Monday, January 13, 2014

Is Someone Watching You Through Your Laptop or Smartphone Camera?

A recent interview with an ex-FBI official revealed something that many of us have probably never thought about.  That camera at the top of your laptop screen may be in use without your knowledge and without the indicator light coming on.  As reported by Oliver Darcy, an editor from The Blaze news site, a high level ex-FBI official said:

“The FBI has been able to covertly activate a computer’s camera — without triggering the light that lets users know it is recording — for several years, and has used that technique mainly in terrorism cases or the most serious criminal investigations.”

While I appreciate the FBI's work in this area with respect to serious crimes, if the FBI can do it, so can hackers, like Guccifer, who the FBI has been unable to track down despite him being a high profile target with a fairly public image.  I did a write up on him last week which can be viewed here.

This activity isn't just limited to computers.  Recently Apple denied that they were involved in a backdoor program that gives the NSA the ability to remotely activate any iphone user's camera and microphone without the user knowing.  The program, called DROPOUT JEEP, was released as part of the documents that Edward Snowden has been releasing about the extent of US government surveillance of its citizens.  Again, if the government can access your phone, so can hackers.  It is even possible for anyone with access to use your phone and send out messages that appear to be coming from you.  Curiously, the document detailing the program was dated 2008, suggesting they have had this ability for a significant period of time.

It does no good to simply shut down your phone because your phone can be powered on remotely.  Of course you can power down your phone and put it in the refrigerator as Edward Snowden made reporters do when he met them in Hong Kong, though results may vary.

Privacy Action Plan (PAP) - How to Protect Your Computer Camera and Microphone From Remote Activation
PRS - Privacy Level 4

Place a post it note or small piece of electrical tape over your laptop camera and microphone.  Only take it off if you plan on using your camera.  For added privacy, go to control panel > hardware and sound > device manager, and click disable your microphone and camera or remove the device drivers completely.  Should you need to use them in the future, you can reenable them by clicking 'enable'.

Privacy Action Plan (PAP) - How to Protect Your Phone Camera and Microphone from Remote Activation
PRS - Privacy Level 2

Whether you have an iPhone, Android or a Windows Phone, perform a factory reset.  It is an easy process and there is a useful guide here for iPhone users.  If you own an iPhone, you can also bring it to any Apple store and they can do this for you free of charge.  Do this periodically to protect against any new unknown worms, viruses or other infections.  I would also place a piece of electrical tape over the camera so that if it is activated remotely no one can see anything.  Your microphone will still be accessible since you will need your microphone to use your telephone, so keep your phone tucked away in your purse, briefcase or backpack.
____________________________________________________

"I always feel like somebody's watching me and I have no privacy." ~ Michael Jackson

No comments:

Post a Comment