Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Nickbat on 19 February 2010, 23:41:30

Title: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Nickbat on 19 February 2010, 23:41:30
"US school district spied on students through webcams, court told.

Pennsylvania district accused of using remote-control laptops to photograph teenage students at home without their knowledge."


The class action claims that "since the laptops were used by students and their friends and family at home, images of "compromising or embarrassing positions, including ... in various states of undress" have been captured."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/19/schools-spied-on-students-webcams

I can barely believe this.  :o :o
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Martin_1962 on 19 February 2010, 23:45:24
Quote
"US school district spied on students through webcams, court told.

Pennsylvania district accused of using remote-control laptops to photograph teenage students at home without their knowledge."


The class action claims that "since the laptops were used by students and their friends and family at home, images of "compromising or embarrassing positions, including ... in various states of undress" have been captured."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/19/schools-spied-on-students-webcams

I can barely believe this.  :o :o


My blood ran cold :o :o :o :o

Do not let Darth Mandy know
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Kiksomass on 19 February 2010, 23:49:47
OMG thats really bad! :o :o
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Nickbat on 20 February 2010, 00:04:35
Most of you have Flash Player. Go to this site and you'll see that you have an option to DENY sites you have visited control over your webcam and microphone. I can't figure out how to deny all future sites, but maybe that's because I'm tired.

Startling. And remember what you see on this link is a real control panel for your PC, not an image.  :o :o

http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager06.html
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Turk on 20 February 2010, 00:52:16
Quote
Most of you have Flash Player. Go to this site and you'll see that you have an option to DENY sites you have visited control over your webcam and microphone. I can't figure out how to deny all future sites, but maybe that's because I'm tired.
Startling. And remember what you see on this link is a real control panel for your PC, not an image.  :o :o

http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager06.html

Here ?  :-/

Note: To require that all websites ask your permission before using your camera or microphone, or to prevent any website from accessing your camera or microphone, use the Global Privacy Settings panel.

http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager02.html#118539
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Gaffers on 20 February 2010, 07:31:32
put some electrical tape over the lens  :y
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Plomien on 20 February 2010, 08:01:38
Quote
put some electrical tape over the lens  :y
exactly solves the problem, that or uninstall the drivers for it
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 20 February 2010, 08:06:19
webcams with visible lights when activated is more safe imho..but this is valid for external webcams, not sure for lappies.. :-/
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Nickbat on 20 February 2010, 09:17:20
Quote
Quote
Most of you have Flash Player. Go to this site and you'll see that you have an option to DENY sites you have visited control over your webcam and microphone. I can't figure out how to deny all future sites, but maybe that's because I'm tired.
Startling. And remember what you see on this link is a real control panel for your PC, not an image.  :o :o

http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager06.html

Here ?  :-/

Note: To require that all websites ask your permission before using your camera or microphone, or to prevent any website from accessing your camera or microphone, use the Global Privacy Settings panel.

http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager02.html#118539

Thanks, Turk. I was too tired last night to figure it out, but done now.  :y :y
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Kevin Wood on 20 February 2010, 09:36:34
Quote
This content requires Flash

Download the free Flash Player now!

Guess I'm safe, then. :y

Also consider using the NoScript Firefox plugin so you can control which sites you want to invoke Flash. :y

Kevin
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: webby23 on 20 February 2010, 09:46:36
I get a little green LED next to my built in webcam that comes on when its filming.......

 :y
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Nickbat on 20 February 2010, 09:50:08
Quote
I get a little green LED next to my built in webcam that comes on when its filming.......

 :y


Yes, but what about your microphone?  :-/
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Plomien on 20 February 2010, 11:23:58
Quote
Quote
I get a little green LED next to my built in webcam that comes on when its filming.......

 :y


Yes, but what about your microphone?  :-/
thats what mute is for  ;)
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Radiomarko on 20 February 2010, 17:09:26
That school is using Apple MacBooks, the professional Remote Desktop software for managing networks allows control of all of the networked Macs functions including all software and hardware including the built in iSight webcams, installs and upgrades, monitoring of activity.

I use it from UK <> Eastern Europe to directly control and trouble shoot our home and travelling Macs. Works amazingly well.

Whats said about Flash is very true.... nasty nasty.  :P
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Tony H on 20 February 2010, 21:26:19
Quote
Quote
I get a little green LED next to my built in webcam that comes on when its filming.......

 :y


Yes, but what about your microphone?  :-/


Stick some tape over that aswell! :y
Title: Re: Beware of built-in webcams...
Post by: Hannah Judes Dad on 20 February 2010, 22:52:31
Quote
put some electrical tape over the lens  :y

That sounds like a REME 'fix'  ;D :y