Camera hacking, also known as “camfecting,” is one of the most common cybersecurity threats today, NordVPN said in a press release on Monday.
According to the popular VPN provider, cybercriminals hack victims’ cameras and secretly record videos to blackmail them. While camfecting often leads to sextortion, the threat extends beyond blackmail.
The “same malware that allows cybercriminals to access your camera, also can provide access to your personal files, messages, and browsing history,” Adrianus Warmenhoven, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, said. Access to this data can allow hackers to carry out identity theft and other criminal schemes.
‘A Camfecting Attack is not Hard to Perform’
According to NordVPN, hackers use remote-control malware for camfecting attacks. Threat actors use various techniques, including email phishing, to get this malware on victims’ devices. Hackers can also spread remote-control malware by getting targets to visit malicious sites or download infected files, Warmenhoven explained.
Once the malware is installed, it gives the attacker control over the device’s camera, allowing them to record videos of the user secretly. While there are some telltale signs of a camfecting attack — like a blinking camera indicator light or a fast-draining battery — it’s not so obvious sometimes.
“Putting a piece of tape or a camcover over your device’s camera is perhaps the easiest and most reliable way to prevent someone from watching you through your computer camera and improve your home security. However, by putting this physical blocker in place you simply restrict the attacker’s view, but don’t solve the actual issue,” Warmenhoven said.
The threat of online tracking extends beyond hacked cameras. Cybercriminals can hack victims’ microphones and listen to their conversations. Hackers can also use remote access trojans (RAT) to access sensitive files and other data on a targeted device.
A study by NordVPN, involving 7800 people from eight countries, revealed that over 60 percent of people are concerned about criminals tracking their online activities.
Preventing Camfecting Attacks
To protect against camfecting attacks, NordVPN recommends enabling your device’s firewall, using a reliable antivirus program, and staying safe on public Wi-Fi by using a VPN.
