Computer Tech Accused Of Peeping On Women Through Their Webcams

CBS) ^ | June 8, 2011 5:56 PM | Mike Landon

[BenLurkin]

Police say they’ve arrested a 20-year-old computer technician on suspicion of planting spyware on dozens of computers to secretly watch the owners via their webcams.

Trevor Timothy Harwell was arrested Wednesday after being charged with a dozen counts of illegal computer access and fraud, Fullerton police Sgt. Andrew Goodrich said. While working for Rezitech Inc., Harwell visited the homes of customers to service their Macintosh computers, Goodrich said.

“While he had physical access to the computers, he would install a spyware-type application that allowed him remote access to the user’s computer and webcam,” Goodrich said, adding Harwell also worked on the computers of friends.

“Once he had access, he would take photographs of the users, usually women,” Goodrich said. “Often, the female victims were undressed or changing clothes.”

Harwell allegedly collected hundreds of thousands of images, storing them on a remote server and eventually downloading them to his own computer. Court records show the crimes date to June 2009.

Police got wind of the crimes when a Fullerton man reported his daughter’s computer displaying suspicious messages such as: “You should fix your internal sensor soon. If unsure what to do, try putting your laptop near hot steam for several minutes to clean the sensor.”

Responding to the message, many victims took their laptops into the bathroom while taking a shower, Goodrich said.

[BenLurkin]

"Responding to the message, many victims took their laptops into the bathroom while taking a shower, Goodrich said."

He went after blondes?

[snuffy smiff]

Just the democrat ones...

[freedumb2003]

>>”Responding to the message, many victims took their laptops into the bathroom while taking a shower, Goodrich said.”
He went after blondes?<<

You gotta wonder (LOL).

Now some people may think I am a little nutso, but I put a post-it over my laptop camera and have convinced all my colleagues to do the same. It costs less than a penny, and I put a little bend in the Post-it so I can use it when I want and keep it covered when I am not actively using it.

Given so much I have heard about webcams being hijacked, it strikes me as a small price to pay (I am a standard middle-aged guy but I do have corporate things that might e of some interest to some).

[BenLurkin]

I feel sorry for anybody who'd see me through a webcam. It would give them nightmares.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I never trust built in webcams. I cover them with a piece of tape.

[freedumb2003]

>>I feel sorry for anybody who’d see me through a webcam. It would give them nightmares.<<

Now that you mention it I might be accidentally doing a great service to the interwebz community by covering up my ‘cam.

[Roccus]

He must work for that PA school district.

[decimon]

He knows when you are sleeping,
he knows when you’re awake.
He knows when you’ve been bad or good...

[Orange1998]

“If unsure what to do, try putting your laptop near hot steam for several minutes to clean the sensor.”

That pick up line has been around forever, just take out the word laptop and sensor. LOL

[Lazamataz]

“Once he had access, he would take photographs of the users, usually women,”

.....USUALLY....?

[Pilgrim's Progress]

Anthony Weiner is wondering if they are taking any job applications.

[tophat9000]

Dam if this story had only broke last week...Wiener would of had an alibi

[tophat9000]

Dam if this story had only broke last week...Wiener would of had an alibi

[Thrownatbirth]

I am a standard middle-aged guy

Take your computer into the bathroom when you shower. It would serve him right.