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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

#411

Post by bckygldstn »

gtm1260 wrote: post #20

I was very skeptical of the camera covers, but then through conversations with some of my co-workers, I realized that they weren't being used because people were worried about spies secretly turning on the camera. It was 90% of the time just peace of mind that their camera was actually off, instead of having to find the sometimes hard to see options in video chat programs etc.

The UI pattern of a button with a crossed-out camera/mic always makes me think twice: is it a status indication that my camera is off, or is the button's action to turn off my camera (meaning my camera is on)?

I cover my camera to avoid that 5s mental dance at the start of every meeting.

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

#412

Post by unexaminedlife »

I cover my camera (not MacBook, but I did when I had one). Partially because of what you read about hacks.

BUT, the main reason I cover my camera is as a stop gap to user error. I have started chats with people (co-workers, etc) where I accidentally enabled the camera. Wasn't entirely "presentable" either, wearing just an undershirt or haven't shaved for several days, etc. Luckily all they saw was a black square. Will never NOT cover my cameras when not in use because of these experiences.

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

#413

Post by prerok »

axoltl wrote: post #169
causality0 wrote: post #144

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The question is whether this is a firmware implementation that's just waiting for a 0-day or if the +V for the CMOS sensor is literally wired to the LED. If the latter I'd like to see a picture of it.

Hi! I was the security architect for this feature on recent Macs. The LED is wired to the camera PMIC and is powered by the voltage rail that powers the camera. The PMIC will always remain on if the system has power. Macs newer than 4 or so years also have a feature that forces the LED to stay lit for at least 3 seconds after it has been turned on to prevent the single-frame-grab attack.

I am wondering: how does Mac know whether you are in a light room or a dark room to adjust its screen's brightness without activating the camera?

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

#414

Post by draebek »

iso947 wrote: post #369
dabernathy89 wrote: post #217

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the one that destroyed the screen on my 16" MBP. 0.023 inches thick. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C24NBGL/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_T...

That’s about half a mm. what the hell happens to Apple laptops if you get a coin trapped in there When did Apple start building such fragile devices?

Is that a common thing for you, having a coin closed in your laptop? :)

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

#416

Post by sjwright »

PascLeRasc wrote: post #360
inopinatus wrote: post #278

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This isn’t speculation. Opening up hardware to modify the internals is something that covert agencies do, and it’s naive to think that the purpose is equivalent to a simple bug. As someone who posts to Hacker News you are by almost any definition a potential information source or APT vector.

Apple's already addressed this by making their laptops nearly impossible to open up.

Yes, nearly impossible... unless you spend $5 at Amazon on a screwdriver in which case it’s trivial.

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

#417

Post by solarkraft »

jsjohnst wrote: post #320
JadeNB wrote: post #286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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”).

That does nothing except switching the default audio source to the blocked channel. Any app that can access the default source can access the still working microphone just as well.

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

#418

Post by mekster »

happytoexplain wrote: post #140
gtm1260 wrote: post #20

I was very skeptical of the camera covers, but then through conversations with some of my co-workers, I realized that they weren't being used because people were worried about spies secretly turning on the camera. It was 90% of the time just peace of mind that their camera was actually off, instead of having to find the sometimes hard to see options in video chat programs etc.

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…

Right. And some apps like WebEx turn on the camera by default, which is insane but happens and until you click to turn it off, you're live.

Also, if you're using an external display, then how are you supposed to notice the green light on the MacBook sitting next to the display?

That Apple article is nonsense. I put a black tape over the camera and I know nothing including hacks can broadcast unintended scene. It's easy to remove the tape when I actually have to which isn't too often for me.

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