Somebody may be spying on you through your webcam. Hackers have a lot of reason to hack your webcam; however, it often comes down to money. Hackers are always looking for ways to snoop your activity or steal your information. And people may make it all too easy by using weak security practices and failing to take the proper precautions to secure their devices. Hackers will exploit any vulnerability to gain access to data within a device.
Hacked cameras can be installed with malware such as Remote Administration Tool (RAT). This malware allows a hacker to take control of your computer. Also, some websites and applications will ask for various permissions that can include accessing your webcam. If you want to prevent your webcam from being hacked, consider the following tips:
Never Click on Links or Open Attachments from Uknown Sources
Phishing is still the most effective way for hackers to trick you into installing malware. You may get phishing emails from a reputable source to get you to click on a malicious link or download an attachment. Also, attackers use social media to trick you into clicking on shortened links that mask their true intention. To prevent hackers from taking control of your webcam, never click on these links.
Run Regular Virus Scans
To keep your device secure, scan it for malware regularly. This will help you detect threats and prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to your webcam. You can take advantage of the dedicated webcam protection you can get from most up-to-date Antivirus solutions.
Use a Firewall
A firewall is a piece of software that will offer an additional layer of defense by monitoring incoming and outgoing traffic. It prevents unauthorized access to your device and filters out traffic that must be blocked. The majority of firewall must be manually turned on, so ensure it’s enabled.
Update Your Firmware
Firmware controls your webcam. It can contain vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Thus, you should keep it updated. You should get regular updates from the firmware’s manufacturer. Otherwise, you can visit their website to find and download the latest updates.
Secure Your Wi-Fi
Your wires router can also gain hackers access to your webcam. That is why you must secure it by changing the default username and password to something more secure. Ensure the password is composed of 10-20 characters and a combination of upper- and lower-case letters, symbols or numbers.
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