This may be a little ridiculous, but I was just curious if it was possible for someone to somehow hack the camera or microphone on a MBP and be able to listen/view or record what they would see/hear. Is it also possible for a particular website to do the same?
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Is it possible for someone to hack camera/mic?
- Thread starter AceC
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Yes, it is possible.
However, it is highly unlikely + complex. Plus that kind of malware/virus/spyware would more than likely be made for Windows before OS X, making it even rarer.
Most people who make viruses want to either destroy your computer (anarchists), or make money by stealing passwords/credit/identity info, or tricking you into paying them to save your computer.
Thanks for the reply; makes sense.
However, if by some rare chance that type of spyware existed, how would you know if you had it?
Yes, it's possible. The light is hardwired in though, so that should always be on when it's active. There may well be work arounds to that though.
If it panics you... just keep a small sticker over it when not in use. That's pretty standard procedure in a lot of offices, and it's not wildly paranoid... just slightly paranoid
If it panics you... just keep a small sticker over it when not in use. That's pretty standard procedure in a lot of offices, and it's not wildly paranoid... just slightly paranoid
What about the microphone though? You wouldn't know if someone had gained access to that, though?Yes, it's possible. The light is hardwired in though, so that should always be on when it's active. There may well be work arounds to that though.
If it panics you... just keep a small sticker over it when not in use. That's pretty standard procedure in a lot of offices, and it's not wildly paranoid... just slightly paranoid
Was an article a few weeks ago about this, extremely hard for a Mac to have camera on and the USER not knowing... see that little green led next to camera? yep, hardwired to the camera.
They say it's possible... but more likely to have the camera stream hijacked. (you have the camera on legitimately talking with someone, and the stream is compromised)
Beyond that malware specifically targeting the Mac is rare. If we are talking windows... place tape over the camera. For mac, you can place tape over if you like..
Best thing you can do, don't install ANY software unless you are certain of it's origin. (respected company)
Including browser extensions...
If you think you have some malware installed somehow, run some Mac antivirus. Has to be something like malwarebytes for mac right? I've never looked tbh.
They say it's possible... but more likely to have the camera stream hijacked. (you have the camera on legitimately talking with someone, and the stream is compromised)
Beyond that malware specifically targeting the Mac is rare. If we are talking windows... place tape over the camera.
For mac, you can place tape over if you like..Best thing you can do, don't install ANY software unless you are certain of it's origin. (respected company)
Including browser extensions...
If you think you have some malware installed somehow, run some Mac antivirus. Has to be something like malwarebytes for mac right? I've never looked tbh.
There's a reason non-govt phones are banned inside classified government meetings.
But unless you're a spy, or spend your days chanting your credit card number, do you really have need to panic?
Thanks for the reply; that helps a lot. What about the microphone though, is that a concern at all? What if someone hijacked that? Could they be listening all the time?Was an article a few weeks ago about this, extremely hard for a Mac to have camera on and the USER not knowing... see that little green led next to camera? yep, hardwired to the camera.
They say it's possible... but more likely to have the camera stream hijacked. (you have the camera on legitimately talking with someone, and the stream is compromised)
Beyond that malware specifically targeting the Mac is rare. If we are talking windows... place tape over the camera.
Best thing you can do, don't install ANY software unless you are certain of it's origin. (respected company)
Including browser extensions...
If you think you have some malware installed somehow, run some Mac antivirus. Has to be something like malwarebytes for mac right? I've never looked tbh.
Possible, can't rule that out.
Did some searching: https://www.malwarebytes.com/antimalware/mac/
There is a malware bytes app for mac! Run this, if they don't find anything.. there isn't anything installed.
Do the deepest scan possible, not a quick scan. (if that is an option)
Did some searching: https://www.malwarebytes.com/antimalware/mac/
There is a malware bytes app for mac! Run this, if they don't find anything.. there isn't anything installed.
Do the deepest scan possible, not a quick scan. (if that is an option)
Alright, I'll look into that. Also, wouldn't someone need your Mac's password to access mic/webcam, as I imagine installing spyware would require that?
Here's something that might help your peace of mind https://objective-see.com/products/oversight.html
Yes they would and you have bigger worries than the camera and mic if they have that then all your data is available to them as well.
Yes, thats why I was mentioning only installing from trusted companies. So many people will just install some random Facebook thing that pops up, just because.
It's certainly possible, but apparently it's a lot harder to do with the new Touch ID equipped MacBooks. According to Wired, the camera is now tied to the Secure Enclave, making it much harder to hack--at least in theory.
https://www.wired.com/2016/10/macbook-pro-touch-id-secure-enclave/
https://www.wired.com/2016/10/macbook-pro-touch-id-secure-enclave/
You didn't by any chance finish watching Snowden did you? I was asking myself the exact same question after I finished watching it haha! I even got as far as considering the hardware removal of the microphone in my rMB 12"! (Apparently it is possible)
But then I figured; whenever I am near my Mac I have my phone which would be another device that could be snooped on...
I don't think we can win!