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Like phones, most laptop webcams have no "on" light. You have to trust that the software you have on your device isn't using the microphone and camera without

Like phones, most laptop webcams have no "on" light. You have to trust that the software you have on your device isn't using the microphone and camera without your permission.

nyolfen 11y ago
you and i have very different experience with webcams. i have yet to see a webcam without an indicator led in my life.
- billhendricksjr 11y ago
  I agree, I can't recall seeing a laptop cam without an indicator led.
- woodman 11y ago
  I'm pretty sure his meaning was that an "indicator led" is not the same thing as an "on" light. A usb webcam is on as long as the host is providing power, the led is on the honor system - completely implementation dependent. My $2 dynex lights up when accessed in Windows, but I can easily pull images from it in linux without the led coming on - it is driver controlled. It wouldn't be hard to modify the windows driver, or write your own.
- JohnTHaller 11y ago
  My just retired Acer laptop has no such light. My HP Windows tablet I use with a bluetooth keyboard doesn't either. I checked and my new(ish) XPS 13 does have a tiny light when you use it as does my ASUS 2-in-1. So I'm at 50-50 in my collection. I asked my girlfriend and she doesn't recall there being a light on her Toshiba laptop and she does Skype with it semi-regularly.
- pbhjpbhj 11y ago
  I recall a blackhat video on YouTube where they could access webcams and disable the LED, having a LED isn't a certain indication unless you know that it's not software activated. I have a Logitech and was able to control the LED using information given at the time ... can't recall the details now sorry. A quick search on security.stackexchange reveals similar info.
- userbinator 11y ago
  You have not seen these? http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-961237-0403-QuickCam-Messenger-WebCam/dp/B00006OLCT http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-961237-0403-QuickCam-Messenge... 10+ years ago they basically defined what a webcam is (search "webcam icon" and observe the symbology --- appropriately eyeball-shaped), and they don't have any indicators.
billhendricksjr 11y ago
Have there been any documented cases of an iPhone's camera or mic getting hijacked?

Like phones, most laptop webcams have no "on" light. You have to trust that the software you have on your device isn't using the microphone and camera without your permission.

nyolfen 11y ago

you and i have very different experience with webcams. i have yet to see a webcam without an indicator led in my life.

billhendricksjr 11y ago
I agree, I can't recall seeing a laptop cam without an indicator led.
woodman 11y ago
I'm pretty sure his meaning was that an "indicator led" is not the same thing as an "on" light. A usb webcam is on as long as the host is providing power, the led is on the honor system - completely implementation dependent. My $2 dynex lights up when accessed in Windows, but I can easily pull images from it in linux without the led coming on - it is driver controlled. It wouldn't be hard to modify the windows driver, or write your own.
JohnTHaller 11y ago
My just retired Acer laptop has no such light. My HP Windows tablet I use with a bluetooth keyboard doesn't either. I checked and my new(ish) XPS 13 does have a tiny light when you use it as does my ASUS 2-in-1. So I'm at 50-50 in my collection. I asked my girlfriend and she doesn't recall there being a light on her Toshiba laptop and she does Skype with it semi-regularly.
pbhjpbhj 11y ago
I recall a blackhat video on YouTube where they could access webcams and disable the LED, having a LED isn't a certain indication unless you know that it's not software activated. I have a Logitech and was able to control the LED using information given at the time ... can't recall the details now sorry. A quick search on security.stackexchange reveals similar info.
userbinator 11y ago
You have not seen these? http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-961237-0403-QuickCam-Messenger-WebCam/dp/B00006OLCT http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-961237-0403-QuickCam-Messenge... 10+ years ago they basically defined what a webcam is (search "webcam icon" and observe the symbology --- appropriately eyeball-shaped), and they don't have any indicators.

billhendricksjr 11y ago

Have there been any documented cases of an iPhone's camera or mic getting hijacked?