Camera Shy

I get "facepalmy" when I see tape or a sticky note covering one's webcam. Even former FBI director James Comey and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg have subscribed to this silly "act of caution." Why would anybody want a fish-eyed distortion of your mug? This paranoia owes to that widely publicized isolated incident which, though potent with drama, detracts from the real risk posed by a hacker. If your device has been compromised, you should be much more concerned that they're logging keystrokes, stealing passwords and credit card information--all much easier for a hacker to do and easier to profit from than hijacking your webcam. Put it this way: supposing someone were to break into your house--is your primary concern that they'll see you in your bunny slippers? The horror! The burglar will think this is hilarious, even accommodating, as they head unperturbed for your safe, humming as they go! Realistically, sticky-noting your webcam only betrays your ignorance about what is typically at stake during a hack. You'll have defended your pawn, but they'll have captured your queen.

Comments

  1. Taylor ZoneOctober 1, 2020 at 6:08 PM

    Hahaha this post is awesome! I laughed out loud at the bunny slippers part.

    I know it may be silly to worry about having one's web-camera hacked, but it is a valid concern. Having nude pictures of oneself publicly posted is humiliating. Moreover, deleting all copies of such online data is virtually impossible; people may have already downloaded the image(s) onto their personal computers. Although having someone steal your keystrokes, passwords, and money is horrendous, finding out that nude pictures of you have been taken is equally horrifying. All types of privacy invasion contribute to suicidality and/or mental issues.

    I do think covering the web-camera with a sticky note is excessive. However, to be safe, people should avoid being nude in front of their phone cameras. If the phone is in the bathroom, just place the phone front-side down :)

    Great post! I enjoyed reading it.

    ReplyDelete

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