HOW CAN YOU BE HACKED OR HACK WEBCAM

FUTURE ENGINEERS


The news has been awash today with stories of a Russian website which links to webcam streams from around the world. It uses systems that have either default passwords or no protection at all to beam video from people's private lives across the internet. 

THE ABOVE IS THE EXAMPLE OF PROGRAM WHICH IS USED TO HACK OUR WEBCAMS

At the moment, more than 500 feeds from the UK, as well as footage from over 250 countries worldwide, are being shared online. So how do you protect yourself? Connecting your computer to the internet immediately opens you up to the world of the hacker. But everyone needs internet access - computers just aren't fun without it. So what can you do? Hacked webcam_404_header2

READ THIS EXAMPLE DOWN BEFORE CONTINUOING....

Steven Fox, an IT security expert, was chatting with friends on his webcam one night when he started receiving some strange emails. Imagine his surprise when he opened one and found images of himself chatting.

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His webcam had been hacked by a “script kiddie,” a person who uses malware written by someone else to show off their skills at accessing other computer systems, says Fox. He quickly detached the webcam, but he had to re-install his operating system after he found malware installed on his computer. “It was painful, but it was a learning experience,” says Fox, who writes a column for the journal of the Information Systems Security Association.

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The risks of webcams may let you stay in touch with friends and family, but they also pose risks of people hacking into them and spying on you. A recent Pennsylvania lawsuit accused a school district of using webcams on school-issued laptops to spy on students and their families. And in China, a sophisticated network of hackers known as Ghost Net has cracked 1,295 webcams in 103 countries.
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Since most laptops now come with a built-in webcam, it’s critical to understand the risks, says Richard Stiennon, a malware expert with IT-Harvest, a research firm that specializes in Internet security. “We all have to become aware that our every action could be watched,” says Stiennon.

How hackers attack webcams Most hackers utilize so-called Trojan horse attacks, says Stiennon. You click on an attachment or download a piece of music or video infected with malware, and a hacker is able to remotely control your PC’s functions
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Hackers utilize a type of software called remote access tool (RAT) that allows them to remotely access a computer as if they were physically there. Though RATs were designed for legal purposes, like allowing a technician to remotely access a user’s computer to troubleshoot problems without having to physically be there, hackers exploit this software for their own benefit.

Typically, a hacker lures an unsuspecting user into clicking on a link, opening a picture or email attachment, visiting a specific website, or downloading some software. After the user falls for one of these, the RAT software is secretly installed onto the user’s computer. The hacker now has remote access to the user’s computer.

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SO NOW..... Preventing Your Webcam from Being Hacked

TAKE BELOW THREE REVIEW FROM DIFFERENT IT GUYS

NUMBER ONE1.
 Make your internet connection secure

Speaking to Kaspersky Lab's principal security researcher David Emm, we've picked up a few other tips for stopping your webcam being interfered with.
LAN cables

1.       First things first, change the password on your router. A lot of people leave it as the default and it's not too difficult to look things up, or try a number of passwords to gain access to a home network. Once a hacker has this, you're in serious trouble.WPA2 encryption is important, as is turning off SSID to prevent the name of your router being broadcast to anyone in range.

For those who don't know what they are, you will find them both in the settings page of your router. Look up how to access it in your router's manual.

Once there, use WPA2 encryption to password protect your router. It will usually appear from a drop down menu. The same applies with SSID, which is what broadcasts the name of your router. It can normally be switched off very easily in the settings page of the device.

2.       Change passwords
Just as we mentioned earlier, setting and changing passwords is going to be very important in securing your webcams.
The Russian website has exploited the fact that most people don't protect their webcams at all, or use default passwords.
A password entry screen


Instead, encrypt your camera using a random password generator. Norton's is perfectly secure and safe.
Obviously, a random password isn't that easy to remember, so make sure you keep this stored securely somewhere to access later - preferably somewhere that isn't connected to the internet.

3.       Secure all mobile devices
One of Kaspersky's main pointers relates to mobile devices. You absolutely have to keep these secure as well

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A lot of webcams connect via apps to your smartphone. This leaves a big exploitable hole for hackers that more often than not isn't protected.
Consider installing security software, and make sure any passwords used aren't defaults, or otherwise easy to guess.

4.       Buy some Sellotape
Ok, this seems completely ridiculous, we know - but in all honesty, when will you be using a webcam apart from to make video calls to friends and family?

For those who use them for security or baby monitoring, obviously this doesn't apply.

Simply put, cover up your webcam's lens whenever you aren't using it. Most Smart TVs - including the FUTURE ENGINEERS we recently reviewed - include a cover or a pop-up camera that you can hide away when you aren't using it.

SECOND REVIEW

Fortunately, you can take steps to secure your webcam. Experts offer these do’s and don’ts:

Ø  Don’t click on suspicious attachments. You’ve heard it before, but too often we click without thinking. Email attachments remain a prime source for malware. Be wary of those supposedly funny emails forwarded by friends and family. You should also avoid suspicious sites offering free downloads of music, TV shows or videos.

Ø  Do use a firewall. “Firewalls provide a measure of protection against unwanted traffic,” explains Fox. Your computer comes with a firewall, but you need to make sure it’s turned on. If you use a Windows operating system, click on the Windows symbol in the lower-left corner of your screen, search for Windows Firewall, and you’ll be able to check the firewall settings. If you use a Mac OS, open System Preferences, click on the Sharing icon, select the Firewall tab and click Start.

Ø  Do use strong anti-virus software. Install a security suite that offers malware and spyware protection, then make sure you keep the protection up to date.

Ø  Don’t keep PCs with webcams in bedrooms. Limit webcam use to high-traffic areas, and remind family members not to do anything in front of a webcam they wouldn’t want the world to see.

Ø  Do secure your wireless connection. Make sure your wireless connection is protected with a unique password (not the default one that came with the router).

Ø  Don’t talk to strangers. Avoid IM conversations with people you don’t know, and advise your kids to do the same.

Ø  Do be cautious about accepting tech help. Would-be hackers have been known to ingratiate themselves with acquaintances by offering computer help. But that gives them the chance to rig webcams so they can spy on the computer user.

Ø  Do look for the indicator light. On external webcams, you’ll usually see a red light indicating the camera is on. Laptops with internal webcams usually have a blue LED indicator. If you use an external webcam, simply detach it from the USB port when it’s not in use.

v  In the end, your best bet is to use a decidedly low-tech solution, say the experts. “The ultimate security control is to cover the lens,’’ Fox says. If your webcam doesn’t come with a lens cover, use an adhesive bandage or even a yellow sticky note to cover it up. (Just make sure nothing sticky is touching the lens itself, so you don’t damage it.) “It sounds silly, but it gives you positive feedback that no one is spying on you,” says Stiennon.

THIRD REVIEW

THE ABOVE articles recommend covering the lens of the webcam with a piece of paper to prevent hackers from spying on you. But doing that alone is brushing the real problem under a rug. Having your webcam hacked means your PC has been compromised by some malware, and you need to take immediate action to get rid of it.

Fortunately, here are some easy things you can do that can prevent your computer from being compromised in the first place.

Don’t be click-happy

Hackers lure victims into installing RAT software onto their PC by disguising links, pictures, or email attachments as something desirable, such as free music, movies, or desktop wallpapers. Be wary of suspicious websites that offer similar items. Also be cautious about clicking on shortened links you may find on social media sites.

Equip your computer with an antivirus and two-way firewall

Having an antivirus and two-way firewall is minimum security any PC should be equipped with. An up-to-date and active antivirus helps to detect and remove malware from infecting your computer. A two-way firewall monitors inbound and outbound traffic to-and-from your computer.

Be cautious of tech support offering remote assistance

Hackers may physically contact you by claiming there are problems with your computer. They’ll try to persuade you to install a program that allows them remote access to your computer, so that they can “fix” the problem. Simply ignore calls from those who claim they are tech support.

Secure your wireless connection

A hacker can easily hack into unsecure Wi-Fi networks with a laptop, antenna, and widely available software. Don’t make it easy for them. Secure your wireless connection with a strong and complex password.

Disable Windows Remote Access

Though most RATs deployed by malware are custom tools, disabling Windows Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop is one thing you can do to prevent hackers from remotely accessing your computer.

To disable Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop for Windows 7, follow these steps:

1. Click on Start and find Computer

2. Right-click on Computer and select Properties

Right-click Computer

3. Click on Remote settings on the left-hand side

Remote Settings

4a. Under the Remote tab, uncheck “Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.”

4b. Under Remote tab, click on “Don’t allow connections to this computer”

Remote Properties

5. Click OK