Webcam spying goes mainstream as Miss TEEN USA describes hack

Webcam hacking has officially gone mainstream with yesterday's revelation that the new Miss Teen USA, Cassidy Wolf, was the victim of a "sextortion" plot in which someone slipped Remote Administration Tool (RAT) software onto her computer and used it to snap (apparently nude) pictures of Wolf in her room. "I wasn’t aware that somebody was watching me (on my webcam)," she told The Today Show. "The light (on the camera) didn’t even go on, so I had no idea."

Wolf said that the hacker tried to extort her, threatening to release the pictures publicly if she didn't follow his demands. The FBI has admitted that it is investigating the case and eventually said that it has identified a suspect.

The story itself isn't remarkable—indeed, earlier this year I documented an entire community of RAT users who gather to share tips and pictures of the "slaves" whose machines they have infected—but these kinds of sextortion plots have to date been covered largely in the tech press and in local papers. (Though GQ ran a fine story on sextortionist Luis Mijangos in early 2012 that's well worth a read). Wolf has now taken the story onto the morning TV talk shows, and her interviewers appear to be amazed that such hacks are even possible.

In doing interviews this week for my new book, The Internet Police, many of the questions have focused on sextortion and the use of RAT software. These hacks are such a profound privacy violation—accessing webcams, microphones, and stored files provides the attacker with almost unfettered access to one's private life, thoughts, documents, even conversations—that they routinely generate amazement in interlocutors. As one TV host put it after hearing Wolf's story this week, "Just—wow, that is creepy... Can you believe that?" Or, as a Jezebel writer put it today, "webcam hacking—WHICH I CANNOT BELIEVE IS A REAL THING OH MY GOD."

Stolen webcam video of females cost $1 per "slave," as they're called. Stolen video of male slaves goes for $1/100 slaves.

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Webcam Hacking leads to Ransomeware

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, a #ransomware virus implemented by cyber criminals allows hackers to find users accessing adult websites, activate their #webcams, lock their desktops, send them an "incriminating" photo of themselves, warn the “mass debater” that they have broken federal laws "relating to child pornography, copyright or privacy" and demand they pay a fine between $100-199 with a credit card. The added threat of not paying the clearly bogus fine within 72 hours is that hackers then either encrypt or wipe data from the users' computer. I'm not sure what's frightening: knowing that a stranger has hacked your webcam, or plainly seeing a picture of yourself romancing your right hand? Hm. I'll take neither.

#AFP cybercrime operations manager Commander Glen McEwan has issued several warnings about ransomware, which has evolved over the past six months to evade detection by some anti-virus software, spam filters and firewalls.

''The Australian community is reminded that the AFP does not solicit funds and this message is not associated with the AFP in any way,'' Commander McEwan said. He urged victims to report any cyber fraud to the #ACCC website SCAMwatch.

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Hacking Your TV to Spy on You

In the wake of revelations about the NSA's domestic surveillance programs, some observers expressed concern that the agency could compel Microsoft to use the camera attached to the new Xbox One to spy on users in their living rooms. But it turns out you don't need to be a government spook to watch people through their TVs. At last month's Black Hat security conference, researchers showed vulnerabilities in Samsung "Smart" TVs (which have Internet connectivity, webcams and other computers-like features) that could allow a hacker to take control of the television. And on Sunday, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for security standards to make sure that hackers couldn't use the built-in webcams to watch you while you watch TV.

So if you don't want hackers watching you sit on the couch in your underwear, take the advice that the Black Hat researchers gave Mashable: "Use C-SLIDE Webcam Covers"

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Don’t be the next victim.  Protect yourself now with a webcam cover by C-SLIDE.  

Hacking Your Phone Through a Charger

If you've ever been stuck in an airport with your phone battery reading 10 percent, the sight of a charger plugged into a wall can look like an oasis in a desert. But wait! Is that really a charger?

Not necessarily. Another demonstration at Black Hat showed an iPhone charger that was actually a micro-computer in disguise.

Plug in your iPhone and the tiny computer could upload a fake Facebook app that looks like the real thing but is capable of accessing your contacts and stealing your passwords, among other mayhem.

Apple has promised to fix the vulnerability -- but not until its next operating system, iOS 7, comes out sometime this fall. In the meantime, be wary of any chargers you see lying around.

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Don’t be the next victim.  Protect yourself now with a webcam cover by C-SLIDE.  

Pedophile computer expert spied on hundreds by hacking neighbors’ Wi-FI

T

he 34-year-od is accuse of recording thousands of  hours of intimate material.  The pedophile computer expert spied on hundreds of his neighbors by hacking into their wi-fi and taking control of their webcams.

He took numerous sexual encounters of unsuspecting victims and posted them to the internet.  Read more

Don't be the next victim!  Protect yourself now with a Webcam Cover by C-SLIDE. 

Chuck Schumer wants to stop Smart TV Webcam Spying

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York is calling on major television manufacturers to come up with a uniform standard of security to be used in all new internet and video-enabled televisions that would prevent hackers from spying on consumers.

The new so-called “smart TV’s” feature embedded cameras and microphones like the ones found in new laptop and netbook computers. The sets are sold in stores as “internet ready,” and the devices they contain are capable of being remotely activated.  Therefore, as Schumer says, your TV may be watching YOU!

Schumer wants manufacturers to establish a uniform security standard that would be followed industry-wide. The average consumer is unaware that computer-networked appliances can be hacked. Security researchers found one brand to be particularly vulnerable: they were able to hijack the set's web browser in certain models of Samsung Smart TVs and use it to turn on the built-in-camera.

Greg McNeal is a law professor at Pepperdine University in California. He warns civil liberties may be violated if police or government officials use your TV to  pry into your private life. McNeal uses old-school technology to thwart electronic peeping toms: he puts a piece of tape over the camera on his laptop when he's not on Skype.

Schumer argues the burden shouldn't be on the consumer to use tape or a sticker like McNeal does, nor should set owners follow one manufacturer’s suggestion that to combat hackers, the TV should be unplugged when not in use.

Don’t be the next victim.  Protect yourself now with a webcam cover by C-SLIDE.  

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Babycam Hacking Horror

A sleeping 2 year old girl was spied on by a sicko in Houston, TX.  Marc and Lauren Gilbert heard the voice of the man spying on their child through the baby monitor while he called her by name and also called her a slut.  Upon hearing this Marc ripped the camera from the wall and through the device away.  Marc said his job is to protect his child from sicko's and was surprised by what was happening.

To read the full story please click here.

Don't be the next victim!  Protect yourself now with a Webcam Cover by C-SLIDE. 

CNN Money Reports on Samsung Smart TV Webcam Hacking

http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/security/2013/08/01/t-tv-is-watching-you.cnnmoney

CNN’s Laurie Segall recently did a report on the Samsung Smart TV demonstrating how easy it is to hack the webam.  Since the Smart TV really is a computer it now has all the weaknesses of any computer.  There are software programs out there that have been specifically designed to hack the Smart TV which Josh Yavor a Security Engineer from ISEC Partners demonstrates.   Aaron Grattofiori a Principal Security Consultant points out that there are NO LED that turn on to let you know the camera is on or off. 

Now Josh suggested that you place tape over the camera lens but would you do that to your video camera?  It leaves a mess behind thus making the camera useless in the future when you need it.  Simply buy a C-SLIDE designed for all webcams.

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