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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

#911

Post by xjm »

pabs3 wrote: post #794
vngzs wrote: post #30

If you're going to cover it, use a sticker, like the EFF stickers here[0]. They're reusable, so you can move it to the side for meetings. I used a hard plastic MongoDB-branded sliding camera cover on a couple laptops[1], and its presence appears to have contributed to backlight bleed like this[2]. [0]: https://supporters.eff.org/shop/laptop-camera-cover-set-ii [1]: https://www.amazon.com/C-Slide-Sliding-Computers-Chr…

The stickers that grocery stores have on apples, avocados and other fruit is also useful for this.

The glue used for those varies, so you may end up with sticky glue on your webcam after removing the sticker (maybe that's good though if it falls off by accident)

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

#912

Post by shard »

valuearb wrote: post #552
shard wrote: post #379

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think anyone suggested removing the LED camera indicator if a camera cover is added. They serve different functions, even though there is an intersection. The camera LED indicates whether the camera is powered on or off, when the LED functions correctly. The cover guarantees that the camera cannot capture video when closed.

The LED is an instant indicator of being hacked, well before they can collect anything embarrassing. Unless you are a 24/7 nudist with a privacy fetish.

Yes, and what is a short term mitigation technique if the camera is hacked? Covering it with something so that you can work with the computer until it is secure again without video being recorded.

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

#913

Post by JMTQp8lwXL »

minerjoe wrote: post #829
JMTQp8lwXL wrote: post #712

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have to use some operating system at the end of the day, and vulnerabilities can impact any of them. You might as well trust Apple as much as the next company, since all of them are liable for millions of lines of code, and it's likely they all presently have undiscovered vulnerabilities.

Why trust a company at all when you don't have to? Linux, the BSDs, etc.

If someone isn't getting paid, what incentive do they have to patch vulnerabilities in a timely manner?

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

#915

Post by shepbook »

vngzs wrote: post #30

If you're going to cover it, use a sticker, like the EFF stickers here[0]. They're reusable, so you can move it to the side for meetings. I used a hard plastic MongoDB-branded sliding camera cover on a couple laptops[1], and its presence appears to have contributed to backlight bleed like this[2]. [0]: https://supporters.eff.org/shop/laptop-camera-cover-set-ii [1]: https://www.amazon.com/C-Slide-Sliding-Computers-Chr…

I've used the same EFF sticker for about 5 years now. They are great and whenever it stops sticking, I just rinse it off under warm water and let it dry. Good as new again.

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

#916

Post by valuearb »

shard wrote: post #912
valuearb wrote: post #552

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The LED is an instant indicator of being hacked, well before they can collect anything embarrassing. Unless you are a 24/7 nudist with a privacy fetish.

Yes, and what is a short term mitigation technique if the camera is hacked? Covering it with something so that you can work with the computer until it is secure again without video being recorded.

Which only requires a bit of tape, not a complex cover mechanism.

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

#917

Post by stOneskull »

conductr wrote: post #713
mulmen wrote: post #604

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use tape because it was already in my kitchen junk drawer and I literally never use the webcam on my laptop. It’s only a threat. The sliding covers are fine but it’s just more effort to order one.

Post It flags for me!

stickers! i have the star wars death star over my camera.

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

#918

Post by neltnerb »

dng88 wrote: post #578
neltnerb wrote: post #463

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Indeed, I'm a little surprised Apple didn't follow the Thinkpad approach of simply having a sliding piece with an aperture that extremely obviously blocks the camera. Surely Apple can't seriously think their users would be confused by this and complain... I don't think my desktop computer's webcam is likely to get hacked either but I'm still going to unplug it when I'm not using it. Complex systems are hard to secure…

It is the mentality not the thinking. In china no one trust anyone really. Hence security strangely is no 1 priority. Hence the cover is in Lenovo portable, but not apple. You are guilty somehow somewhere and to be checked out, and vice visa. Like fish said to be the final species to discover water, one mainlander comes to hk and surprise to see us so relax about security. What the law even assume people are innocent…

I think you'd have to pay extra to buy a laptop without an integrated camera and microphone, not to mention there likely being no options that are also actually high performance laptops.

Yeah, not ideal.

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

#919

Post by dontbenebby »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #715
bloody-crow wrote: post #648

This statement has a number of issues. First, you have to trust Apple that the indicator _really_ can't be disabled. You also have to trust that there isn't a vulnerability Apple is not aware about that could allow rolling the camera without the light coming on. This has happened in the past [0] and there are known Apple products that are vulnerable, yet the statement never mentions this making you believe it's impos…

> First, you have to trust Apple that the indicator _really_ can't be disabled. You also have to trust that there isn't a vulnerability Apple is not aware about that could allow rolling the camera without the light coming on. I have made this point several times throughout this thread, so I apologize for repeating myself: Every laptop Apple has manufactured in the last ten years has an LED connected to the same circu…

This is admittedly a bit of a movie plot threat, but could an evil maid attack rewire this, then later malware takes advantage of the rewiring?

IMHO layers of security are good.

On my end I worry about the risks of constantly just leaving my Mac, which has filevault enabled, simply protected by a screensaver. Is that less secure than if I put it to sleep? And presumably turning it off completely is safest?

How do I make informed choices about how much "locking" to do when I step away?

These are all things I think about reading an article like this, and I'd love to hear other's thoughts.

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

#920

Post by donmcronald »

Wowfunhappy wrote: post #715
bloody-crow wrote: post #648

This statement has a number of issues. First, you have to trust Apple that the indicator _really_ can't be disabled. You also have to trust that there isn't a vulnerability Apple is not aware about that could allow rolling the camera without the light coming on. This has happened in the past [0] and there are known Apple products that are vulnerable, yet the statement never mentions this making you believe it's impos…

> First, you have to trust Apple that the indicator _really_ can't be disabled. You also have to trust that there isn't a vulnerability Apple is not aware about that could allow rolling the camera without the light coming on. I have made this point several times throughout this thread, so I apologize for repeating myself: Every laptop Apple has manufactured in the last ten years has an LED connected to the same circu…

Regardless of how foolproof the design is, I don’t have the ability to assess it to ensure it’s doing what I’ve been told it’s doing.

I can definitely assess a shutter.

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