Jay
Astronomer
Posts: 105
Likes: 116
|
Post by Jay on Jan 11, 2022 23:50:10 GMT -5
In today's world of Tech many of our gadgets have webcams or some sort of method of broadcast.
How many of you put tape over your webcam and why?
|
|
scooter
Astronomer
I'm a roadrunner, honey ...beep beep!
Posts: 126
Likes: 137
|
Post by scooter on Jan 12, 2022 0:14:44 GMT -5
Absolutely. Although I'd recommend getting a small piece of paper and taping that down rather than apply adhesive directly to the lens, just to keep it from being gummed up.
It's a simple, risk-free, easily reversible measure just in case your camera becomes compromised. There is no reason not to do it.
|
|
|
Post by spg on Jan 12, 2022 12:17:10 GMT -5
I am with you people. It is unsafe to have it open all the time. And it is not good relying on software methods to deny it.
|
|
|
Post by lainee on Jan 12, 2022 16:31:01 GMT -5
Jay, scooter, spg, Used tape over webcam? Yep, I sure have...because it's scary and none of their business:-) And, scooter, good idea to put paper underneath, then tape it down
|
|
|
Post by spg on Jan 12, 2022 21:33:54 GMT -5
Don't damage it though. This is an era of video calls.
|
|
|
Post by ZandraJoi on Jan 13, 2022 12:33:58 GMT -5
That is the first thing we do is put tape over it. I don't care for Big Brother & it irks me you cannot remove those programs. Similar to Alexa, Cortana. You can turn them off but there's been reports that they turned themselves back on. That is invasion of privacy & I do NOT care for that. Same with Smart appliances. We don't activate them.
|
|
|
Post by spg on Jan 13, 2022 13:57:28 GMT -5
Time to switch to Linux
|
|
|
Post by ZandraJoi on Jan 13, 2022 21:16:33 GMT -5
Time to switch to Linux Never tried Linux. Do they not have a camera?
|
|
scooter
Astronomer
I'm a roadrunner, honey ...beep beep!
Posts: 126
Likes: 137
|
Post by scooter on Jan 14, 2022 21:31:25 GMT -5
Time to switch to Linux Never tried Linux. Do they not have a camera? You can attach pretty much whatever you want with Linux, provided you know the way to address the ports. The point of Linux is that you have more granular control over the OS...if you know what you are doing, you can disable points of attack for potential viruses and other compromising attacks. So it's more secure. But the "if you know what you are doing" is the key, here. Linux is quite complicated for a novice.
|
|
|
Post by spg on Jan 15, 2022 9:49:39 GMT -5
Do you know that you can install both Windows and Linux in the same machine? If you already have Windows, then you can install Linux too, and choose which one to use during startup.
|
|
|
Post by ZandraJoi on Jan 15, 2022 10:21:01 GMT -5
scooter, I never knew that! I am not into tech so if I did do something like this, I'd have to have somebody do it for me. But this is good to know! spg, How would that work installing both? Seems like it would create conflicts within the computer. Have you done it before?
|
|
|
Post by spg on Jan 15, 2022 13:48:46 GMT -5
It's like keeping 2 books together on a shelf. All you need to give is a bit of space. Yes, I have it on a number of machines that I deal with.
If you have a spare USB or DVD, you can add Linux to it and use it without installing anything at all. If you like it, keep using it from the USB/DVD or install it if that is your preference.
|
|
|
Post by stormyfire on Jan 16, 2022 8:55:26 GMT -5
Many webcams now come with built-in privacy shutters. They're helpful so that you don't have to mess around with tape and/or paper. XD
|
|
|
Post by ZandraJoi on Jan 16, 2022 12:46:14 GMT -5
It's like keeping 2 books together on a shelf. All you need to give is a bit of space. Yes, I have it on a number of machines that I deal with. If you have a spare USB or DVD, you can add Linux to it and use it without installing anything at all. If you like it, keep using it from the USB/DVD or install it if that is your preference. Good tip on the USB or DVD! Thank you Many webcams now come with built-in privacy shutters. They're helpful so that you don't have to mess around with tape and/or paper. XD Interesting! Ours didn't unfortunately but glad they are doing that.
|
|
|
Post by Bob on Jan 17, 2022 18:41:21 GMT -5
Yeah. Don’t want anybody seeing me that I don’t know.
|
|
tdbnz
Stargazer
Posts: 22
Likes: 22
|
Post by tdbnz on Jan 19, 2022 1:32:22 GMT -5
I am lucky my camera on my computer has a eye shutter and a led next to it so if it being used I will know
|
|
scooter
Astronomer
I'm a roadrunner, honey ...beep beep!
Posts: 126
Likes: 137
|
Post by scooter on Jan 22, 2022 0:21:39 GMT -5
It's like keeping 2 books together on a shelf. All you need to give is a bit of space. Yes, I have it on a number of machines that I deal with. If you have a spare USB or DVD, you can add Linux to it and use it without installing anything at all. If you like it, keep using it from the USB/DVD or install it if that is your preference. Good tip on the USB or DVD! Thank you Many webcams now come with built-in privacy shutters. They're helpful so that you don't have to mess around with tape and/or paper. XD Interesting! Ours didn't unfortunately but glad they are doing that. Yeah, dual boot. It's somewhat easy to do. I have a few spare systems that I was hoping to do that with...in my copious free time, of course...
And I have a couple of USBs with a *nix OS. I use TAILS for diagnostics. And I'm working on setting up a Raspberry Pi with Raspbian on a SD card. Hoping to turn that into a little mini-server.
And yes, I use a new Logitech C920S, which has the flip-down shield. It's quite handy...saves me from using a business card. :-)
|
|
|
Post by dfarmer2001 on Jan 26, 2022 22:49:29 GMT -5
I used to place tape over my computer cameras. I feel like computers are some of the easiest devices to hack and use to spy on the computer owner. However, I currently don't have my camera taped on my computer because I'm not afraid of anyone spying on me. I normally always shut down and close my computer when I'm done.
|
|
yarik
Stargazer
Posts: 12
Likes: 13
|
Post by yarik on Apr 8, 2022 11:02:26 GMT -5
I'm using a desktop PC that I've built myself and I haven't purchased a webcam for it. I never needed a camera for my PC as my work doesn't require having one. But if I had one, I don't think I would be putting tape over it, maybe just rotate it to the wall behind it.
|
|
nomad
Astronaut
Posts: 443
Likes: 452
|
Post by nomad on May 15, 2022 7:12:18 GMT -5
My computer camera is always switched off. I turn it on only when I am required to do a face verification or while live chatting.
|
|
|
Post by spg on May 15, 2022 8:54:53 GMT -5
I am now a desktop user. Glad that there is no webcam now.
|
|
|
Post by ZandraJoi on May 15, 2022 20:48:39 GMT -5
Jay, scooter, spg, lainee, stormyfire, Bob, tdbnz, dfarmer2001, yarik, nomad, Thank you all for your replies Spg, how do you like your desktop now?
|
|
|
Post by spice on May 16, 2022 10:47:43 GMT -5
In Windows you can simply disable it which is what I have done.
|
|
|
Post by demonskeith on Jun 2, 2022 0:09:03 GMT -5
Back when I had a laptop I took out the camera driver to stop it from turning it on, I also covered the camera as well. Now then I have a desktop I just disconnect the webcam when not in use. I know webcam cover sales are pretty good back when I used to sell PCs and accessories.
|
|
golden
Astronaut
Posts: 451
Likes: 452
|
Post by golden on Jun 22, 2022 8:22:10 GMT -5
Ive had on my laptop, but removed the camera software since it is more annoying in chat websites. In these days we are seeing a lot of security type cameras that allows you to access.
I am not getting what does the tape has to do with camera?
|
|
|
Post by ZandraJoi on Jun 22, 2022 11:16:28 GMT -5
Ive had on my laptop, but removed the camera software since it is more annoying in chat websites. In these days we are seeing a lot of security type cameras that allows you to access. I am not getting what does the tape has to do with camera? It's dark tape, not like Scotch tape which is see-thru. So it covers up the camera so if the camera DOES turn on by itself, it won't see any images.
|
|
|
Post by henrywrites on Jun 30, 2022 5:34:19 GMT -5
Jay, scooter, spg, Used tape over webcam? Yep, I sure have...because it's scary and none of their business:-) And, scooter, good idea to put paper underneath, then tape it down I use a tape to cover it simply because I enjoy my privacy. I only have it on when I am doing a zoom meeting and take it off once I am done.
|
|
|
Post by lainee on Jul 1, 2022 15:26:38 GMT -5
henrywrites, Totally agree...the privacy issue is HUGE.
|
|
|
Post by Galra Keith on Aug 25, 2022 8:10:57 GMT -5
I use a electric tape over the webcam (windows7). I don't like have it built in. I almost bought a plugin webcam years ago
|
|
Eclipse
Astronomer
Posts: 75
Likes: 77
|
Post by Eclipse on Sept 15, 2022 7:50:44 GMT -5
I had to purchase this webcam for this online class I'm taking, it actually comes with a lens cover that I can flip open and closed
|
|