They Watch Through Your Webcam ...

[Hum]

From hundreds of miles away, a man sits at his monitor watching an unsuspecting woman use her computer, undress and go to sleep. She has no idea she?s being watched. The remote attacker has installed software to control her webcam. What?s worse, he?s recording all of her actions and posting those videos on YouTube or trading the videos with other voyeurs online.

R.A.T. Remote Access Tools

This scenario is happening more and more; there are myriad photos and videos available online indicating the practice is getting easier and more popular with an online community called Ratters. They use Remote Access Tools (R.A.T.s) to activate the webcams of compromised computers and record video of unsuspecting users. They call the owners of these infected computers ?slaves,? and compromising videos, especially of female slaves, are openly traded, and posted on YouTube.

The practice of taking over a computer is not new. Hackers have produced software for years that gives complete control of a machine to a remote attacker. Aspects of these tools are also common in the IT field for offering remote tech support. But what?s new is the community of remote attackers who have formed in hacking forums to share or trade access to the enslaved computers and talk about their exploits.

In a detailed article on Ars Technica, journalist Nate Anderson probes into the members at hackforums.net, which he says has more than 134 pages of posts featuring captured images and video of female slaves. Some are recorded from webcams, and others are videos or images found on the hard drives of compromised computers that their owners thought were private and secure.

Beyond invading a victim?s privacy, Ratters have tools in their software to scare or annoy remote victims. They can open and close their DVD drives, display graphic images on screen, have the computer read aloud using text-to-speech applications, or even hide the start button.

Victims are infected with remote access tools the same way many viruses spread: opening attachments, drive-by downloads from sketchy sites, downloading files from torrents or file-sharing sites, or being tricked into clicking links through social media sites.

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[Scorbing]

The fix is very simple: Unplug your webcam.

[TAZMINATOR]

The fix is very simple: Unplug your webcam.

Bingo! But problem is that on laptops, you can not unplug it... all you do is cover it up or close the lid.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

Or look for the light that says the cam is on...

[Azusa]

People need to stop getting laptops to use as desktops they should be pointed in the direction of nettops. You should only get a laptop if you need it for things like work or school.

[FloatingFatMan]

Or turn your damn computer off when you go to bed...

[+Warwagon MVC]

They put the videos on youtube? Really?

Examples or it didn't happen!

[Scorbing]

Bingo! But problem is that on laptops, you can not unplug it... all you do is cover it up or close the lid.

Yes, like a piece of black tape on the lens!!!

They put the videos on youtube? Really?

Examples or it didn't happen!

I am sure you are anxious to see those videos :woot:

[HawkMan]

People need to stop getting laptops to use as desktops they should be pointed in the direction of nettops. You should only get a laptop if you need it for things like work or school.

Why, what does that have to do with this. Just run security software and look at the light...

[Azusa]

Why, what does that have to do with this. Just run security software and look at the light...

but that's common sense not many people have that you know.

[Hum]

OMG -- they see my breasts ! :|

[n_K]

R.E. access lights, that works fine for anyone recording anything, if however you 'pulse' the webcam and take a single frame, chances are you wouldn't even notice the light at all.

[(Account no longer active)]

Or buy an iPad.

[Raa]

This sort of software isn't new. Anyone remember SubSeven? or Netbus? :p

[Growled Member]

Or turn your damn computer off when you go to bed...

If they did that we wouldn't have all these great videos. :p

[xpgeek]

a little piece of black electric tape over my laptop's webcam until i actually want to use it works very well too

[Raa]

a little piece of black electric tape over my laptop's webcam until i actually want to use it works very well too

I've fixed a few people's laptops with this in place. My first thought : "Paranoid much?" :p

[Rippleman]

People need to stop getting laptops to use as desktops they should be pointed in the direction of nettops. You should only get a laptop if you need it for things like work or school.

this now is one of my all time favorite laughs, ty!

a little piece of black electric tape over my laptop's webcam until i actually want to use it works very well too

HAHA, 2nd laugh for the day! hehe, some people are very.... different :)

[+Red King Subscriber²]

All you have to do is get one of those neowin surfing techies to help you harden up your security...

wait...

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

This has been around for years, I actually tried one of the tools, something 7 it was called, way back before XP. You were able to open the cd tray with that as well as capture their keystrokes and screen, I think you were also able to capture their webcam but back then the transfer speeds and technology wouldn't have allowed video.

Never accept any files unless you know the person who sent them or what they are and use good security software and you'll be fine.

Or look for the light that says the cam is on...

That can be disabled.

[linsook]

This sort of software isn't new. Anyone remember SubSeven? or Netbus? :p

Hehe. Fun days.

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

SubSeven, that was the one! My ISP caught me using it cos it was rife at the time, they gave me a warning and I've not used anything similar since (apart from legit tools like Teamviewer of course)

[LUTZIFER]

People need to stop getting laptops to use as desktops they should be pointed in the direction of nettops. You should only get a laptop if you need it for things like work or school.

Hoop your forehead goof. What a bunch of f'n nonsense. Another one of the dumbest things I've heard.

Ever thought maybe some people like to do stuff that requires lots of power, but they like to be able to take all that power with them if need be?

I've had 3 PCs and 6 laptops, and I'd never go back to a PC, absolutely pointless for me.

Mine sits in my TV stand, hooked to my TV, and when I go somewhere, I take it with me.

As for this thread, I couldn't care less if someone can see threw my camera. I have 3 all pointed at me, doesn't bother me at all, I ain't the paranoid type.

[Azusa]

Hoop your forehead goof. What a bunch of f'n nonsense. Another one of the dumbest things I've heard.

Ever thought maybe some people like to do stuff that requires lots of power, but they like to be able to take all that power with them if need be?

I've had 3 PCs and 6 laptops, and I'd never go back to a PC, absolutely pointless for me.

Mine sits in my TV stand, hooked to my TV, and when I go somewhere, I take it with me.

As for this thread, I couldn't care less if someone can see threw my camera. I have 3 all pointed at me, doesn't bother me at all, I ain't the paranoid type.

Did you read the last part it kinda says only get one if you need it which most people who tend to be victims of things like this don't need.

[PNWDweller]

In my Laptop's UEFI bios, I can disable the web cam hardware. Haven't done it yet, but not too worried about it.

Black electrical tape would make the case sticky when removed if left on for some time. Would prefer to find a better solution if that became a regular issue.