How to 'cover' security cameras without using a towel.

Many modern cameras allow users to remotely turn off recording, either through privacy mode or automation via a smart home platform.

Some security cameras support remote recording shutdown. (Image caption: Bay Alarm.)

The trend of covering security cameras or webcams isn't a new idea. Many people use this method to prevent spyware from recording them, or to ensure privacy in certain situations.

Physical solutions like towels, tape, or webcam covers offer a greater sense of security, but can be inconvenient when you need to use the camera immediately. Many camera and mobile device manufacturers have integrated remote image muting features, ensuring privacy while maintaining convenience.

Are covering with a cloth or using tape effective?

According to security experts, there are many reasons why webcams and security cameras are vulnerable to hacking. One of them is outdated software, including the operating system on smartphones/computers and the security camera's firmware.

Manufacturers regularly release security patches, but not everyone updates their devices in time. Therefore, it's necessary to regularly update software and firmware to receive the latest security patches (enable automatic updates if available).

Malicious actors can also exploit apps to hack into cameras/webcams. According to the Washington Post , granting access permissions to apps on computers or smartphones means that privacy depends on the app developer. Installing apps from unknown sources can increase the risk of hackers hacking into webcams, jeopardizing information security.

Physically covering webcams or security cameras isn't really convenient. Photo: Unsplash .

With security cameras, giving access to camera accounts to family members or others can increase the risk of password leaks. Furthermore, using cloud storage services from unknown sources or foreign servers can also make data vulnerable to intrusion.

In 2016, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg (formerly Facebook) attracted attention when he used tape to cover the webcam on his laptop. This sparked discussion in the community because it was a drastic measure from the founder of the globally popular social network.

Similarly, some people might cover security cameras using physical methods like towels or tape. However, these solutions may be less effective when cameras are often placed in high, hard-to-reach locations.

In reality, physically covering cameras or webcams may not be effective in the long run, especially with new devices like smart glasses making recording almost constant. Therefore, using cameras/webcams in a way that ensures privacy depends on the context, the user's control, and their choices.

How to turn off the camera remotely

Currently, many manufacturers offer a Privacy Mode on their security cameras. When activated through the management app, this feature stops recording and streams live footage, making it impossible to view the footage through the management app unless the Privacy Mode is turned off.

Some security camera models also incorporate lens covers or rotating mechanisms that automatically activate when privacy mode is enabled. This combines the convenience of remote software with physical protection.

If the camera supports a smart home platform like Google Home or Apple Home, users can set up scenarios to automatically turn privacy mode on or off.

Some devices allow you to turn on privacy mode when you get home, turn it off when you leave, or turn it on for a specific period of time. Of course, users can control it with voice commands via Siri or Google Assistant.

The privacy mode on some cameras allows you to remotely turn off recording. Photo: @Setup_and_Solve/YouTube .

Other options if the security camera doesn't support remote shutdown include plugging it into a smart power outlet and then using your phone to cut off the power. Another solution is to log into your Wi-Fi router and block the camera's MAC address, but this method is more complicated and time-consuming.

On mobile devices, iPhone users can check which apps have permission to access the camera by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera , and then turning off unnecessary apps. Android devices also support a similar option in the system settings.

On Apple devices, users can see when the camera or webcam is in use through a green dot in the corner of the screen. Tapping the green dot or activating Control Center will display a list of apps using the camera, allowing users to manage and disable them when not needed.

Source: https://znews.vn/cach-tat-camera-an-ninh-khong-can-dung-khan-post1601831.html