Posted on 02/26/2019 12:57:55 AM PST by RoosterRedux
I just got up and turned on my laptop to check on the news at FR and the strangest message popped up on my computer.
It said something to the effect of:
"Your computer's internet camera as been activated for census purposes."I immediately went to Device Manager and disabled it.
That said, what the h$ll just happened here? Was someone or some agency able to access my camera remotely and without my permission?
Scary stuff.
Ping
I don’t need antivirus. I run Linux.
For removal of Malware under windows I run a live boot CD and use malwarebytes or a host of dangerous tools that can really screw a system up if you don’t know what you are doing.
Your spouse or neighbor kids installed it to get you all paranoid. Run a virus scan...some malware will pop up. Don’t worry...the secret Chinese monitoring system is fully loaded and still in the background.
Put black electrical tape, a small piece, over every camera on every laptop and every cell phone. I did on all mine except one phone and that one died a couple months ago (monthly fee I can’t pull off right now).
But, I wear a tinfoil hat, too.
I cover the mics, too, on the laptops. Ya never know if some hacker might could get to it. I once clicked on a PayPal-looking link. Thank the heavens for Kaspersky - it stopped me knowing it was blacklisted. Oops.
If I want to talk to the computer, I’ll say “Hello computer!” and then invent transparent aluminum.
Got multi-year Kaspersky years ago.
I think every local WiFi system now has at least one “FBI Surveillance Van” listed. LOL
I will cover all cameras will tape after I get up (after coffee in bed;-)).
Silly stuff.
I put black tape over the cameras and the microphones. Why do I do that? Because I saw a picture of Mark Zuckerberg who did the same thing on his laptop. I figure if he of all people knows he can’t keep his machine safe then nobody can.
I use ZoneAlarm and Malwarebytes. And black tape over the camera lenses and microphones.
I use ZoneAlarm and Malwarebytes. And black tape over the camera lenses and microphones.
Yeah I figure why not. Just for good measure.
Shoot there was the school where home laptops (school-issued) had cameras turned on. Just wrong.
The only thing one of my phones still had tape-glue stuck on the lens - had to be cleaned (small task) to get it to photograph clearly. No big deal. That was the deactivated phone. I have tape on my current phone.
My fav phone (except for the overheating battery) could accidentally dial 911 in your pocket. That happened multiple times even though the keyboard was “locked”.
I suppose they figured it was good for safety. I’d have it in my jeans (pants pocket). Arrgh.
Phone has a great keyboard - real keyboard, metal keys.
Battery would burn your ear off though after about 20 mins on the phone. Not joking. It was really hot. Motorola.
Me too, which is pretty impressive since I don't even have a web cam!
It's amazing what those hackers can do these days.
Weird, certain the Census had nothing to do with it.
Does Kapersky offer a boot time scan? Some stuff hooks before windows loads and hides really well that way.
You are not infected (well the message wasn’t an infection but you could be) The message you got is from a dumb dumb at MS coding messages. It just means that Microsoft was looking at your hardware, collecting info and is now going to sell it.
I used to do that. Then a little raccoon-like paw came out of the USB port one day and removed it. That’s when I knew I was dealing with the NSA or higher and turned myself in.
That’s pretty much what I do. As for my desktop, I never attach the thing unless I need to use it.
I have a strip of black electrical tape over mine.
TMI...
If it’s a postit note, the dog probably did it.
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