Your front camera can get your phone hacked. Here's how you can remain safe

It's scary, but it does happen. Photo Courtesy: Lifewire

Thanks to video calling, you can now see the person you are talking to. Ah! A blessing to those who live away from their family. And to those, who are in a long-distance relationship. The distance between you and your beloved shrinks once you get on Skype. That little webcam on your laptop makes it possible for you to see him/her, despite being miles away.

You most definitely can't deny how wonderfully technology has touched your life. But, it's not all hunky dory either. With great power, comes great threat too. Yes, the camera on your laptop and mobile phone can turn into an enemy and ruin your life.

Have no idea what we are talking about? Well, a lot of women around the world are sticking a tape on their webcams and mobile cameras. And there's a reason behind it…

Why Are Laptop and Mobile Phone Cameras So Dangerous

The camera installed in your laptop and mobile phone has one purpose. It makes it possible for other people to see you--your family, your friends, your lover, and total strangers. Yup, strangers too. How is that even possible, you ask? Well, computer hackers around the world use webcam malware to spy on random girls. It's true. In 2011, USA-based Luis Mijangos was accused of spying on more than 100 women and girls, nearly half of whom were under 18. He also used the microphones to record audio.

"Many smartphone apps can turn on the camera and microphone when they want to--you've already given them permission to do so. You don't normally grant such permission to a desktop application, but it's far easier to hack a Windows PC than a smartphone," states a report published in laptopmag.com. So, when someone sends you an (.exe file) and you download it--well, don't. That's one of the most common ways. RAT (Remote Administration Tool) as it is commonly known, allows a person to access your camera. You may probably be familiar with the term 'Trojan horse.' Well, that's a virus and a part of RAT.

It's simple. Anyone can hack into your camera and turn it on. Through it, the person will be able to spy and record you, without you even knowing about it. All that is needed are a few apps and a malware. With the right expertise, it's not only possible but easy too.

Anyone can hack into your camera and turn it on. Photo Courtesy: Twitter

And that leads us to…

Women Are Sticking Tapes on Their Mobile and Laptop Cameras

 "Researchers in 2013 showed how they could activate a Macbook's camera without triggering the green 'this-thing-is-on' light. One couple claimed a hacker posted a video of them having sex after hacking their smart TV," states a report published in The Guardian. So, after incidents of blackmail hitting the headlines, women around the world are covering their cameras with a tape. This is a preventive measure.

Now, a piece of tape will not be able to stop a hacker from hacking your camera. But, it will surely help in blocking the view. So, whatever is visible to the camera will be safe from the eyes of the hacker thanks to the shield provided by the duct tape. Also, this will help in muffling the audio and prevent clear recording.  And before you disregard this advice, you must know Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg does it too.

Mark Zuckerberg Agrees With The Tape Method

In 2016, he posted a picture of himself on Twitter. He was sitting at a work station, holding a cut-out of Instagram frame. You could see the background, along with his laptop sitting on the desk. Interestingly, his webcam was covered with a brown duct tape and so was his mic jack. If Zuckerberg does it, well, so can you. After all, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

3 things about this photo of Zuck:

Camera covered with tapeMic jack covered with tapeEmail client is Thunderbird pic.twitter.com/vdQlF7RjQt

- Chris Olson (@topherolson) June 21, 2016