Belgians urged to cover their webcams

Even when turned off, it is possible for hackers to see all through the eye of your webcam without you knowing it. This is why Belgium’s Federal Computer Crime Unit is encouraging people to cover their webcams when not in use. 

Authorities have cited a few cases in Belgium where hackers have easily accessed the webcam to record compromising videos and later blackmailing the victims. Although rare in the country, police want people to be aware that such unwanted surveillance is possible. 

Police warn that it is even easier to access the camera if the computer is already infected with a virus. And if you thought that the camera light would tip you off that something fishy was going on, think again. Hackers can easily turn it off just as easily as they turn the camera on.