Re:Research shows how MacBook Webcams can spy on their users...
by adsr on Thursday December 19, 2013 @09:50AM
(#6934915)
The same thing is possible on OS X with kextload/unload and kextutil. Moving the extension to a "disabled" folder and so on, and you have a camera without a driver.
I would say that it's still notable even if it relies on root access, since it's been previously believed that this was not possible with software at all.
Jesus Christ, guys. Do you use Linux?
Just blacklist the webcam module to preventing it from loading whenever the system boots. Want to use the webcam? Load the module manually.
# modprobe uvcvideo
Want to unload the camera again? Easy.
# modprobe -r uvcvideo
Generally, it's the uvcvideo module, but it might change from system to system.
A malicious code would need root access to your system to load/unload the webcam module. If someone has root access to your computer/to execute code in your computer, you're in MUCH, much deeper shit than if you let someone film you. Seriously. Specially if you use your computer for money transactions or talk about important stuff to people.