Pissed at FBI ! and whoever else is involved with this BS.

On a sunny day (Tue, 20 May 2014 05:28:29 +0200) it happened "Skybuck Flying" wrote in :

You are an idiot. Normal people do not want their computers infected and their webcams remotely operated. Or their passwords stoled and their accounts plundered.

Good riddens.

There is simply too much malware out there, and too many clueless kids with scripts.

I've run a across a few websites that like to turn on your camera if you're operating Java.

I need Java for somethings so it's a pain to work with.

Jamie

You're foolish if you don't take physical precautions... I just tape over my laptop cam and bung the mic hole up with putty. I'd like to see some script kiddie write a program that can get around that!

If you're that paranoid, why buy a computer with a camera or mic?

Supposedly you can turn that option off, but I also read that malware can just barge through and disable the "camera on" indicator LED.

Just make sure you use the frosted tape if you don't have electrical tape handy. Also, plugging the mike hole only mutes the sound received by it. Don't believe me? Do you have Sound Recorder installed?

When shopping for the one I'm on now, I noticed that it's hard to find a laptop without camera and mike built in.

Mark L. Fergerson

They're available. I have no idea whether this one has a mic or not (don't care - I'll never use it) but it does not have a camera. I ordered it with the 3x3 WiFi antenna instead, which I might use.

Hard to find notebook and tablet computers without built-in cameras and mics. The mic comes in handy if you want to Skype from them and don't have a headset handy.

Supposedly BOH's iPad has had the microphone and camera surgically excised.

I'm pretty sure my security webcam can't be turned on remotely, not with the power adapter and Ethernet cable safely unplugged.

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

I guess I'm not as paranoid as you are. ;-)

Again, they are available. I've never used Skype. What's the value? Go-To-Meeting, sort of thing, sure. I never saw the purpose in Disney's Video Phone (of the, then, future), either.

Aren't you worried about the WiFi and BT adapters? The NSA knows how to remotely control even your battery! ;-)

So, just remove the camera and microphone then ?

Seems reasonable enough to me, and sends a message that the creation and use of malware is not a risk-free enterprise. This doesn't make the problem go away, but it must help reduce it somewhat.

Sylvia.

Better remove all of the network interfaces, too.

Skype works just as well as GoToMeeting and you can't beat the cost. ...Jim Thompson

Can you beat zero?

GoToMeeting has a cost... if the person calling the meeting has an account and calls you to the meeting, there's no cost to you, but there _is_ a cost. ...Jim Thompson

Of course. There is a cost to everything. The point is that I don't need any of it. If someone needs to call me, fine. In any case, I have no possible need for a camera on my computer. It's less than useless.

I have conducted _many_ interim meetings and even a occasional design review via Skype video.

And I use Skype messaging daily.

My camera is external (USB)... it can only "see" me when I plug it in. ...Jim Thompson

They are more than welcome to listen to my MIC input, that is,

if they enjoy the constant racket of SSTV and noise in between being

pumped into it! :)

Jamie

Lol,

So you download something, perhaps not even use it, or only on your own computer and then everything is taken away ?!

You may want to re-consider ! ;)

Bye, Skybuck.

Seems reasonable enough to me, and sends a message that the creation and use of malware is not a risk-free enterprise. This doesn't make the problem go away, but it must help reduce it somewhat.

Sylvia.

Sorry, people don't get to keep their computers when going to prison for the crimes they commit with them.