According to a survey by Kaspersky Lab and B2B International, 21% of users cover webcams because they fear online spies may be watching them through their computer. In some countries, this percentage is even higher. For example, 40% of respondents in China use this tactic to feel more secure. These concerns are not unfounded, as webcams can be effective tools for cybercriminals.
The survey found that almost a quarter of users (24%) in Europe are completely unaware of the risk of webcam surveillance. Only 42% of respondents are fully aware of this threat and admit that the possibility of being monitored makes them feel uncomfortable. It is important to remember that hackers do not only target public figures – anyone could be of interest.
Cybercriminals can hack a webcam for a number of reasons. First, they can use it to steal company secrets or gain access to financial services. Sometimes, careless users make the cybercriminals’ job even easier. For example, one in ten respondents admitted to writing down their login details and leaving them right next to their computer. A modern webcam can easily capture such information.
Second, scammers can take compromising photos of an unsuspecting victim and use them either for blackmail or simply for fun – and of course to discredit the victim. For example, in May 2014, Europol uncovered a network of developers, distributors and users of malware that had been developed to perform – among other things – spying functions via webcam. The investigation was sparked by the arrest of a Dutch hacker who had infected the computers of 2,000 women, hoping to capture them in intimate moments.
With this data, it is not surprising that 1 in 5 users choose to cover their webcam. However, the problem is not limited to computers. According to the survey, a significant percentage of users (5%) in Europe also cover the cameras of mobile devices. However, the survey does not specify whether respondents cover both cameras or only the one located on the front of the device.
However, covering the camera is not the most effective method of protection. It will temporarily block visual surveillance, but it cannot neutralize a webcam's built-in microphone, nor prevent photos from being intercepted when users open them themselves. There are many security solutions that provide protection against malware that can "spy" through webcams. However, most of them do not work if the program is not malicious by definition or if the hacker is using legitimate software for this purpose.
To ensure that users always know which applications and processes have access to the webcam and can therefore protect their privacy, Kaspersky Lab has developed the special Webcam Protection feature[1], which is available in the Kaspersky Internet Security – Multi-Device. This solution constantly monitors access to built-in or connected webcams and notifies users of any access attempts. In addition, users can choose whether to allow video transmission or not. Finally, the solution also offers the ability to block access to the webcam by default.
[1]Currently only available for Windows
