How to Tell If Someone Has Hacked Your Laptop Camera

Ali Raza  - Expert Tech Journalist
Last updated: November 8, 2023
Read time: 6 minutes
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Learn the tell-tale signs to know if your laptop webcam has been hacked and is being used to spy on your computer activities, plus how you can stay safe.

THE TAKEAWAYS

The laptop’s built-in camera feature has made video calling and conferencing more effortless. However, it is one of the easiest targets for cybercriminals. In most cases, clicking a malicious link allows remote malware to install on your laptop, giving the spy the internal control of your webcam and access to your personal data. Although, it is difficult to detect the presence of any such malware. However, some signs clearly tell if someone has hacked your laptop webcam. This guide includes all the possible warning signs alongside the best possible ways to prevent webcam hacking.

Have you ever had a crazy feeling that someone could be watching you while seated on your laptop doing what you do best? Well, probably you may be paranoid, but there’s a high chance that the camera of your computer has been hacked. Scary right?

A laptop camera is one of the significant computer accessories that you can use in various ways. However, it also poses the most serious threat to your privacy invasion. If someone gets control of your laptop camera, the hacker uses it to spy on you, with the consequences well documented.

Some experts have gone as far as to argue that users have probably already lost the war on privacy.

However, nothing is lost yet, as all you have to do is to upgrade your security protocols. Primarily, you need to install a quality VPN such as ExpressVPN and use some common sense to protect your privacy.

Therefore, if you must be worried that someone is spying on your cell phone or laptop webcam, then you’re not alone.

Interestingly, only a few years back, Mark Zuckerberg was pictured covering his laptop camera with some piece of tape.

Now, imagine the boss of a giant tech firm like Facebook, with probably the best tech support to back him up, worried about webcam hackers. That tells it’s something that you must be cautious about, at the very best.