Is covering your laptop camera essential for online privacy?

More and more people wonder whether covering the camera on a laptop is necessary or just excessive caution. In the digital age, when we use the internet almost constantly, privacy and data protection have become one of the most discussed topics. There is no shortage of speculations about the possibility of being spied on by cybercriminals or corporations. But should we really be concerned about our safety and decide on physically securing the camera? In this article, we will look at the facts and myths about online privacy and answer the question – does covering the camera really make sense?

Laptop manufacturers understand the problem of unauthorised camera use and try to provide users with appropriate security measures. When the camera is active, it typically informs us with a special LED light, which is especially visible in older laptop models.

Modern operating systems also offer various protections. Notifications often inform you about a specific application's use of the camera. Additionally, we can manage access to the camera through the operating system settings.

In Windows 11, the appropriate settings can be found in the menu: Start -> Settings -> Privacy & security -> Camera. There, we can check which applications can access the camera and manage these permissions.

Nevertheless, some users may still feel uneasy. Fortunately, hardware manufacturers are introducing solutions such as mechanical camera shutters, which physically block the possibility of spying.

Covering the camera with tape or a special cover is a quick and cheap way to add extra privacy protection. However, it's not always recommended. For example, Apple warns against using covers on MacBooks, as they can damage the screen or interfere with sensor operation.

Another issue is the real risk of spying. Cybercriminals sometimes send emails suggesting they have captured compromising recordings from the camera, but these are usually attempts to extort money based on users' fear.

Suppose we are not public figures and do not engage in compromising activities. In that case, the risk of spying is minimal, especially if we have up-to-date software and follow basic online safety principles.

Finally, it's worth noting that smartphones also have cameras, but we rarely decide to cover them, even though we use them for the same purposes as laptops.