In the 'always on' modern age, it should come as no surprise that your computer's webcam might be on too, only without your knowledge. According to Engadget, this issue is so widespread that even the former director of the FBI, James Comey, recommended that everyone cover their webcams with tape in order to prevent being spied upon unaware. It might be easy to dismiss the comment as paranoid, but other people such as high-profile Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has also been seen taping his laptop's camera and microphone.
There are many ways for a webcam's security to be compromised and Make Use Of explains that one of the easiest is to use Remote Administration Tools (RATs) to take control of an entire system. These tools weren't created to cause mayhem, but rather to track stolen machines and perform technical support from a remote location. By installing these programs on unwitting users through email attachments, nefarious websites, and other methods, however, hackers can gain full access to an entire computer while leaving no trace.
To make matters worse, some hackers have discovered that they don't have to do much at all to gain access to various webcams that have faulty or buggy software. In recent history, cameras used in home security and baby monitors have merely required a remote user to know the public IP address of the camera to gain control without even having to input a password. With this in mind, it is important to research any security cameras you're thinking of purchasing to look for any inherent flaws or weaknesses that could be exploited.
Fortunately, there are things a user can do to avoid being spied on through their devices. In addition to covering the camera, be sure to use a reliable antivirus scanner at all times and keep it up to date. Keeping operating systems, browsers, and other general software up to date is also crucial so that hackers can't gain access through unpatched vulnerabilities. As always, avoid clicking any links that you aren't entirely sure are legitimate and be wary of any email attachments that you weren't expecting.