How to Protect Your Webcam from Being Hacked

Keeping Your Computer Secure

Use antivirus software. Hackers typically hack your webcam by installing a virus on your computer that allows them to access your webcam. Antivirus software will detect and remove most of these viruses and will keep your webcam safe. If you get an alert from your antivirus software, don't ignore it. The best antivirus in the world won't keep your computer safe if you ignore alerts from it.

Keep your computer up to date. Whenever a program notifies you that an update is available, don't ignore it. Updating your computer will fix security issues that hackers could use to gain access to your webcam. Some programs have the option to automatically download and install updates. If a program that you use has this option, turn it on. Automatic updates will keep your computer secure and won't bug you with update reminders.

Avoid downloading random files. Don't download programs that you found on the internet through advertisements, and avoid opening attachments in emails that you weren't expecting.

Delete emails that claim that somebody already hacked your webcam. Some scammers send emails to random email addresses that claim that your computer was hacked, and a hacker recorded embarrassing videos with its webcam. The email then continues to say that you have to pay a ransom or else the video will be released. Don't believe these. The sender knows that people will get scared and pay up, but most of these emails are scams. Instead, you should delete the email and run a full scan with your antivirus software, just to make sure that your computer is safe. Even if a hacker does have embarrassing videos of you, paying the ransom probably would not stop them from releasing the video.

Restricting Permissions to Your Webcam (Windows 10)

Open the Start menu Windows Start.

Click on the settings button Windows Settings. It's right above the power button.

Open the Privacy settings.

Select Camera in the navigation page. The navigation pane is to the right, and the settings for "Camera" are located under the "App permissions" group.

Control which Windows store apps can access your webcam. Change the toggle switch next to the apps to control whether or not they can access the webcam. It is recommended that you turn off access to apps that you don't use to help protect your privacy. Turn off access to all apps by switching off the toggle switch under "Allow apps to access your camera." This will only stop apps from the Windows store from accessing your camera.

Disable webcam access entirely (optional). If you don't use your webcam at all, then you can disable webcam access entirely by clicking on Change under "Allow access to the camera on this device", and then changing the toggle switch to off Windows Switch Off. If you use your camera rarely, then you might want to turn off your webcam entirely, and only turn it on when you use it. While this method will stop many viruses and hackers from being able to access your webcam, it is not foolproof and it can still be bypassed. The only way to be sure that your webcam cannot be hacked is to disconnect or cover it.

Restricting Permissions to Your Webcam (Mac)

Open your System Preferences from your Dock. The icon looks like a silver cog.

Hit the Privacy tab along the top, if it's not already selected.

Select Security & Privacy.

Scroll down to Camera. This is where you can find a list of all the apps that have permission to use your camera.

Uncheck any boxes next to app names you don't want accessing your camera. You may be asked to reset restart the app to update the settings; follow any on-screen prompts if so. If the apps or options are greyed out, you may have to hit the lock at the bottom left of your screen before you can make changes. You'll be prompted to enter your account password and hit Unlock.

Turn access on, app by app, if you'd like to. If you've turned off access to your camera, you may be asked for permission again next time the app tries to use your camera. You can grant it from those prompts, if you'd like to.

Protecting Your Webcam Physically

Unplug the webcam when you aren't using it. If your webcam is not plugged in, then it's impossible to hack it. A hacker cannot remotely plug your webcam into your computer. It's recommended that you keep your webcam unplugged when you aren't using it to ensure maximum security.

Cover your webcam. If you have a laptop that has a built-in webcam, then you won't be able to unplug it. In this case, covering your webcam will do the trick. Covering your webcam won't stop a hacker from accessing it, but it will stop them from being able to see anything out of it. You can use a piece of electric tape, a sticky-note, or tape a piece of paper over your camera, all of these will work and will block the site of your webcam.

Turn off your computer or close your laptop when you are doing something embarrassing. If you're doing something that you'd rather not anybody see, then it's always a good idea to shut off your computer or close your laptop. Even if you cover your webcam a hacker can still access your microphone or find some other way to get data from your computer. It always pays to be safe rather than sorry.