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Igor Ashmanov: “There are agencies that look into people’s bedrooms directly through webcams!”
Some 50 years ago, humanity could not have imagined that today would live in the world of science fiction. The upcoming colonization of Mars, all sorts of smart gadgets that weigh nothing, fit in a pocket of jeans and are equipped with so many bells and whistles that the head goes around.
You no longer need to take a heavy camera on a trip, because almost every modern phone is equipped with an excellent camera, and you can immediately share the picture with friends on social networks. However, such dizzying progress has a downside...
"Site" It will tell you why leading computer security experts have taped cameras on their laptops and phones. Even the TV is not safe anymore!
A study conducted by Kaspersky Lab showed that 52% of Russians fear surveillance through a webcam, and every fourth, which is 26%, glues or obscures the camera of their laptop or PC, and 5% – cameras on smartphones and tablets. Involuntarily thinking, maybe yourself. laptop Is it harder to get a password?
“Your phone is always listening to you, always pinpointing your location and constantly monitoring you with the camera, even when it seems to be inactive. At the same time, the phone knows when the picture is taken in the pocket and the screen is dark.
Pictures that have faces, people, situations, devices are sent to central servers. Who acquires this information, we can only assume, — said the representative. IT security expert Igor Ashmanov.
Of course, unless you're a big shot, hackers don't care. However, many cyberterrorists not only hunt for important data, but also look into other people’s bedrooms for their own entertainment or deliberate blackmail. So, in April 2016, an unknown user of “Dvacha” staged an entire online show on YouTube, hacking into the computers of the unfortunate and broadcasting videos from their webcams.
Most often the victims were young girls trying to take candid pictures, or married couples. In addition, the attacker displayed random videos, for example, violent or pornographic.
But it’s not just important businessmen and people who believe in conspiracy theories that seal the cameras in their laptops. Former FBI Director James Comey recently admitted this. "I taped the camera on my laptop because I saw that it was locked in someone who was smarter than me," he said.
“Covering a webcam lens is not the most effective method of protection, but it makes sense. This measure allows you to avoid surveillance for a while, but does not prevent listening through the built-in microphone, as well as intercepting the image in those moments when the camera opens for communication, Kaspersky Lab says.
If you really think that you are being watched, you should first disconnect from the Internet. If you use a network cable, just pull it out of your computer. If you have Wi-Fi, you need to turn off the router, and the smartphone simply turn off. But experts say that even a switched off phone is not always the case.
“Even if you think the phone is off, it is far from certain that it is. Guarantee of shutdown - removal of the battery of the device. Almost all modern phones have a non-removable battery. Turning off is also not easy: the device can play you the animation of the shutdown and turn off the screen, but remain active, explains Ashmanov.
There is another option: telephone surveillance It turns into a real paranoia for you - buy a "grandmother phone" and give up using a smartphone. But is this possible in the modern world?
It is necessary to think about your safety, but everything should be within reasonable limits. Surveillance is talked about from the TV screen, in movies and TV series. The main thing is not to lose your head, otherwise the next step will be a psychiatric hospital.
“When a password is stolen, it is half the trouble. Having your brain stolen is much worse. There are now thousands of manipulators on the Internet, and they are becoming more sophisticated, says Igor Ashmanov. And we totally agree with him! Get a reliable antivirus, install only proven programs and stop draining all your personal life into social networks. Your safety is in your hands.
Do you tape the camera on your laptop and phone, or do you think it's crazy? Be sure to share with us in the comments.
You no longer need to take a heavy camera on a trip, because almost every modern phone is equipped with an excellent camera, and you can immediately share the picture with friends on social networks. However, such dizzying progress has a downside...
"Site" It will tell you why leading computer security experts have taped cameras on their laptops and phones. Even the TV is not safe anymore!
A study conducted by Kaspersky Lab showed that 52% of Russians fear surveillance through a webcam, and every fourth, which is 26%, glues or obscures the camera of their laptop or PC, and 5% – cameras on smartphones and tablets. Involuntarily thinking, maybe yourself. laptop Is it harder to get a password?
“Your phone is always listening to you, always pinpointing your location and constantly monitoring you with the camera, even when it seems to be inactive. At the same time, the phone knows when the picture is taken in the pocket and the screen is dark.
Pictures that have faces, people, situations, devices are sent to central servers. Who acquires this information, we can only assume, — said the representative. IT security expert Igor Ashmanov.
Of course, unless you're a big shot, hackers don't care. However, many cyberterrorists not only hunt for important data, but also look into other people’s bedrooms for their own entertainment or deliberate blackmail. So, in April 2016, an unknown user of “Dvacha” staged an entire online show on YouTube, hacking into the computers of the unfortunate and broadcasting videos from their webcams.
Most often the victims were young girls trying to take candid pictures, or married couples. In addition, the attacker displayed random videos, for example, violent or pornographic.
But it’s not just important businessmen and people who believe in conspiracy theories that seal the cameras in their laptops. Former FBI Director James Comey recently admitted this. "I taped the camera on my laptop because I saw that it was locked in someone who was smarter than me," he said.
“Covering a webcam lens is not the most effective method of protection, but it makes sense. This measure allows you to avoid surveillance for a while, but does not prevent listening through the built-in microphone, as well as intercepting the image in those moments when the camera opens for communication, Kaspersky Lab says.
If you really think that you are being watched, you should first disconnect from the Internet. If you use a network cable, just pull it out of your computer. If you have Wi-Fi, you need to turn off the router, and the smartphone simply turn off. But experts say that even a switched off phone is not always the case.
“Even if you think the phone is off, it is far from certain that it is. Guarantee of shutdown - removal of the battery of the device. Almost all modern phones have a non-removable battery. Turning off is also not easy: the device can play you the animation of the shutdown and turn off the screen, but remain active, explains Ashmanov.
There is another option: telephone surveillance It turns into a real paranoia for you - buy a "grandmother phone" and give up using a smartphone. But is this possible in the modern world?
It is necessary to think about your safety, but everything should be within reasonable limits. Surveillance is talked about from the TV screen, in movies and TV series. The main thing is not to lose your head, otherwise the next step will be a psychiatric hospital.
“When a password is stolen, it is half the trouble. Having your brain stolen is much worse. There are now thousands of manipulators on the Internet, and they are becoming more sophisticated, says Igor Ashmanov. And we totally agree with him! Get a reliable antivirus, install only proven programs and stop draining all your personal life into social networks. Your safety is in your hands.
Do you tape the camera on your laptop and phone, or do you think it's crazy? Be sure to share with us in the comments.
