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If you are new to the world of digital video, you may wonder how to check a webcam’s history. Some of the best webcams, after all, record their history, which can be accessed for specific reasons. So why check on the history of a webcam and what are the various ways to do it? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The primary reason to check on a webcam history is to see if your camera has been hacked, leading you to learn how to change webcam settings. Knowing if your camera has been hacked is actionable information, so you can, for instance, learn how to blur the background on a webcam. First, though, you need to learn how to create a background for a webcam, but the process is not too difficult.
Insider Tip
For the sake of security, make a habit of covering up the camera whenever you are not using it.
Otherwise, checking a webcam’s history is not exactly the same as, say, checking a browser’s history or even learning how to check a webcam’s resolution.
As previously stated, checking the history of a webcam is not the same as checking the history of a browser. You aren’t looking at when and where the camera was used; rather, you are looking for anything out of the ordinary that indicates the presence of hackers. Here are some tips to get started.
Your first step is to look at your camera’s indicator light, as certain colors indicate that the camera is currently recording. The actual color differs from camera to camera, but it is typically green or red. If that light is visible and you have not engaged in any recording or used recording software, something is likely amiss. If the light is active and you are not recording, cover up the camera with some tape or even a small piece of cloth. Also, mute your microphone.
Head to the security settings page of your webcam, if available, and try a couple of things. Take a look at the password. Has it changed to its default settings? Can you log in and make adjustments, or will the settings tab not allow this? Is the firewall protection off when you distinctly remember turning it on? These are all indications that your camera has been hacked.
Download and run a thorough scan for malware and viruses to ensure that no suspicious software is running in the background, contributing to your camera hacks.
STAT: All webcam hackers need to do to hijack your webcam is to slip remote-control malware into your laptop (this also gives them access to your personal files, messages, and browsing history). (source)
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