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Re:I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers by ibotty on Monday October 26, 2020 @02:43AM (#24893392)
> Edit: 12. My desktop doesn't have a microphone or camera, so they cannot be surreptitiously turned on remotely.

I am pretty sure your computer has a microphone, because it most likely has a speaker.

Re:I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers by anfilt on Monday October 26, 2020 @06:15AM (#24894510)
The speaker is generally hooked up to a pre-amp and that pre-amp to the DAC. The hardware would need to also have an ADC attached to the speaker for that work. So such an attack could only happen if sound-chipset/card integrated into the motherboard also has an ADC sitting on the same analog line as the speaker output.

I have only ever seen the hybrid mic/headphone ports on laptops and not desktop motherboards. They may exist, but I have yet to see one. Although I guess what matter is how the ports are actually wired.

Re:I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers by Spearchucker on Monday October 26, 2020 @06:19AM (#24894527)
Can't speak for OP, but mine certianly doesn't. I know because I assembled it.
Re:I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers by WalterBright on Monday October 26, 2020 @06:52AM (#24894733)
Mine doesn't have a speaker, either. It does have one of those wretched dingers that attach to the SPKR wires.
Re:I am seriously considering going back to desktop computers by ibotty on Monday October 26, 2020 @10:20AM (#24896414)
Sure that can't be used? I don't know what wretched dingers are.