Team Clark is adamant that we will never write content influenced by or paid for by an advertiser. To support our work, we do make money from some links to companies and deals on our site. Learn more about our guarantee here.
What do Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and former FBI director James Comey have in common? They both cover up their laptop webcams for security reasons.
It’s not something most people think about, but hackers can activate your computer’s webcam to spy on you.
RELATED: Why you should change all of your security question answers right now
Several years ago, Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf said she was blackmailed by a former high school classmate who installed malware on her laptop, CNN reported.
The hacker used Wolf’s own camera to capture nude videos and pictures, which he then emailed to her in an extortion attempt.
Wolf always kept her laptop open in her bedroom while she listened to music or chatted with friends online, making it possible for the convicted creep to continue watching her for an entire year.
The beauty queen says she now covers her laptop’s camera with a sticker — and she’s not alone.
When Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg shared this photo in June 2016, an observant Twitter user noticed that the computer in the background had tape covering the camera and microphone jack.
Computer experts told the New York Times that the tape trick is a common security measure.
Since hacking a computer’s webcam is relatively easy, it should come as no surprise that former FBI director James Comey puts a piece of tape over the camera.
He said it’s a common sense step that people should take to protect themselves, The Hill reported.
Besides using a sticker or tape to cover up the camera, be careful about downloading suspicious attachments and clicking on email links that could infect your PC with malware.
RELATED: This security feature could prevent hackers from emptying your bank account
[anvplayer video=”4194259″]
This post was last modified on October 12, 2017 7:00 am
Deciding to save and invest are great habits. But once you check that box, your…
If you're considering subscribing to Fubo, you need to be comfortable missing out on some…
Are you looking for a way to earn 2% back on every purchase you make…
You're not alone if you're running a balance on your credit cards. Collectively, Americans are…
A big part of saving money comes down to knowing how to comparison shop. But…
If you work for a big company as a full-time employee, chances are you have…