Webcam Access

Started by PennySludt, January 31, 2020, 04:39:16 PM

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PennySludt

January 31, 2020, 04:39:16 PM
I changed one of my virus protection software settings to block access to the webcam, and I'm getting so many popups notifying me that it denied Chrome access to webcam. It doesn't matter what I'm doing, either! Reading email, browsing sites, even just now on here! What the heck is up with that? Is that a normal thing?
May Evaporate Without Warning, But It Doesn't Mean I've Dropped The Game! I'll Always Notify If I Don't Want To Continue!

Beguile's Mistress

#1
January 31, 2020, 04:49:41 PM Last Edit: January 31, 2020, 04:57:52 PM by Beguile's Mistress
This came up in another thread and I can't for the life of me find it but I put a sticker over my webcam on my laptop to keep people from "spying" on me! :D  I have since found out you can buy a tiny device to stick over your webcam that has a slide so if you do Skype or FaceTime with people you can open and close the access as necessary.  Amazon sells them at low cost.

PennySludt

#2
January 31, 2020, 04:52:02 PM
That's so messed up! I'll have a look for that thingy though. That sounds useful.
May Evaporate Without Warning, But It Doesn't Mean I've Dropped The Game! I'll Always Notify If I Don't Want To Continue!

Missy

#3
January 31, 2020, 06:21:58 PM
I own a webcam, but leave it unplugged for that reason. If you're not using an integrated device, you can also just leave it unplugged when it's not in use, most cases have USB ports in the front so you don't need to go digging around all your cables in the back to do it.

Chasing Dreams

#4
January 31, 2020, 07:00:55 PM
I would put a small piece of paper over my webcam on laptop. The new laptop I bought has a lever to push that will block the webcam.
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PennySludt

#5
January 31, 2020, 07:47:11 PM
Quote from: Missy on January 31, 2020, 06:21:58 PM
I own a webcam, but leave it unplugged for that reason. If you're not using an integrated device, you can also just leave it unplugged when it's not in use, most cases have USB ports in the front so you don't need to go digging around all your cables in the back to do it.
Unfortunately it's a laptop, so it's integrated. But now I'm also wondering if they're doing that with laptops, are they doing it with my phone too?
May Evaporate Without Warning, But It Doesn't Mean I've Dropped The Game! I'll Always Notify If I Don't Want To Continue!

CriminalMindsFan

#6
January 31, 2020, 09:20:10 PM
Should also be way to deactivate laptop webcams. Mine have always come defaulted to off and I never turn them on.

Jag

#7
February 01, 2020, 02:38:17 PM
I put tape over mine. 90% of the time, when I shut down my laptop, it says that my webcam program is still running and has to be forced off. I put tape over the little microphone hole too. Don't know if that comes on, but just in case, at least it's a little muffled by something.

Al Terego

#8
February 21, 2020, 08:37:54 AM
                    

PennySludt

#9
February 22, 2020, 03:15:59 PM
Quote from: Al Terego on February 21, 2020, 08:37:54 AM
This can help:
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2693767
It's already set to 'Ask before accessing'.

Creeeepy! :P I also hate the way my phone is supposed to have GPS turned off and nothing is supposed to be tracking location or anything, but then I'll start getting ads for a place I just went and paid cash! Like...sure...those options are like the buttons at crosswalks. They're there to make you feel like you're controlling something and are more complacent :P
May Evaporate Without Warning, But It Doesn't Mean I've Dropped The Game! I'll Always Notify If I Don't Want To Continue!

PixelatedPixie

#10
February 22, 2020, 03:44:47 PM
Quote from: PennySludt on February 22, 2020, 03:15:59 PM
Creeeepy! :P I also hate the way my phone is supposed to have GPS turned off and nothing is supposed to be tracking location or anything, but then I'll start getting ads for a place I just went and paid cash! Like...sure...those options are like the buttons at crosswalks. They're there to make you feel like you're controlling something and are more complacent :P

You don't need GPS to track location (for advertisement purposes at least), I think a fair number of companies do it based on what wifi networks are around you.  There is big money in tracking unfortunately, so plenty of people looking for ways to get around any setting (even assuming the people who design the setting are on the level). 

Al Terego

#11
February 22, 2020, 04:15:10 PM
Triangulation of signals from cell towers.  nods.
                    

Vekseid

#12
February 22, 2020, 07:40:53 PM
Quote from: PennySludt on February 22, 2020, 03:15:59 PM
It's already set to 'Ask before accessing'.

Creeeepy! :P I also hate the way my phone is supposed to have GPS turned off and nothing is supposed to be tracking location or anything, but then I'll start getting ads for a place I just went and paid cash! Like...sure...those options are like the buttons at crosswalks. They're there to make you feel like you're controlling something and are more complacent :P

Locking down location detection takes a lot more work than just turning off GPS, unfortunately. Bluetooth and wireless Internet also get used for this.

You can turn off this stuff in your phone's settings, though.

Quote from: Al Terego on February 22, 2020, 04:15:10 PM
Triangulation of signals from cell towers.  nods.

Advertising networks don't have this access. At least that I'm aware of.

Al Terego

#13
February 23, 2020, 08:17:38 AM
Google does.  That's how Google maps work without a GPS signal.
                    
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