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Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

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Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#311

Post by valuearb »

soulofmischief wrote: post #205
DanBC wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Why are camera covers not just part of the design? I guess Apple are going to say that they'd rather focus on the security of the OS and computer to prevent unauthorised software from being able to access the camera than on a mostly cosmetic doodad.

A simple built-in camera cover is not a cosmetic doodad. And physical covers cannot be remotely hacked, unlike the active camera light which has been overridden multiple times. If we're talking about focusing on security, then the choice should be clear.

Mac camera lights can’t be hacked. And tell you exactly when it’s in use.

Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#313

Post by nojito »

avodonosov wrote: post #294
NovemberWhiskey wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>2013: iSeeYou: Disabling the MacBook Webcam Indicator LED https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/handle/1774.2/36569 ... applies only to older Mac notebooks from like 2008 period which are long since obsolete according to Apple's announced support policy. >2016: Your Mac’s Camera Can Be Hacked https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/your-macs-camera-ca... . ... refers specifically the exploit above. >2016: Former NSA…

it was hacked in the past - that's the point of the above comment No guarantee it can't be hacked again.

There is a guarantee because there’s no way to bypass the wiring to the light to power the camera.

Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#314

Post by lmilcin »

The track record of Apple keeping their camera light shine when camera is in use does not strike confidence and that's why people want to use something more advanced like tape.

Unfortunately, everybody is focused on camera and forget that way more valuable information can be leaked through microphone and other sensors.

Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#315

Post by soulofmischief »

valuearb wrote: post #309
soulofmischief wrote: post #160

If you close your Mac notebook with a camera cover installed, you might damage your display because the clearance between the display and keyboard is designed to very tight tolerances. Doesn't this sound like an engineering oversight and not a user error? Why are camera covers not just part of the design? My phone camera physically retracts when not in use.

Because people forget to slide the camera cover.

That's circular logic.

People forget simply because camera covers are not common enough, so it's not a valid argument for why they shouldn't be more common.

Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#316

Post by TedDoesntTalk »

ryanianian wrote: post #300
TedDoesntTalk wrote: post #289

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Magnetic sliding cover: https://www.amazon.com/SpiShutter-Slim-RoseGold-Magnetic/dp/...

I used one of those (same asin) for a while. Cracked my screen just like TFA says. Thankfully Apple repaired it and looked the other way. I'm guessing they won't be so forgiving now with this article out there.

Ah... got it. Thank you for writing that.

Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#317

Post by valuearb »

CapitalistCartr wrote: post #264

I don't want a warning light. I don't want audited code. I don't want encryption. I don't want security updates. I want the fucking camera to not take pictures without my turning it on.

Great news, Mac camera lights are hardwired to the camera, and have been for ten years, no code necessary!

Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#318

Post by acdha »

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #209
alunchbox wrote: post #185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a reason Zukerberg's laptop has its mic and camera tapped up. It doesn't matter what device you use unless there's a physical switch to disconnect it'll never be safe. Software can ALWAYS have zero days, just because it hasn't been exploited yet doesn't mean it can't be.

> There's a reason Zukerberg's laptop has its mic and camera tapped up Yeah, people who don't understand how hardware works.

Or, more accurately, he and his security experts are weighing the challenge of accurately assessing potential hardware failures against the $0.50 of tape which provably prevents them. If you’re a high-value target there is a lot to be said for layered defenses and easily verified safety measures.

Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#319

Post by ldoughty »

jachee wrote: post #295
happytoexplain wrote: post #140

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly this. I use one for these reasons, in descending order of practical concern: 1. I don't want to broadcast myself during a meeting when I'm not prepared, or perhaps leave a meeting open by accident. 2. If a bad actor does access my camera, I won't necessarily notice the indicator light, especially if I'm not actively using the computer at that moment. 3. I don't trust the indicator light to be permanently unha…

As long as you maintain physical possession of your machine, point 3 is moot, at least on Macs.

See the several articles linked in this page about apple webcams/mics being turned on by hackers....

Apple is good, but they are not perfect

Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera

#320

Post by jsjohnst »

JadeNB wrote: post #286
cgriswald wrote: post #257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Frankly, by the time the indicator is noticed, it may be too late. Even with the LED wired in place and a 'feature' (capacitor or software?) forcing it to stay lit for 3 seconds, the damage may be done. It does, at least, let you know an attack occurred. I really think an LED is barking up the wrong tree. A built-in hardware cover would have the same effect as the LED, and no one would have to trust it, since the cam…

How would you handle the microphone? I don't know any hardware way to make sure my microphone's not hearing me if I can't trust the software.

Plug in a headphone cable that has the wire to the microphone cut. There’s also pre-made plugs on Amazon too (search “microphone blocker”).
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