I heard that when your camera/computer is switched off - people (hackers, perverts, the government, or even the iluminati!! ) can be watching you at home at any time!
Is this true? Shoukld we all put our cams facing a wall when they arent in use?

If your computer is switched off there's no power supply to your camera...

...nuff said, doesn't matter how good a hacker you are.

Exactly. Though its another matter if your computer is ON.

If you're worried just get one of those covers that easily slides over the lens.

A friend of mine in Belgium is actually an extremely good hacker (he doesn't do anything bad anymore though) and he's said before (and has done so himself) that it's completely possible to watch someone's webcam if they're infected by a hacker. Even if you think your webcam is turned off, they can still get images off it and you wouldn't even notice. Desktop screenshots, files, download lists, access to your webcam, you name it-they can get it. If your computer is shut down however, then they can't do anything. If you're suspicious about someone viewing your webcam through those means, I would advise unplugging it when not in use, or like someone mentioned, getting a cover for the lens if they are made for the model of webcam you have.

Moved to conspiracies section

You know what? I have really never thought about it... *Plugs out his web cam*

yea it is indeed possible ive done it too a couple friends just to mess around, its a lot easier than people think, i keep mine with the shutter closed

Ya and don't forget microphones, same concept applies.

As long as your computer is turned off no one can Hack your webcame, because it is impossible to hack your computer then. But if its on, it is possible

So umm, ya BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING!!!!!! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES

lol

~Thanato

Im WaTchINg YoU..........

Any computer with a good firewall that is stealthed is farily safe, especialy as far as the webcam is concerned; if a computer is properly stealthed might as well be turned off as far as any hacker is concerned.

It's those computers that have ports open for video conferencing and similar video streaming that would be at risk.

I would recommend getting Kaspersky virus scan and their firewall if you're worried about being hacked like this. A lot of 'hackers' submit their files to Kaspersky in case they are ever infected. A lot of people have the misconception that Norton is the best virus protection-that's an outright joke. It takes about 5 minutes to alter a virus to get past Norton. Kaspersky is a German software though and not as well known...when norton finds 5 viruses, Kaspersky will find about 20 usually. If you want to check it out I believe their website is www.Kaspersky.com (if you dont have a very good comp I wouldn't recommend having their virus software running 24/7 though-can slow down an old computer quite a bit)

Uuumm.. I'd like to add some comments here. As a computer tech, I can tell you that it can happen. With web cams, the best defense is like what was stated earlier. Unlpug it from the computer or have an actual cover for it(some cams are equiped with flip-down plastic covers over the lens)
In all cases, remember this: Turning off one's computer just through the power button does not mean that it can not be turned back on by a hacker. Hibernation and sleep modes are favored aspects of some hackers.
The only true way to stop ANY intrusion is to turn-off the computer and then pull the power cord and internet connection from the wall/machine. The power cord is the ultimate. If you think you are being attacked at the moment, but wish to use your computer programs which do not require an internet connection, pulling the dial-up or broadband RJ/12 RJ/45 connector from your computer will stop that dead(if no damage slipped in)

For real! How can they turn the computer on if it is off?

Please don't misunderstand me. I may have not worded that correctly. What I meant is this: Many computers can have their power button set to put the computer in certain modes, such as wake on lan mode, instead of FULLY turning off the computer.
If the power button was not configured this way(either through the user or a special virus) than of course the computer can not be turned on by a hacker.
But if the power button is configured as above, it is possible.
That's what I have heard anyway. I am a computer technician, but I am not an expert on computer security(yet- in my plans) so I do not know just how vulnerable this feature is to a hacker, but it is logically possible.

Let me see, were is my web cam, my computer desk is such a mess that all they would see is a pile of papers and junk. But unpluging it seems like a good idea. I had some hackers take control of my computer while I was on line. That is an icky feeling. I just unpluged the connection.

I was wondering why I started getting all of those porno offers and swingers club offers. I guess putting my computer in our bedroom was not such a good idea.

Yeah, I agree. Norton is a complete Joke. Even AGV anti virus is crap now.

OK it is very possible, if the computer is *ON* a simple virus, some of u may recognize the name Alla-Minos' virus, allows the "hacker" to access your desktop able to use ur programs/any thing on ur computer enabling him to activate your webcam O.o but, a hacker cannot *hack* you unless they send u this virus, or somehow get it hidden in a spy ware!(good luck doing that)

You have nothing to worry about. Leave your computer and webcam on all the time. People can only see through it during a leap year, on a Tuesday with a full moon. Other than during that rare occassion, feel free to do whatever you want because you have complete privacy!

Er, sorry, forget that. I mistakenly thought you were the babe from American Pie!

Now I'm glad I don't own a webcam!