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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

#342

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nice try there Mr.CIA (wink-wink)...

It's connected to the damn circuit! You can't power up the webcam without powering up the light any more than you can make the camera see through a piece of electrical tape.

There could still be a circuit in the light that could pass the current without lighting up. Or even if there was no such thing, it could be added in the future after everyone was shamed into believing you are a fool for putting tape over your camera.

There are probably other ways. Stop trying to shame people just because you haven't thought of a way to bypass this.

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

#343
post #203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Black electrical tape actually retains stickiness surprisingly well, and it peels off easily.

I'd recommend gaffer's tape instead: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape . It's similar to electrical tape but it's designed to leave no residue when peeled off.

Also try scotch tape for an artistic blur effect.

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

#344

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...

It's quite similar to the one I've been using on my 2018 15" MBP for the past two years. Can you give more information on the cause of the problem? Did you close the macbook very firmly and it broke?

I also used one on a 15" MBP (albeit 2015 model) for a long time with no trouble. I don't recall closing the lid particularly hard when it broke, though I may have.

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

#345

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…

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.

That wasn't Zuck's laptop. That was an accident of the interview location.

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

#346
post #295

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

You’re posting this late enough to have had time to see that those are all about hardware which is a decade old.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23796606

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

#347
post #318

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

And also because he values his own privacy, just not anyone else's.

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

#349
post #11

This seems like a pretty mild warning for folks who might stick a bulky cover on their camera and press down / pack their laptop tightly and now have wedged part of the screen open with the cover. I'm a fan of using painters tape.... pretty low profile, easily removed, stays on really well. Also the weird blue glow you get when the camera is on tells you pretty quick "Hey there's a cover on there" where sometimes wit…

I consider the piece of tape over my laptop camera like face masks. It may not be perfect nor pretty, but it's damn effective, and I feel better having it on.

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

#350
post #23

> "Designed to protect your privacy, Mac notebooks have a camera indicator light to let you know when the camera is on. ... Published Date: July 02, 2020" Perhaps Apple missed these? 2013: iSeeYou: Disabling the MacBook Webcam Indicator LED https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/handle/1774.2/36569 2016: Your Mac’s Camera Can Be Hacked https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/your-macs-camera-ca... 2016: Former NSA emp…

Maybe apple needs to address customer concerns.

Possibly move the ambient light sensor to the side, leave more space for tape/cover, or add a hardware cutout switch.

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