Online security

[andrew lancaster]

I have just read yet another article which suggests placing tape over cameras and microphones on computers, tablets and phones. Is this really a good plan? Can hackers really access and use cameras without the owner being aware? I’d not be thrilled walking about with a bit of tape stuck to the front of my iPhone. And I bet it would okay havoc with face recognition ... 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/insurance/home/john-lewis/how-to-stay-safe-online/?WT.mc_id=tmgspk_fbppc_2670_AtBV7prHQ9Vk&utm_source=tmgspk&utm_medium=fbppc&utm_content=2670&utm_campaign=tmgspk_fbppc_2670_AtBV7prHQ9Vk&pso=1

Andrew

Sent from my iPhone

[C Staples]

Although it feels like mild paranoia I have for a long time taped over the camera on my Macs although have not considered doing the same to my iPhone. I suppose it is because it spends long periods pointing at the ceiling or the inside of my pocket rather than directly at my face. We live in an age where the mass media viewpoint appears to be “if you are not scared we are not doing our job right” but if it is not an inconvenience to do so then some form of prudence could be considered wise. 

Chris

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[Rob Beattie]

That's an advertisement feature on behalf of John Lewis. Doesn't mean to say it's not accurate but it's as well to be aware of the difference between this and 'real' editorial. I'm sure someone could grab your camera and use it against you, but you'd have to be either terribly unlucky or at risk in the first place because of your occupation. IMHO.

Rob

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Rob Beattie
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Author of The Bluffer's Guide to Fishing 

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[andrew lancaster]

Thanks! I shan’t but any sticky tape then!

Andrew

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On 24 Oct 2019, at 09:24, Rob Beattie <rob.b...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Jason Davies]

Most of the tech people I work at UCL with have a bit of tape over their laptop cameras, as well as the postgraduates from Computer Science that I teach! The latter also have location tracking disabled on their phones for the most part (esp Android users). They assure me there is no such thing as anonymous data once you aggregate it. Facebook is often mentioned as the least trustworthy thing on your computer.

But it's mostly like having a sturdy front door and a decent lock. It's not that a particular burglar is expected or known to be in the area, more that should someone come hunting around, they won't get in easily.

What I absolutely wouldn't have is Echo or similar (not even sure I trust the Apple ones). Audio material is often far more damaging than video and - I believe - much harder to fake nowadays.

keep the tin hats handy, folks!

Cheers,
Jason

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[Toby Leighton]

If someone was seriously actively going to spy on you, to attempt to gather some incriminating evidence, or blackmail-able information or something... recording the audio from your mic would be just as good to them, if not more so, and I'd say easier to sneak, and smaller amounts of data to manage then video or stills.  you don't see people taping over their laptop microphones or turning off their alexas and google assistants everywhere though.  Yet you see people taping over their webcams all the time.  I've always found the focus on one and not the other a bit weird, and personally put the webcam taping thing down to herd mentality rather than an actual risk.  If it makes you feel safer from being spied on some how then by all means tape away.  I don't actually believe it would prevent anyone malicious from getting dirt on you though.

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[Jason Davies]

On 24 Oct 2019, at 11:40, Toby Leighton wrote:

you don't see people taping over their laptop
microphones or turning off their alexas and google assistants everywhere
though.

I know a lot of people who literally wouldn't allow them into their homes though, and if someone brought one into the open-plan office I'm in, I would get it removed!