Genuine question. Why are people worrying so much about the camera but none talks about the microphone? Whenever I think about it, the microphone is able to gather far more harmful information than the camera about what I m doing close to my laptop.
Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
891–900 of 990 posts
Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#892Earlier quoted context omitted.
Unless the LED somehow gets disabled, stops working, or something like it. It's not like the tape is ineffective, so why does Apple care if people use it?
Because it can damage the laptop?
Then suggest covering it with a piece of cloth or a post-it.
Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#893I 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.
I never really understood the point of camera covers. If my computer is compromised to the point where an attacker can access my camera and microphone, information from my camera and microphone are the least of my problems.
Per OPs comment - it isn’t about a compromised system for me at all at least. If I’m in a video conference at 6am in my pjs I’m just a button click away from everybody seeing me. Camera cover let’s me know I can’t accidentally do this (and it has saved me on multiple occasions).
Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#894Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#895Earlier quoted context omitted.
For the whole damage from using a camera cover thing, I simply bought as low a profile one as I could find and used a few small felt pads in the top 2 screen corners and next to the camera just outside the width of where the touch pad is (keeps pressure off the pad so the sensor doesn't crack).
I hope you have AppleCare+!
I've had it like this for over a year now and no indications I'll run into any issues.
Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#896Earlier quoted context omitted.
> 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…
> Every laptop Apple has manufactured in the last ten years has an LED connected to the same circuit which powers up the camera. At the very least, I need a citation or an official statement. Because clearly, this has not always been the case [1]: We describe how to disable the LED on a class of Apple internal iSight webcams used in some versions of MacBook laptops and iMac desktops. [..] our investigation of the iSi…
I find it odd that you argue with the 'in the last 10 years' statement with a thing from 2008
Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#897Earlier quoted context omitted.
That is what I like with the Lenovo webcams in T480s and probably later versions. They have a small slider with the camera protection "glass" build in which can cover the camera and will "show" a red dot if it's covered.
This should really be the standard for laptop webcams. The T480 webcam cover is flush with the bezel and you barely even notice it because it's so subtle. One of my favorite features.
Absolutely love that feature!
Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#898This 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…
[deleted]
Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#899I 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.
I never really understood the point of camera covers. If my computer is compromised to the point where an attacker can access my camera and microphone, information from my camera and microphone are the least of my problems.
It's a multi-stage concern.
Sure, someone could grab all my files, email, etc. That would be damaging.
But if I'm having a sensitive conversation in my home/office with someone and the camera and/or microphone come on, that could be damaging as well.
FWIW, I use a camera cover and Oversight[0] to tell me when an application uses the camera or microphone. It doesn't prevent it from happening, but at least I'm aware if something is going on. The weirdest thing I've seen yet is that the iOS Simulator uses the microphone.
Re: Don't close your MacBook with a cover over the camera
#900Earlier quoted context omitted.
> Every laptop Apple has manufactured in the last ten years has an LED connected to the same circuit which powers up the camera. At the very least, I need a citation or an official statement. Because clearly, this has not always been the case [1]: We describe how to disable the LED on a class of Apple internal iSight webcams used in some versions of MacBook laptops and iMac desktops. [..] our investigation of the iSi…
I find it odd that you argue with the 'in the last 10 years' statement with a thing from 2008
Skepticism is healthy.