Somebody Be Watching

Happy Rain | 2/6/2013 | Happy Rain

[Happy Rain]

Windows 7 and probably 8 are spy tools of Big Sis...

[Happy Rain]

I usually use my old Windows XP PC for business and pleasure--it's an old HP model yet is damn near invulnerable to online attacks. But for speed I use my Windows 7 laptop PC with added security and back-ups just in case. However, for the longest time I have felt like I was being watched on it...the computer has the standard installed camera on top of the monitor that I have never activated nor ever used...so I taped a piece of paper over the camera lens when the willies got too intense. Immediatly a window appeared asking me if I wished to troubleshoot the camera function... ...cue Twilight Zone theme song.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

[humblegunner]

for the longest time I have felt like I was being watched on it.

Yes.

Would you like to purchase the data files collected?

Nasty little bugger, ain't you?

[Repeat Offender]

Well, since the cat is out of the bag, please stop picking your nose.

[GeronL]

I use Ubuntu Linux. I purposely bought a laptop without a camera

[Happy Rain]

That I'm proud of—it's the scrotum scratching I'm worried about...

...don't want to make the horse bloggers jealous.

[Happy Rain]

But can you imagine even J Edgar Hoover planting Kodak's among the populace that snap pictures of the camera users as well, that end up, once developed by third party retail outlets, in FBI files?

uh, silly question?

[FReepaholic]

Websites can access your webcam and microphone via Flash. You can go HERE to turn that off but I think this clears out when you clear your cookies.

I was astounded to learn that they could do this. I don't have a webcam or microphone but....

[Chad N. Freud]

Good. I want them to know how stupid I think they are.

Might wipe some of the smug off their withering souls (which I pray for nevertheless).

Archive that, you big-government twerps.

P.S. - if Obama gives the order for a drone strike, you should correct for windage - it’s blowing out of the east here, at about 5 mph.

[Repeat Offender]

Jealous of what..... opposable thumbs? ;)

[listenhillary]

They also steal your “might”

[Ingtar]

From my experience, if anyone is controlling the camera, it is HP. They took the naggism much further than anyone else dared.

[Ingtar]

His precious bodily fluids?

[listenhillary]

Article title?

[Ingtar]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr2bSL5VQgM

[EEGator]

It’s a Communist conspiracy.

[NowApproachingMidnight]

Use Linux, it’s free, easy, and bullet-proof.

Any Debian distro, incl. Debian’s base product is awesome.

Other good ones (based on Debian) are:

Linux Mint
Ubuntu

Just do it.

[jaz.357]

When I log on my desk top the “log in” box has an “X” in it and the password box has a “birds eye” symbol. This does not happen on my lap top. Any ideas?

[daniel1212]

My laptop has a light that comes on when in use. But at least you should if it is running via the Task Manager.

But if it inded is occurring, it could be this:

Microsoft Patent Lets Hollywood Watch You with Camera</a>

Microsoft’s patent wants to control content playback based on the number of viewers in front of the screen.

Microsoft, now you’re driving into Crazy Town. Eurogamer has stumbled across a patent filed by the Redmond company back in April 2011 – and published on November 1 – called “Content Distribution Regulation by Viewing User”. It essentially controls media playback using a camera (like Kinect) by seeing who is actually watching the movie or TV show. If there are too many individuals seated in front of the screen, the media will not play. - http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Patent-Content-Distribution-Xbox-Kinect-Regulation,18961.html

Or this,

Someone could get Trojan per e-mail.
Hackers have developed malware and worms that can infect your computer and take control of your webcam. When you least expect it, your webcam could be watching you.

In 2004 hackers unleashed the W32/Rbot-GR worm, better known as the “Peeping Tom” virus, which exploited a number of Microsoft security vulnerabilities — installing a backdoor Trojan horse. The security flaws have long been patched, but other versions of the bug are being turned out all the time.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/forum/computers/1411904-can-people-spy-you-your-web.html#ixzz2KBfKfN73

[Salamander]

Your are correct.

Alienware sends a real OS disc and you have to install all the other peripheral hardware stuff yourself...*if* you want.

Neither my camera or mic are functional.

Don’t need ‘em.
Don’t want ‘em.