Cybersecurity

How to Find and Remove Camera Malware

Cybercriminals have become quite creative in finding ways to victimize users. There’s now a dizzying array of attack methods that hackers can use to exploit IoT devicessuch as cameras, DVRs and baby monitors, in order to compromise security and privacy.

One method that may have flown under the radar in recent years but continues to be a worrisome threat even to ordinary users is camfecting. PCs and mobile devices that are equipped with web cameras and microphones can be infected with malware that lets attackers hijack and intercept video and audio feeds. (For more on this threat, see Beware! Your Devices Are Spying On You.)

Hackers can remotely turn these peripherals on to record or even stream whatever they can capture, including users’ private moments and conversations. They can also use these recordings to extort users, using the threat of leaking embarrassing recordings to get victims to agree to their demands.