Are you interacting online with friends or acquaintances, or do you need to join an important office meeting from home? In such cases, the tendency and necessity to work with your gadget's webcam turned on has increased manifold.
For that, you have to keep the webcam on. But do you know that fraudsters can send malware through this webcam to blackmail you, or you can be subjected to surveillance?
Here’s find out what to do and what not to do
When you don't need to turn on your webcam, cover the camera with tape. Use it as needed by removing the tape, and cover it again once the work is done.
Regularly scan your laptop, smartphone, tablet, or computer to check if there is any spyware or malware related to the webcam. If detected in the scan, immediately quarantine or delete it.
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When installing any app, be careful about which software permissions you are granting. Be cautious about whether you are unnecessarily giving webcam usage permission when installing any app.
Along with licensed antivirus software, also install anti-spyware software on your computer, laptop, or smartphone. Never download or click on any suspicious attachments from unknown email IDs.
Often, these may contain Trojan horse malware files that can take control of the webcam remotely.
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If you receive a suspicious email, even from a known person, alert them so they don't forward it to anyone else. On social media, short URLs or link shortening services are often used, behind which there may be attempts to spread malware or spyware. Don't click on TinyURL or Bitly or such links either.
If needed, along with covering your webcam, you can also go to settings and disable it. You can enable it again as needed for work.
Regularly update all software on your computer. Because security features are also updated with it. This is very important for your gadget's security.
Keep the firewall network enabled on your computer, laptop, or smartphone. The firewall creates a security shield over the network for all traffic coming from or going to your computer.
