Disabling microphone & camera on new laptop - installing switches? Other ideas?

I saw a member's post about him finding hundreds of hours of audio recordings on his machine after it crashed:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

I have a new laptop which I'm not crazy about having a camera & microphone (it's running windows, my other laptops had mic & camera but ran a better OS that I trusted). I was trying to figure out the best way to control the ability of the microphone to record, and the camera I guess. I was thinkng of installing a switch inline with a lead of the microphone and maybe one on a wire from the camera. I'd be able to switch the peripherals on and off and when they were off, the computer shouldn't be able to see the camera or mic.

Has anyone seen this done on a laptop before? I think I can fit some small switches (probably not digital - I'd use mechanical slide or button) on the top or side without issue.

For those who will say "disable it in the control panel", that's not going to work. They seem to be able to be re-enabled "remotely", just like wifi, bluetooth and webcams...

a reply to: DigginFoTroof

Just put a piece of duct tape on it.

a reply to: DigginFoTroof

small black piece of duct or Gorilla tape...thick...placed over each

I wouldn't bother disabling the camera and mic if you're still going to use any known software/OS/web browser. Your browsing activities would reveal far more about you than a webcam ever could.

Basically, if you're using a computer, your privacy is already toast. Unless you're an expert you'd never be able to start to figure out where to look to try to make it more secure. And if you were an expert, you wouldn't be asking how to disable your webcam.

Basically, your browsing behavior is like a webcam for your brain. Think of it that way.

a reply to: DigginFoTroof

I think that you'd probably find that there are no leads to either mic or camera, they'll most likely be soldiered direct to board. I've stripped a fair few laptops over the years (I like shiny stuff, lol).

As others have said, black tape of pretty much the way to go.

You could try disabling them in device manager.

originally posted by: Flatcoat
You could try disabling them in device manager.

GET OUT OF HERE. GO, NNNNOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!


And to the other, does tape block sound? /sarcasm

As for the wires, it doesn't matter how they are in there, I can take care of it, it's not that difficult unless it's an optical wire, that would make things interesting but I know they aren't. Taken apart & scrapped a "couple" laptops in my day, so I have a little experience. I'd probably just cut the wire and put a SPST switch for the mic and maybe one for one of the signal wires for the camera. That way when the switch is open, no signal can be passed over the wire, close the switch and it works like a normal device. The computer would just not detect the device when the switch is open.

This can be done with cell phones as well, it's MUCH more difficult, but it is possible. You have to be pretty skilled at soldering and cutting/tapping ribbon wire though, much more difficult than laptops. The switches are also difficult but with an aftermarket case (the thicker ones), the switches can be mounted much easier.

Or no need to overthink it:

1. Tape on camera
2. If you are really into TinFoil which clearly you are , not that their is anything wrong with that, drop a white noise generator next to the MIC. This is just one way we prevented audible espionage on classified networks.

Or better yet...Secure your edge and you have nothing to really worry about.
Wireshark is your friend in helping you see what is going on and what's paranoia.

originally posted by: opethPA
Or no need to overthink it:

1. Tape on camera
2. If you are really into TinFoil which clearly you are , not that their is anything wrong with that, drop a white noise generator next to the MIC. This is just one way we prevented audible espionage on classified networks.

Or better yet...Secure your edge and you have nothing to really worry about.
Wireshark is your friend in helping you see what is going on and what's paranoia.

So with the story the other member posted about his laptop recording his conversations, you don't think this type of thing happens?

"secure your edge" - do you really work in tech, or do you just watch youtube videos and pick up buzzwords? Don't know I've ever heard someone say that outside of trendy YT or promotional videos - and most of those people have no clue what they are talking about. These are the same people who said smart phones can't spy on you and laptop camera's couldnt' be hijacked.. I'll stick with my experience and knowledge base from real world work when it comes to them..

Talk about over-thinking it, you think a white noise generator and running wireshark or TCPdump is less work than putting in a switch or two? I guess it's all perspective, I would go with a switch personally. I think a .8mm hole and mount the switch right below it and then use a mechanical pencil (yes people still use them!) or paperclip allows it to be switched and it wouldn't change the look of the laptop. I could also install a mini LED (those .8mm x .8mm ones) under another hole and have it light when switched on.

This would be a more fun project as well.

Take a standard screwdriver and claw it's eyes and ears off.

Should work,

I like that! My last laptop actually didn't have either now I think about it, it came out just before those started to be installed. I don't have this problem with my desktop, mic/camera are USB, so I just pull the cord.

This whole "can't access disabled devices" BS is just the same as when firewire came out and they told us that DMA wasn't an issue - even though you can copy, access or alter anything in RAM through it, it still isn't fix as far as I know. Lots of machines got hacked that way. All Sony machines came with Firewire and there was a BIG push to make it the standard instead of USB, which would have made every computer 100% unsecureable. There is NO way that wasn't a feature and not a bug, just as the camera/mic's on laptops is the same (yes they have other uses, but they sure pushed to get them in EVERY laptop all at once).

a reply to: DigginFoTroof

Try soldering two reed relays inline with the camera and the microphone. Glue a small piece of steel on the case and use a magnetic to turn the mic and camera on and off. Simple huh ;-)

Cheers - Dave

originally posted by: Flatcoat
You could try disabling them in device manager.

Windows will enable again with the next update.

originally posted by: DigginFoTroof

originally posted by: opethPA
Or no need to overthink it:

1. Tape on camera
2. If you are really into TinFoil which clearly you are , not that their is anything wrong with that, drop a white noise generator next to the MIC. This is just one way we prevented audible espionage on classified networks.

Or better yet...Secure your edge and you have nothing to really worry about.
Wireshark is your friend in helping you see what is going on and what's paranoia.

So with the story the other member posted about his laptop recording his conversations, you don't think this type of thing happens?

"secure your edge" - do you really work in tech, or do you just watch youtube videos and pick up buzzwords? Don't know I've ever heard someone say that outside of trendy YT or promotional videos - and most of those people have no clue what they are talking about. These are the same people who said smart phones can't spy on you and laptop camera's couldnt' be hijacked.. I'll stick with my experience and knowledge base from real world work when it comes to them..

Talk about over-thinking it, you think a white noise generator and running wireshark or TCPdump is less work than putting in a switch or two? I guess it's all perspective, I would go with a switch personally. I think a .8mm hole and mount the switch right below it and then use a mechanical pencil (yes people still use them!) or paperclip allows it to be switched and it wouldn't change the look of the laptop. I could also install a mini LED (those .8mm x .8mm ones) under another hole and have it light when switched on.

This would be a more fun project as well.

LOL!

Alrighty then, you are right..I probably don't work in IT - Tech because reasons. =)
I certainly don't talk about working in Tech as you put it in this thread either: www.abovetopsecret.com...


Have fun being Jack Bauer.

a reply to: DigginFoTroof

mic jack blocker

For the whole family.

a reply to: DigginFoTroof

I'm going to go with the consensus and say macguyver it with some duct tape. Either that or fork out money on new peripherals, my laptop broke but I still can record music via my phone, keyboard and microphone (it ain't pretty) but it does the job.

There is no escape... trying to hide from it just enables the back door channels to watch you even closer.

It cracks me up when people think they are keeping themselves free of surveillance by clicking a few boxes on their PC. The settings being turned off are what is activating the more troubling surveillance aspects.

Privacy on the world wide webs is extinct.

a reply to: DigginFoTroof

About the thick, heavy duct or gorilla tape....any secretly recorded personal sound un authorized?

It goes...."MMMMmmmmmmm. Nm? Mmmmmm, mmmmm, Nnnnn"

originally posted by: DigginFoTroof

I saw a member's post about him finding hundreds of hours of audio recordings on his machine after it crashed:

www.abovetopsecret.com...

I have a new laptop which I'm not crazy about having a camera & microphone (it's running windows, my other laptops had mic & camera but ran a better OS that I trusted). I was trying to figure out the best way to control the ability of the microphone to record, and the camera I guess. I was thinkng of installing a switch inline with a lead of the microphone and maybe one on a wire from the camera. I'd be able to switch the peripherals on and off and when they were off, the computer shouldn't be able to see the camera or mic.

Has anyone seen this done on a laptop before? I think I can fit some small switches (probably not digital - I'd use mechanical slide or button) on the top or side without issue.

For those who will say "disable it in the control panel", that's not going to work. They seem to be able to be re-enabled "remotely", just like wifi, bluetooth and webcams...

Buy a good soldering iron, then four steps

1. Disable the devices on windows
2. Open the laptop's bottom so it shows the components
3. Do your magic and remove the camera and mic
4. Close up the laptop and restart.. Possible danger gone

a reply to: DigginFoTroof

Funny.. people who work in IT think this is all mental. But one person who forgot he had some audio recordings, posts, and it's PROOF PROOF that we're being spied on. All those hours, and... welp, nothing came of it. They must be scratching their heads back at HQ...

"Boss, he's just talking to his dogs again. I don't think we really need to...."
"YOU ARE NOT PAID TO THINK. HE WILL SLIP UP ONE DAY, THEN WE HAVE HIM. GET BACK TO WORK!!!"

Besides, doesn't matter if you take the motherboard out, remove all external devices, and put it in a lead lined suitcase with just the lcd screen dangling from the top... the fridge already told the washing machine to tell the FBI all about the things you're getting up to.