Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

How a MacBook Camera Can Spy Without Lighting Up

Posted by Soulskill on from the they-can-see-you-right-now dept.

New submitter ttyler writes "It turns out a MacBook's built-in camera can be activated without turning on the green LED. An earlier report suggested the FBI could activate a device's camera without having the light turn on, and there was a case in the news where a woman had nude pictures taken of her without her knowledge. The new research out of Johns Hopkins University confirms both situations are possible. All it takes are a few tweaks to the camera's firmware."

7 of 371 comments (clear)

  1. It's pretty simple by bhcompy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's pretty simple: if you have a device with a camera, just cover the camera with a little black tape and tada, no more spying

    1. Re:It's pretty simple by rtb61 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Far simpler for the manufacturer to wake up to what is going on and provide a sliding lens cover and that means you, you big screen smart TV designers.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    2. Re:It's pretty simple by GameMaster · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If they cared even remotely enough to do that, then they would have already hardwired the indicator light to the same power source as the camera so that one couldn't be run without the other regardless of the firmware.

      --

      Rules of Conduct:
      #1 - The DM is always right.
      #2 - If the DM is wrong, see rule #1
    3. Re:It's pretty simple by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 5, Insightful

      On January 24th, Apple Computer will introduce Macintosh. And you'll see why 1984 won't be like "1984".

      30 years on, how times have changed!

  2. Dont forget about Sound by bobjr94 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Since built in mics have been around much longer than built in webcams, no doubt they were hacked a long time ago. They have no way of alerting the users if they are active or not. Im sure many laptops, tablets, phones, game systems, cars electronics (like onstar & bluetooth) and even smart tv's have government spyware to record/monitor conversations and looking for keywords. Besides attaching a psychical switch yourself to a mic, not much you can do, a piece of tape wont help much.

  3. Re:Firmware by jader3rd · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Surely firmware can not be updated/modified without user knowledge, am I wrong?

    Click here to view videos of cute kittens!!!!!!

  4. Cams can see through black plastic by raymorris · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Many IR receivers and transmitters, such as on remote controls, are covered by opaque black plastic. That black plastic is opaque to visible light, but transparent in infrared. CMOS cameras are very good at seeing in infrared. Therefore, a factory installed cover could APPEAR opaque but actually be transparent for spying purposes.

    When I was a licensed private investigator I may have taken advantage of that fact.