HomeTips & Hacks5 Signs That Your Webcam Has Been Hacked

5 Signs That Your Webcam Has Been Hacked

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Today, we will show you some signs that your webcam has been hacked.

In today’s world where privacy is becoming a rare commodity, safeguarding your information and personal details are becoming extremely difficult to do. Many people are still struggling with keeping their personal information like banking details, sensitive personal data away from hackers, and even their governments (Yes, the government in most countries are spying on their citizens). You can never be too sure your webcam has not been hacked already.

Hackers may be looking for ways to gain access into your computer through your webcam just to be able to plant malware or a Trojan for remote access to your files, documents, and data. So knowing the signs your webcam is about to be hacked will help you think of how to secure your computer from being hacked.

5 Signs That Your Webcam Has Been Hacked

Below are the top signs your webcam has been hacked:

1. If your webcam process is running in the background

To check this, you will need to visit your taskbar, scroll through all running programs under the processing tab, watch out for webcam utility, if it’s running without your usage, it’s a sign you have been hacked. To be extra sure, you should reboot your computer, then check again to see if it is the same. If it appears the same, disable it and only enable it when you want to use it.

2. If you obverse that your webcam indicator light is unusually on

When your webcam light keeps blinking or the LED light appears to be on even when it is not in use by you, then something must be wrong. The next step is to confirm with all opened programs on your computer including your browsers, be sure none of the activities you started on your computer is making use of your webcam.

If after checking and still can’t find what is making the light act abnormal, close all opened programs and reboot your computer, then check your browser’s extension to be sure your browser does not have an extension starting your webcam automatically. If you find out it’s an extension, locate it and have it disabled or even deleted. You never can tell.

READ ALSO: 12 Worst Data Breaches In History

3. When your network traffic becomes heavy for an unknown reason

It is possible that your webcam has been hacked and you are being watched if you discover your network traffic to be abnormally heavy. To confirm this, check the rate at which your router is exchanging data by closing all opened programs on your computer, then watch to see if the router is still sending and receiving data when no program is running on your system.

4. When your webcam system file contains unfamiliar recordings

Yes, there is a file on your computer where webcam activities get recorded to. You don’t know this? Well, now you know! Another sign that your webcam has been hacked is by going to your webcam icon on your computer, right-click and locate the webcam settings. Then find the webcam folder, check through to see if there are files or recordings that you did not do to be sure you have been hacked.

5. Error messages when starting your webcam

When you try starting your webcam after closing all your running programs, but you keep getting an error message stating that your webcam is already running and in use. This is another sign that your webcam has been hacked. It is advisable you run a malware scan on your computer to find out if there are any unwanted visitors (malware) on your computer. If found, quickly move the file to quarantine.

If you discover any of the above-mentioned signs with your webcam, it is recommended that you use a strong antivirus program to detect and remove the malware.

You can check out our Deals & Special Offers page for excellent antivirus programs that you can use.

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Christian Schmitz is a professional journalist and editor at SecureBlitz.com. He has a keen eye for the ever-changing cybersecurity industry and is passionate about spreading awareness of the industry's latest trends. Before joining SecureBlitz, Christian worked as a journalist for a local community newspaper in Nuremberg. Through his years of experience, Christian has developed a sharp eye for detail, an acute understanding of the cybersecurity industry, and an unwavering commitment to delivering accurate and up-to-date information.

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