Be careful, you could be spied on via your phone’s camera

YOU are not paranoid if you cover your webcam while using your computer or phone because you could be spied on through your camera.

There are valid security concerns regarding the webcams and cameras used against you.

With the desire to stay connected comes the reality that our privacy is at risk.

Malware can be used to gain access to your webcam or camera.

Hackers can use it to spy on you and collect information.

They can do this by hijacking operating systems, outdated software, and even compromising the data of apps you’ve granted access to the camera.

Often when updates are released for operating systems and software, it is to fix security vulnerabilities that have been found.

Google recently made headlines for detecting 26 security flaws and calling on Chrome users to update their browsers.

But there are steps you can take if you have privacy concerns about your camera or webcam.

You can use a physical piece of paper or a sticker to physically block the camera.

You can also choose to turn off your laptop or phone when engaging in a sensitive conversation.

There are also additional security measures you can take to avoid being spied on.

For starters, always make sure your operating systems and software are up to date.

Older versions might have flaws to make them easier to hack.

Make sure you have enabled your automatic updates to avoid being caught with software with security vulnerabilities.

In the age of working from home, some companies have required their employees to install certain security features on their laptops.

This may allow your business to use your webcam in some cases.

Generally, this technology is used for security purposes and not for personal spying or surveillance purposes.

However, it is something to be aware of when using your device.

It is also important to note the applications to which you grant access to the camera on your smartphone.

You can always go to your phone’s settings to see which apps have access to the camera and turn off camera permission for selected apps.