Web cams are great connection tools; they're used for long distance calls, chatting, and funny YouTube videos. That same device, however, can become a spying eye for hackers.
Take a typical network web cam. Those are often used to monitor a babyroom or driveway, but most people don't know they connect directly to the internet.
"Someone can simply do a search on the internet, if they know the name, and type of camera, and find that camera and connect directly to it," said ethical hacker Michael Gregg. He found thousands of Web sites in a few seconds broadcasting live web cam feeds. "So they could be watching you, and you don't even realize it," he said.
Gregg said spying is becoming a much bigger risk now than ever. Hackers send out emails with malicious files that give them control of your system.
"They turn on your webcam, turn on the microphone and monitor the keystrokes. So if you're typing on your keyboard, they can monitor what you're typing," said Gregg. "Besides that, it's next to impossible to tell. Unless antivirus picks it up," he said.
Hackers monitor your every move to find banking, creditcard, and password info. And the only way to tell you're being spied on is by the web cam light.
"When you see that light come on, and you haven't turned the webcam on, you might become a little suspicious at that time to figure out what's going on," said Gregg.
His advice: Keep virus software updated, and don't open unknown attachments.
"They can be infected, and simply by clicking on them, then the attacker takes control of your system by that point," said Gregg.
If you think you might be spied on, download an anti-phishing toolbar.
MORE: Free Anti-virus and Spyware: AVG Anti Phishing Toolbar
Take a typical network web cam. Those are often used to monitor a babyroom or driveway, but most people don't know they connect directly to the internet.
"Someone can simply do a search on the internet, if they know the name, and type of camera, and find that camera and connect directly to it," said ethical hacker Michael Gregg. He found thousands of Web sites in a few seconds broadcasting live web cam feeds. "So they could be watching you, and you don't even realize it," he said.
Gregg said spying is becoming a much bigger risk now than ever. Hackers send out emails with malicious files that give them control of your system.
"They turn on your webcam, turn on the microphone and monitor the keystrokes. So if you're typing on your keyboard, they can monitor what you're typing," said Gregg. "Besides that, it's next to impossible to tell. Unless antivirus picks it up," he said.
Hackers monitor your every move to find banking, creditcard, and password info. And the only way to tell you're being spied on is by the web cam light.
"When you see that light come on, and you haven't turned the webcam on, you might become a little suspicious at that time to figure out what's going on," said Gregg.
His advice: Keep virus software updated, and don't open unknown attachments.
"They can be infected, and simply by clicking on them, then the attacker takes control of your system by that point," said Gregg.
If you think you might be spied on, download an anti-phishing toolbar.
MORE: Free Anti-virus and Spyware: AVG Anti Phishing Toolbar
