Page 6 | To think covering your work laptop camera is just paranoia?

TealDreamer · 2025-03-14T16:49:39+00:00

My friend always puts sellotape over her work laptop camera when she’s not using it or in meetings. I used to think this was a bit much but I’ve just discovered my own work laptop actually has a built-in shutter for the camera - so clearly, even manufacturers acknowledge there might be a reason to cover it. She insists it’s because “you never know who’s watching,” and while I don’t fully buy into the idea that someone is spying on us all the time, I do wonder if there’s any real risk. AIBU to think this is just a conspiracy theory or is it actually sensible to cover your webcam when not in use? Do you do it?

ChungkingExpress · 14/03/2025 18:42

AquaPeer · 14/03/2025 18:41

Are there actually recorded cases of this happening?

it would be known, like Nigerian scammers etc. I’m just not on board with this. The idea that hackers would hack into a camera of a random laptop and watch for no particular purpose is just unrealistic

Tons of them! And even more worryingly, cases of people hacking baby monitors too. It’s been a thing for decades.

i believe a Miss Teen USA was hacked and filmed naked, as one prominent example.

B1indEye · 14/03/2025 18:42

Why has no one pointed out that Sellotape is transparent, what good will that do your friend?

AquaPeer · 14/03/2025 18:41

Are there actually recorded cases of this happening?

it would be known, like Nigerian scammers etc. I’m just not on board with this. The idea that hackers would hack into a camera of a random laptop and watch for no particular purpose is just unrealistic

jewelcase · 14/03/2025 18:41

My laptop is on a desk in my bedroom. I always keep the sliding shutter closed (apart from for Teams calls) to avoid even the tiniest theoretical possibility of anyone seeing me doing private things.

mamajong · 14/03/2025 18:36

I cover mine mainly in case I accidentally turn it on during an off camera call!

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 14/03/2025 18:35

The only time my slidey cover was closed, I phoned IT because I thought my camera didn’t work. It didn’t even occur to me that this was a thing.

PoppyBaxter · 14/03/2025 18:33

I have the mic and speaker muted and the camera shield closed at all times unless I'm on a call.

I once heard a workmate on a call to her mum, with her mic on. And at a previous employer (with thousands of staff) people accidentally broadcast themselves going for a wee and masturbating (separate incidents)!

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 14/03/2025 18:32

Kissedbyfire1 · 14/03/2025 17:43

Mark Zuckerberg covers his with a bit of tape. Make of that what you will.

I was just about to say the same thing...

To think covering your work laptop camera is just paranoia?

TheFormidableMrsC · 14/03/2025 18:32

I’ve got a very good friend who is a cyber security expert. He said cameras are the easiest things to hack. He covers his and told me to cover mine.

Incaseofouting · 14/03/2025 18:32

There is software out there can be used to recognise stress through computer cameras. People are more likely to make bad decision when stressed I don’t think this is widely used in the UK yet but I’ve heard it mentioned in my industry.

randomchap · 14/03/2025 18:30

Rummly · 14/03/2025 17:45

There’s usually a light that shows when the camera’s operating, isn’t there? There is on mine.

It's easy enough to turn the light off when the camera is on. It's not hard wired in.

ChungkingExpress · 14/03/2025 18:28

Look up camfecting if you want to know more because lord knows I’m not good at explaining this stuff!

Ponderingwindow · 14/03/2025 18:28

I bought a little shutter for mine. Super cheap online.

im not worried about work spying. I’m more worried I am going to do something stupid when I think I’m not on camera.

It’s nice to be able to do a quick visual check before I accidentally blow my nose and check if it’s turned dark green on camera.

ChungkingExpress · 14/03/2025 18:26

AquaPeer · 14/03/2025 18:21

Why? How would they record it? When you say activate it what do you mean? It’s only activated by a programme.

it’s like saying you’re at risk of your digital camera being hacked and someone watching it sitting on a shelf 😕

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They look around at security systems you may have, documents, all kinds of things that they can use

They can turn your camera on remotely without you knowing. You don’t need to have Teams or anything for that, but even if you do have to have a programme, they can also covertly install software on laptops.

AquaPeer · 14/03/2025 18:21

ChungkingExpress · 14/03/2025 18:19

Hackers can key into it and activate it remotely.

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Why? How would they record it? When you say activate it what do you mean? It’s only activated by a programme.

it’s like saying you’re at risk of your digital camera being hacked and someone watching it sitting on a shelf 😕

ChungkingExpress · 14/03/2025 18:19

AquaPeer · 14/03/2025 18:17

The camera is built into the laptop, I’m not sure what you mean by people watching you. The hardware doesn’t just randomly start recording you it would have to be activated by a programme (like teams?) and how wouldn’t you notice that?

Hackers can key into it and activate it remotely.

ChungkingExpress · 14/03/2025 18:18

latetothefisting · 14/03/2025 18:13

this is exactly what I think.
so what if my camera did get hacked? I don't see how my face looking alternatively bored/concentrating is fodder for russian spybots or whatever.
It's not like I type holding my passport and bank details in front of my face.

I can understand people who work in the living room with kids wandering around might want to take precautions, and if you were Mark Zuckerberg having confidential meetings and living in a mansion fair enough, you might have legitimate concerns about being hacked, but Joe Bloggs in their spare room is just being paranoid, imho.

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It depends on the vantage point they have, I guess. They may be able to see you typing passwords and pins. There may be documents in the room they can glimpse.

AquaPeer · 14/03/2025 18:17

The camera is built into the laptop, I’m not sure what you mean by people watching you. The hardware doesn’t just randomly start recording you it would have to be activated by a programme (like teams?) and how wouldn’t you notice that?

ChungkingExpress · 14/03/2025 18:17

People can and do hack laptop cameras, baby monitors, security cameras, etc. I’ve never had mine covered, but I don’t think it’s paranoia or a conspiracy theory mindset to do so! In fact, I think I might tape mine over!

GrandHighPoohbah · 14/03/2025 18:15

It's not something I have ever given any thought to, nor am I worried about it. I work in a plain box room office, am always dressed when using my work laptop, and I shut it down fully every evening.

TheReturnOfFeathersMcGraw · 14/03/2025 18:13

I have a small bit of the sticky bit of a post it note over mine. My teenage boys advised me to do it after an online security talk at school

latetothefisting · 14/03/2025 18:13

ItGhoul · 14/03/2025 17:41

I really couldn't give a shit about this. In the vastly unlikely event that my work laptop's webcam was hacked, all anyone would see while I'm working would be me sitting here typing in a box room. And when I'm not using my laptop, it's closed, so they'd see nothing.

this is exactly what I think.
so what if my camera did get hacked? I don't see how my face looking alternatively bored/concentrating is fodder for russian spybots or whatever.
It's not like I type holding my passport and bank details in front of my face.

I can understand people who work in the living room with kids wandering around might want to take precautions, and if you were Mark Zuckerberg having confidential meetings and living in a mansion fair enough, you might have legitimate concerns about being hacked, but Joe Bloggs in their spare room is just being paranoid, imho.

Rummly · 14/03/2025 18:09

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 14/03/2025 17:59

The more paranoid among us (me) would worry that the light was broken, but camera on…

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OK.

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 14/03/2025 17:59

Rummly · 14/03/2025 17:45

There’s usually a light that shows when the camera’s operating, isn’t there? There is on mine.

The more paranoid among us (me) would worry that the light was broken, but camera on…

Picklepower · 14/03/2025 17:46

Never occurred to me, what would someone gain by watching me sat at my desk?