Can we be spied on by a web cam without knowing it?

Question

A lady told me that when she emailed a pretty picture to a guy she had been talking too on a myspace he accused her of spying on him through the pic on her page. She and many said it can happen.

No, I don't have a webcam neither does she. It's through the pic sent that he said she sent was spying on him.

Answer 1

I don't have a web cam so there's no way anyone could do this to me. I assume someone might sometime somehow be able to take control of someone else's web cam but it sounds like the guy was either joking or crazy. By the way, if he doesn't want anyone to see him, why does he have his camera pointed at himself? She should ignore him from now on. Block his ID.

Answer 2

I have heard of cases where hackers could activate webcams attached to your computer and see what it sees, but this could just be one of those urban legends, so I really could not give you an honest answer. I will check the web for you though and edit this answer if I find anything.

*** EDIT ***

Spanish police have arrested a man suspected of creating a Trojan horse software program capable of making secret recordings of Internet users through their webcams. The 37-year-old suspect, a computer programmer from Madrid, is alleged to have created a Trojan horse program distributed through peer-to-peer file sharing networks, like Kazaa. The Trojan horse can be hidden in a file for a picture or song, and once downloaded gives the hacker remote access to the victim's computer. The hacker can install a keystroke logger that records confidential information such as banking passwords and other sensitive information. It also gives the hacker the ability to operate a webcam connected to the computer, and to view and record anything in the camera's field of vision. Police characterized the Trojan horse as "highly sophisticated" and said they believe it has already infected thousands of computers in several countries. As far as they know, no commercial antivirus products are able to detect it, they said.

Source: http://www.videotechnology.com/old0105.html

Answer 3

I watched a special on CNN not too long ago about something like this. They had a web cam set up in a families living room and had a hacker hack into their pc and he was able to watch the children playing in the living room. Kind of a creepy thought if you ask me. I just aim my cam towards the wall just in case this ever happens ;-)

Answer 4

it occurs. i dont understand a thank you to describe how they do it. in spite of the undeniable fact that what i will recommend is so you might get an antikeylogger application like spyshelter top rate or zemana, the two can preserve you against webcam logger and different malicious acts in spite of the undeniable fact that they are paid variations, you grants it a try nevertheless and spot for your self. the loose version of spyshelter is physically powerful yet doesnt preserve you from cyber web cam logging

Answer 5

She would be wrong - as would be the many - if I have a web cam I can't spy on you if you don't.

Answer 6

Yes, it can be done. If you are concerned, cut off half a sock and use this to cover your web cam when you are not using it. Definately nobody can see you then.

Answer 7

Yes you can be spied without knowing it so be sure to have an anti hijack and anti spy in your computer for your privacy and safety ok

Answer 8

Only if you grant access, sounds like someones doing drugs.

Answer 9

I don't know about that lady but we are on camera an awful lot more than we know about everyday.

Answer 10

Not if you don't have a web cam.