Mac OS + IOS Camera Security Issues

[badbadboy]

I've been logging some long days on the computer recently and started to get a bit paranoid about the MBP. Periodically like once per hour the camera green light would come on for say 3 seconds and then go dark again. I use Skype and also FaceTime; so I started to wonder if I had been hacked. I had not enabled either app when I noted the green light on scenario so my spydie senses were on full alert. I was thinking someone had planted code that enabled their use of my camera....

I ran intensive tests with a few Anti Virus, Anti Phishing, Key Logging and Malware detection programs and only found the usual cookie tracking code that you would normally pick up browsing the web. Nothing.

Research found that yes, hackers are able to get control of your camera in IOS and Mac OS.

Here is an article about the phantom FaceTime camera hack:

https://www.intego.com/mac-security-blog/your-macs-camera-can-be-hacked/

I found this article on Inverse.com which gives credence to the IOS devices getting hacked.

https://www.inverse.com/article/14389-iphone-camera-privacy

I recall the 60 Minutes piece from a year or so ago and that wasn't enough for me to take more precautions. Pretty freaky that all they need is your phone number to hack your phone and use your camera for their own purposes.

So who is covering up the camera light on their Mac's and on their iPhones ? I am.

 

[Warl0ck]

There is a myth that Mac OS is "virus proof" and that's inaccurate. The problem is compounded by people who do not use any anti virus on Mac OS. If you use Mac, make sure you run some form of AV on it, even if that's free. As to how easy it is to infect a system and take control of the webcam AND THE MICROPHONE, be assured. It's not that difficult. You'll have to trust me because I'm not explaining it so I can enable people to do malicious things. The Mac exploit is listed here on the Homeland Security website. https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2016/12/12/Apple-Releases-Security-Updates

Just some basic security for pooners and the ladies:

- Patch your computers. Mac tells you when you patches are released. On Windows, patches come out monthly on Patch Tuesday (second Tuesday of the month). Today is Patch Tuesday. If you use Linux, well you probably know what apt-get and yum are
- update Adobe reader ALL the time.
- update or remove Flash all together. The top 10 vectors for malware are Flash.
- update or remove Java.
- If you use Windows, take away your admin rights and force an escalation to admin to install software.
- Don't install software unless it comes from a reputable source.
- Don't use public wireless. Ever.
- Don't click on links unless you're sure of the source

Phones:

- Update your phone all the time. This is especially true for Android phones
- If you must use Android, buy from a reputable hardware vendor. Google is the best. Do NOT buy some cheap Chinese knock off.
- Use the Google Store for apps or Amazon. The fastest way to infect a phone is through an app
- Run AV on your Android smart phone
- Update your iPhone regularly. Apple is secretive but they do issue patches. They can be found here. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222
- Re: Public Wireless. In larger areas like airports, the wireless systems can & do follow you around. Corporations use this information to find out where the people go to set up kiosks or bathrooms, etc. Until recently a system could actually remember you and identify last time you were there. This is not longer the case thanks to iPhone and Android using MAC randomization. Use your data plan if at all possible.
-

Can a phone be hacked just from a number? The answer is yes. An Israeli firm called Cellebrite claims to have the software. Same firm assisted the FBI in the hack of the iPhone in the San Bernadino "terrorist" case. It is unlikely a typical hacker has access to this software or an do this.


As for your camera coming on BadBadBoy, I don't mean to sound alarmist but it is possible you've been exploited.

 

[westwoody]

Yet people still insist Apple stuff has no viruses...
An sp I know has a tracker on her bf's iPhone.

 

[badbadboy]

Yet people still insist Apple stuff has no viruses...
An sp I know has a tracker on her bf's iPhone.

I've had anti virus, malware and third party Mac OS software subscribed to for the past two years. I've got pages of the stuff that I have isolated, flagged, deleted and quarantined since the AV software was installed.

Apple products used to be 10% of the world market and were of no concern to hackers. Now with their success and the belief their Macs were impenetrable I think there is a culture out there that want to hack people's Macs and iPhones.

 

[Caramel]

I personally (in my little sanctuary) I only use a PC, its a small acer pc and my monitor has no camera, its a desktop setup, no webcam or mic or anything I don't use facetime or skype or anything like that. But I have laptops and a MAC desktop (yes we love desktops lol) etc and all of them have the camera part covered at all times unless its being used. My sister became paranoid a few years ago and especially since we are girls, she has them all covered

 

[Warl0ck]

I personally (in my little sanctuary) I only use a PC, its a small acer pc and my monitor has no camera, its a desktop setup, no webcam or mic or anything I don't use facetime or skype or anything like that. But I have laptops and a MAC desktop (yes we love desktops lol) etc and all of them have the camera part covered at all times unless its being used. My sister became paranoid a few years ago and especially since we are girls, she has them all covered

I'd recommend you disable your microphone too. Just turn it off in the Control Panel. You can cover it with tape as well. I'll add in the same for modern Smart TV's that come with a cam or mic. The software on the TV is often a Linux variant and they don't patch them.

 

[summerbreeze]

apple has sure gone downhill quality wise since Jobs passed away

he ran a tight ship when it came to making sure the product was as good as they could make it

seems that attitude is gone, not that it easy to control that kind of workforce

 

[Warl0ck]

apple has sure gone downhill quality wise since Jobs passed away

he ran a tight ship when it came to making sure the product was as good as they could make it

seems that attitude is gone, not that it easy to control that kind of workforce

I agree. The quality of Apple products has fallen. It's the little things, flakey software, crashes, etc. etc. etc. The security problems are not the fault of the absence of Jobs though, it's the heighten "hacker enviro" we live in. Governments looking to control people in every sense, state sponsored hacking, ignoring the constitution and charter of rights all in the name of so called public safety. It's only going to get worse.