Malware can turn off webcam LED and record video, demonstrated on ThinkPad X230

Re:Malware can turn off webcam LED and record video, demonst... by Qem on Thursday November 28, 2024 @11:38AM (#42266625)

Just a personal anecdote: I don't have a dog, but my grandma has two. Once, while visiting her, the dogs were barking a lot. Almost immediately I started receiving ads for dog food in my cellphone.

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Re:Malware can turn off webcam LED and record video, demonst... by sandywaffles on Thursday November 28, 2024 @11:50AM (#42266713)

It is more likely your GPS placed you in the vicinity (regularly?) with another AD ID that regularly searches for, purchases, or visits dog centric locations. It's also entirely possible that the other AD ID's (your grandma) dog food schedule is predictable and you happen to be visiting within a time frame of dog food purchases.

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Re:Malware can turn off webcam LED and record video, demonst... by Qem on Thursday November 28, 2024 @11:59AM (#42266795)

My grandma never owned a cellphone, only an old landline. And she buys dogfood in the neighborhood mom & pop store.

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Re:Malware can turn off webcam LED and record video, demonst... by xvector on Thursday November 28, 2024 @01:13PM (#42267401)

Well, we know for a fact it wasn't your mic being recorded. Maybe you walked by WiFi networks where people purchase dog food.

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Re:Malware can turn off webcam LED and record video, demonst... by chipsrafferty on Monday December 02, 2024 @09:17PM (#42302449)

Or maybe the mic IS being recorded. We don't know it for a fact until all phone software is open sourced.

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