC/laptop cameras to watch/upload vid/pics.

Please remember to use an anti virus scan on a fairly regular basis, and an anti malware as well. Until hubby deals with his comp the camera is pointed at the ceiling... mine turned itself on a few times and turns out there were a lot of Trojan viruses on it... I still think a cute window sticker is going on the camera for when it's not in use.

[Natalka]

Ew... so very scary!

[GracieAnne]

I've heard of this before, I always always keep my cam unplugged if I'm not using it, which is rarely. If you have a built in cam you can always just put a piece of masking tape over it.

Try

www.malwarebytes.org

I swear by it, if you download and run it, post how many it finds.

If you don't have an antivirus try AVG free antivirus, it's always worked well for me.

[iggysbabysitter]

I use avast anti virus and malware bytes... the first time I did a scan I had 8 viruses. :O

[idonovan]

I am glad I use a mac. That suxs!

[lecale]

.

[Natalka]

Some general info on RATs -

http://us.norton.com/yoursecurityres...webcam_hacking
http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/c...328-2gvwv.html

[Natalka]

I am glad I use a mac. That suxs!

But macs aren't immune, either

http://ask.metafilter.com/216574/Can...my-Macs-webcam
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2407751,00.asp
http://www.zdnet.com/new-mac-trojan-...ed-7000001519/

[vesper]

Over a year ago I attended a seminar in San Jose about the future of 'smart homes' and 'smart grids' that government and industry is pushing, especially in California. If people accept that concept, there will be a day your entire house can be silently hacked.

Even cars will be able to be hacked.

It's all in the name of safety though.

[wolfwoman]

I always keep the cameras on my computer, iPad and iPhone covered with black tape.

[saddlebag]

So will this be "iggy"????.....lol just teasing.......you might be able to start your own cleaning company!!!!ya never know

[super807]

Thanks for the reminder, OP, and the good links others have posted. Your phone can be hacked too, and the camera on it activated remotely. If someone does that to my phone, for the most part, they will only see black fabric from the inside of my work bag, where it lives most of the time.

But the reality of hacking and of surveillance is pretty invasive and scary. And will only get worse.

[Momof3girlies]

Holy Crap!! I didn't know this. covering up my lens on my laptop with tape!! freaked me out!! LOL

[Minou]

When I bought my laptop 4 years ago, I declined the Dell model that came with a webcam for just this reason.

[--Becks--]

Yes, I have something covering the camera. But, how do I cover the microphone?! Also, if there's an indicator light for the camera being on, it's probable that code can be written to turn it off so that u won't know the cam is on. Imagine how many teens have their laptop open in their bedrooms. Imagine the market for this kind of video. Anyways, it helps to have updated virus protection. But, remember that your virus protection is only good for known viruses. There are many "zero day" viruses created daily. It helps to be extra cautious these days.

On a different note, everyone should make sure that the location services for their phone's camera is turned off. Your phone's photos have exif info that can include your location. If you are posting photos online, strangers can find out where you live, where u hang out, etc. People who posted sale ads (eg. jewelry) online have been robbed because the thieves found out where they lived thru the exif info in their digital photos.