Worried Somebody's Spying On Your Webcam? $5 Fix To Protect Your USB Devices (And Privacy!)
Channel: Daniel Rosehill
Date: 2021-08-25

If you're worried about the potential consequences of leaving USB peripherals attached to your computer (specifically, webcams, microphones, and anything that could be used to spy on you) ... the danger isn't entirely in your head.

Spyware is a real thing. So is government surveillance. Although for the vast majority of internet users it's only the former that poses a serious concern.

To protect yourself from malicious access attempts (which although unlikely could turn your webcam into an IP camera and your microphone into an eavesdropping device!) apply security hardening at two levels:

- Software: Deploy and maintain a firewall and know how to keep it updated. Depending on your OS, you may also be able to find privacy protection applications designed to make sure that nothing unauthorized is going on in the background. 

- Hardware / physical level protection. There are a couple of really simple must-haves here (for the privacy conscious user). A webcam shield to physically block the lens when the camera isn't in use. As well as slide over protectors that work on smaller lens like those commonly found on smartphones and laptops. 

Finally, consider using a KVM to isolate the peripheral when it's not connected. There are two types of KVM switch that you can consider. Pro level ones intended for use by law enforcement and government agencies. And regular USB KVM switches. Just toggle the output over to the side that nothing's connected to when you're not using it. 

== Further reading ==

To learn more about recommendations regarding using physical KVMs for hardware isolation, see:

https://www.belkin.com/resources/pdf/KVM/White_Papers/Belkin_Secure_KVM_White_Paper_-_Energy_-_03.2018.pdf

== Product suggestions for USB KVMs ("consumer level") ===

(These links are monetized and help support the channel):

USB 3.0 KVM:

https://amzn.to/2UNOqi3

If you have more devices, then rather than adding a separate KVM for each switch consider buying a multi port USB switch. Note: this is obviously less ideal if you may wish to use one device at a time:

https://amzn.to/3Bf2Erw

== To find what I called "pro level" tools search for "secure KVM switches." ==

Belkin:

https://www.belkin.com/us/resource-center/cybersecurity/

Blackbox:

https://www.blackbox.co.uk/gb-gb/page/42252/Solutions/By-Technology/KVM-Switching-And-Extension/Secure-KVM-Switches-NIAP-Certified

Fibernet:

https://www.fibernet-tech.com/

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By: Daniel Rosehill (danielrosehill.co.il)

== Production notes ==*

Camera:
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(I write these for myself to help keep track of what equipment I'm using as I try to make better YouTube videos!)