Is Your Phone Camera Hacked? You Probably Never Considered It

Summary: Phone cameras and webcams can be used to carry out cyberattacks or spy on you or your company. There are warning signs that your camera has been hacked, and several ways to help prevent phone and webcam hacks.

The use of desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile phone cameras and webcams has expanded. Video conferencing, monitoring security cameras, documenting things, or even using a phone camera to take a picture of where you parked are all commonplace. However, cameras that connect to your computer, phone or company network create an additional entry point for cybercriminals to exploit to gain access to your personal and company data.

Can Hackers Hack Your Camera?

Cyber security is no longer an “install anti-virus software and you’re done” endeavor. Today, there are so many vulnerable elements to protect that the average user might not be aware of them all. For example, many users do not know about camera hacking or “camfecting.” Cybersecurity is best applied in layers. Security software is one element of protection and works best when used alongside device security settings, regular network assessments and employee security awareness training. Hackers can use improperly secured cameras as an entry point, but strong passwords and settings can help reduce this risk.

What Is Camera Hacking?

Camera hacking is the remote activation and control of a webcam on a connected device (desktop computer, laptop, tablet or cell phone) without permission. When this breach occurs, the immediate threat is that your webcam can become a device for spying on you and your surroundings. If your webcam can see it, so can a cybercriminal.

Is My Webcam Hacked?

There are several severe threats to webcam security. The principal cyber vulnerabilities that become entry points for camera hacking are:

• Malware In Phishing Emails, Texts, Social Media and Applications – Cyber thieves count on the impulsivity of users. By attaching or embedding malicious code in applications, texts, emails and social media, cyberthieves trick a user into clicking and opening the malware. Once the phishing message is opened, hackers can gain remote access to the user’s webcam.
• WiFi Routers – Unsecured routers are common targets for cyberattacks. After breaching your unprotected router, the hacker can break into all your webcams. Hackers can hack your camera using the factory default password settings. Therefore, changing the factory default password on your router to a unique and more complex one is vital.
• Video Conferencing Platforms – Video conference applications such as Zoom are potential cyberattack entry points. Imagine the potential for the exponential expansion of such attacks. Small to mid-sized businesses could unwittingly expose their clients, vendors and employees with whom they have had video conferences to webcam hacks. Hackers will sometimes use small companies to gain access to larger, more valuable targets.

How to Know if Your Phone Camera is Hacked: Warning Signs

How can you tell if your camera is hacked? There are several key signs to look for:

• A Blinking Camera Light – If your webcam’s red “on” light is on or flashing when you are not using it, you might have been hacked.
• Unusual Battery Drainage – If your cell phone, tablet or laptop battery seems to be draining too quickly, it could mean that malicious software is operating in the background without your knowledge or permission.
• Cyber Extortion – If any unknown source contacts you about sensitive or personal images they have of you, it is likely that you have already fallen victim to a camera hack.

Webcam hacks must be taken seriously. Businesses infected by camera hacking can lead to corporate espionage, ransom demands, personal attacks on employees and expansion of the overall attack landscape. In the worst-case scenarios, webcam hackers can stalk employees at the office and home or breach security footage in buildings to plan robberies and other criminal activities.

How to Help Prevent Camera Hacking

Fortunately, there are some simple and cost-effective ways to reduce the risk of camera hacking on your connected devices:

• Update All Software – In addition to having robust and up-to-date anti-virus software, all applications and system software should be as current as possible. Developers often release essential security patches with new updates. Therefore, your cyber security plan should include installing all updates immediately (ask your technician to set updates to occur automatically).
• Protect Remote Access Work – The dramatic increase in remote work has created new entry points for attackers. If you work from home or manage employees who do, make sure everyone working from home is trained in company best practices and cyber security protocol. Having everyone on the same page about security supports a company-wide team effort to protect devices and private data. A few key training points include never using public WiFi (unless using a VPN), increasing security settings on any video conferencing apps you use and investigating before clicking on attachments or links.
• Use Mobile Device Security Tools – Part of IT maintenance involves protecting your devices from camera and other hacks. Password management software can create strong passwords and store them in a secure locker that is accessible from any of your devices. Password managers, virtual private networks (VPNs) and security software add another layer of cyber security to defend against cybercrime. Ask your IT technician to recommend reputable mobile device security tools and show you how to use them.
• Got Tape? – Placing a piece of tape over the camera lens or aiming it at the ceiling is the most straightforward protection against a webcam being used to spy on you or your employees. You could also unplug webcams when not in use.

Every day, millions of new devices are connected to the Internet. With each new endpoint connection comes a new cyber security vulnerability. The target landscape for cybercrimes grows all the time, and threats to our privacy and the security of our data are increasing too. The only lasting solution is making cyber security a priority and using all the available tools to protect your computer systems at work and home. Ask your IT technician to discuss IT security strategies for your small business and make recommendations on reliable security products such as VPNs, security monitoring software and password managers. Free software versions are not always the best option for protecting valuable company data against cyberattacks.