Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg may have just unwillingly unveiled some of his privacy protection techniques in a recent image celebrating the 500 million user milestone for Instagram.
In the photo, it is quite evident that Zuckerberg placed tape over his Macbook’s webcam and jack microphone. Plus, he doesn’t use Microsoft’s Outlook as an email client but Mozilla’s Thunderbird.
Cyber security experts explained that the Facebook CEO is far from paranoid. In fact, hackers can take over a computer so they are able to “see” through its webcam and “hear” through the microphone everything you do or say.
Experts recommend Zuck’s tactics as a Security 101 against hackers.
Yet some netizens suggested that the laptop might not be his which is highly unlikely since Zuckerberg had admitted that he doesn’t usually work in a fancy office but along with his staffers on the floor.
So, if the Macbook is his this means that even the Facebook boss is overly concerned about his privacy.
According to Snowden leaks, the U.K.-based Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) ran a surveillance program dubbed the Optic Nerve which captured the faces of millions of Yahoo chat users through their webcams.
FBI head James Comey admitted earlier this year that he too secures his laptop’s camera with tape. But because Zuckerberg now does it too, Facebook users may become alarmed that the rumors that Facebook may spy on them may be real.
A few weeks ago, Facebook had to dismiss accusations that it eavesdrops on its users’ phone conversations through the microphone to better target advertisements.
Security experts explained that cyber criminals can easily infect a vulnerable system with malware such as trojans which can take control over the computer’s camera, microphone and even keyboard.
Users can protect themselves through anti-virus solutions, firewalls and staying away from suspicious e-mail messages asking them to access a link. Desktop users can also unplug the camera. But laptop users have only tape or stickers on their hands.
You can also buy special stickers from The Electronic Frontier Foundation’s website. The EFF is a non-for-profit group that advocates for digital rights such as privacy and personal freedom on the Internet.
Yet in Macbooks’ case, users should be prompted if their camera is on through a green light. But hackers can bypass that system too, experts caution.
Image Source: Flickr
