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Mdv2

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 26, 2008
196
27
Anyone knows if these are available already to physically cover your cam?
 
Easy fix.

Step 1. Buy a Stanley knife.
Step 2. Cut around the edge of the notch.
Step 3. Gently remove the notch from the screen.
Step 4. Profit.

Haha! "Gently remove the notch from the screen". That's good material. Nice work.
 
Anyone knows if these are available already to physically cover your cam?
whatever worked before will work now, won’t it? Otherwise I suggest you check where the next Maker-“garage” is located in your area and simply go there to 3D-print a cover you draw/construct in a CAD or 3D program (FreeCAD, Blender, etc.)
 
Just FYI, with the security setup in these machines, the webcam literally can't come on without the indicator light also turning on. It's a hardwired connection that can't be circumvented by software. Maybe that provides enough comfort, as physically putting anything on the screen runs the risk of damaging it when closing the lid.
 
I use a bit of black electrical tape. It disappears once in place and is easy to remove and replace.
 
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Just FYI, with the security setup in these machines, the webcam literally can't come on without the indicator light also turning on. It's a hardwired connection that can't be circumvented by software. Maybe that provides enough comfort, as physically putting anything on the screen runs the risk of damaging it when closing the lid.

No, this kind of (rational) thinking will never provide enough comfort for people taping over their webcams.
 
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Anyone knows if these are available already to physically cover your cam?

The status light comes on if the webcam comes on. No app can access the webcam without your permission.

What is a cover going to do except make the menu car look ridiculously ugly?
 
Just FYI, with the security setup in these machines, the webcam literally can't come on without the indicator light also turning on. It's a hardwired connection that can't be circumvented by software. Maybe that provides enough comfort, as physically putting anything on the screen runs the risk of damaging it when closing the lid.
I really wish this was advertised more by Apple on the product's web page so we no longer have to deal with this horrible camera covers in offices and reddit set up photos. It drew so much applause when it was introduced and since then Apple doesn't say enough about it for new customers.
 
Just FYI, with the security setup in these machines, the webcam literally can't come on without the indicator light also turning on. It's a hardwired connection that can't be circumvented by software. Maybe that provides enough comfort, as physically putting anything on the screen runs the risk of damaging it when closing the lid.
Unfortunately, this does not stop my board of directors seeing me in my underpants when I accidentally join a meeting with the camera turned on, first thing in the morning after a heavy night out.
 
Just FYI, with the security setup in these machines, the webcam literally can't come on without the indicator light also turning on. It's a hardwired connection that can't be circumvented by software. Maybe that provides enough comfort, as physically putting anything on the screen runs the risk of damaging it when closing the lid.
This. Unless you have modified your camera, it is powered through the little green LED circuit. Camera CANNOT work without green light on. If LED circuit fails, camera fails. If camera fails, LED may still work.
 
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Just FYI, with the security setup in these machines, the webcam literally can't come on without the indicator light also turning on. It's a hardwired connection that can't be circumvented by software. Maybe that provides enough comfort, as physically putting anything on the screen runs the risk of damaging it when closing the lid.
That only helps if you're looking at the machine to see the light -- but anyway, I don't bother covering it either, I just don't care if someone could see me...
 
This. Unless you have modified your camera, it is powered through the little green LED circuit. Camera CANNOT work without green light on. If LED circuit fails, camera fails. If camera fails, LED may still work.
This design is what I was hoping for. Can you post a link to this info?
 
Easy fix.

Step 1. Buy a Stanley knife.
Step 2. Cut around the edge of the notch.
Step 3. Gently remove the notch from the screen.
Step 4. Profit.
Just put your cursor under the camera, easy fix.
 
No, this kind of (rational) thinking will never provide enough comfort for people taping over their webcams.
Just FYI, with the security setup in these machines, the webcam literally can't come on without the indicator light also turning on. It's a hardwired connection that can't be circumvented by software. Maybe that provides enough comfort, as physically putting anything on the screen runs the risk of damaging it when closing the lid.
Has the tech been updated? I remember reading it is actually possible to avoid having the light come on, but these were older models: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...bcams-can-spy-on-their-users-without-warning/
 
Has the tech been updated? I remember reading it is actually possible to avoid having the light come on, but these were older models: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...bcams-can-spy-on-their-users-without-warning/
Not sure what model it changed, but the light is now directly powered by the same line as the image sensor.

That being said accidentally turning on a camera on is a thing. So while one can reasonably say that surreptitious recording is paranoia, attending a zoom call in your PJs and bumping the turn-on-camera button or shortcut would still be embarrassing. I always wear reasonable clothes during work and tip down the screen if I am not using the laptop.
 
I would not recommend putting a cover over your MacBook camera. There is orders of magnitude more risk of damaging your screen or camera than there is of someone hacking. As others have said, that green light is definitely hardwired to the camera being on or off.

I will admit to being a bit of a hypocrite in this regard--on my workstation monitor, I have an AVerMedia webcam that I use for work calls. My employer expects me to be on camera for meetings, so I do utilize the little built in slider that covers up the camera. This is for 2 reasons: a) I don't trust third party hardware as much as I trust Apple and b) I sometimes need to be reassured that there is temporarily no physical way I'm on camera. I have lots of apps and Spaces live at a time all day every day, and if I need to mute and blow my nose or something, I'd prefer not to do that in front of the CEO on accident. :)

On the Mac itself though? Nah--just trust the green dot. You can also look up in the top right of the menu bar and see if it shows the dot for anything looking/listening.
 
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I would not recommend putting a cover over your MacBook camera. There is orders of magnitude more risk of damaging your screen or camera than there is of someone hacking. As others have said, that green light is definitely hardwired to the camera being on or off.

I will admit to being a bit of a hypocrite in this regard--on my workstation monitor, I have an AVerMedia webcam that I use for work calls. My employer expects me to be on camera for meetings, so I do utilize the little built in slider that covers up the camera. This is for 2 reasons: a) I don't trust third party hardware as much as I trust Apple and b) I sometimes need to be reassured that there is temporarily no physical way I'm on camera. I have lots of apps and Spaces live at a time all day every day, and if I need to mute and blow my nose or something, I'd prefer not to do that in front of the CEO on accident. :)

On the Mac itself though? Nah--just trust the green dot. You can also look up in the top right of the menu bar and see if it shows the dot for anything looking/listening.

I completely agree.
 
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