Is it really useful to hide your computer's webcam ? These experts bust the myth

Is this now very widespread gesture as effective as you think?? Experts have looked into the question.

If you have a webcam, there is plenty to do. bet you already have considered cover it when not in use. Such a device capable of viewing us or even filming us can give rise to some well-founded fears. Who has never seen, in a film or series, a passage where a webcam is used by hackers or malicious people to film other people outside their home. without their knowledge ?

These fears were not long in coming. à trigger a protective reflex in people with webcams. Generally all you need is a small piece of paper with tape placed on it. in front of the lens of your webcam to reassure yourself and be certain that it is not being used outside your home. malicious purposes. But is this technique, almost as old as the machine itself, really useful?? Several experts have looked into the question.

According to them, hiding the lens of your webcam is not really useful, but above all allows you to reassure yourself. John Young, vice president of the Vantage Technology Consulting group for more than 10 years, explains in particular that he has carried out the same gesture for this reason: "people who hide the lens of their webcam do it because they sometimes forget to disable". The expert even adds that some people may have multiple webcams and prefer to block their view by default just in case. they would not activate the one they want.

Nizel Adams, director of technology company Nizel Corp, also explains that hiding your webcam is more of a fear than a true preventive act: " I understand the paranoia. But if you're already taking it? precautions, the chances of someone hacking you to observe you are very close to zero.

The expert explains in particular that, if you are the victim of a security breach, the hacker responsible will end up all the same by obtaining what he wants. If images of you could potentially interest him, the hacker will mainly look for ;agrave; obtain your personal and banking data first and foremost. Additionally, some webcams may be equipped with a microphone that you may not be able to hide with a piece of paper and tape.

In order to protect yourself more effectively, it is rather recommended to use to be careful about the links you click on while browsing the internet as well as the data you share. If you are really afraid of your webcam, think about it. unplug it when not in use!