Just when you thought the world of tech couldn’t get any more unsafe comes a new and shocking finding by security experts from Xairy.
A leading tech engineer says he’s found a new means by which hackers can gain access to the software in webcams. This means it could turn on without using any LED.
The leading Linus security engineer published a new tool that gains software control on laptops like ThinkPad X230. This particular laptop model is nearly 10 years old and its code sparked a major online debate related to Hacker News.
It was found that the camera was plugged over USB connectors based on a specific camera controller. Moreover, other laptops arising from the year 2012 were also using such controllers. It can store firmware and LED is linked to pins. This is where controllers enable or disable LEDs through independent means.
After going through several laptops, the engineer was able to create and flash certain firmware. Many of the LEDs are found on several webcams and are under control through software and firmware.
This led to Lenovo breaking its silence on the matter. It says that this might be the case with older models but newer ones feature image processors entailing digital signature checks with support secure updates.
While having camera indicator LEDs built inside, not every webcam works in this manner. A lot of suggestions were added in detail by the engineer on how the entire process of hacking works and how taping webcams out of fear does have some logic in terms of why it’s happening.
Many other experts had their say on the matter and how Macbooks and other modern PCs have more robust hardware-based solutions. This ensures that the LED always remains open when the camera is being used.
However, many argued that they would much rather prefer physical hardware switches or covers designed to disguise cameras and microphones. This bypasses all software-dependent indicators.
Image: DIW-Aigen
Read next: Tor Project Rolls Out Urgent Calls To Privacy Community for WebTunnel Bridges That Fight Censorship
A leading tech engineer says he’s found a new means by which hackers can gain access to the software in webcams. This means it could turn on without using any LED.
The leading Linus security engineer published a new tool that gains software control on laptops like ThinkPad X230. This particular laptop model is nearly 10 years old and its code sparked a major online debate related to Hacker News.
It was found that the camera was plugged over USB connectors based on a specific camera controller. Moreover, other laptops arising from the year 2012 were also using such controllers. It can store firmware and LED is linked to pins. This is where controllers enable or disable LEDs through independent means.
After going through several laptops, the engineer was able to create and flash certain firmware. Many of the LEDs are found on several webcams and are under control through software and firmware.
This led to Lenovo breaking its silence on the matter. It says that this might be the case with older models but newer ones feature image processors entailing digital signature checks with support secure updates.
While having camera indicator LEDs built inside, not every webcam works in this manner. A lot of suggestions were added in detail by the engineer on how the entire process of hacking works and how taping webcams out of fear does have some logic in terms of why it’s happening.
Many other experts had their say on the matter and how Macbooks and other modern PCs have more robust hardware-based solutions. This ensures that the LED always remains open when the camera is being used.
However, many argued that they would much rather prefer physical hardware switches or covers designed to disguise cameras and microphones. This bypasses all software-dependent indicators.
Read next: Tor Project Rolls Out Urgent Calls To Privacy Community for WebTunnel Bridges That Fight Censorship
