Many people understand that they need to try to protect their computer from malware. However, many people aren’t very diligent about it, because they don’t understand the risks. One of the risks many people aren’t aware of is that hackers can gain access to their webcams. Young women need to be particularly careful, because they are common targets of sextortion.

How Can Hackers Access Your Webcam?

Many people don’t even realize that they have a webcam built into their computer. They are totally oblivious to the fact that hackers could gain access to it and videotape their every move.

Hackers use Remote Access Technology (RAT) to take over their webcams. There are a number of RAT programs on the market. Blackshades is one of the most popular. This program has been sold to tens of thousands of people in over 100 different countries. The FBI reports that approximately 700,000 people have had their webcams hacked by someone with the tool.

One of the victims was Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf. A former classmate of Wolf’s, Jared James Abrahams, hacked into her computer to take explicit images without her knowledge. Abrahams attempted to blackmail Wolf for more pictures, but was eventually arrested by the FBI.

The founders of Blackshades were recently arrested, but many hackers still have access to the software. There are other RAT programs that hackers can use to hack webcams. The threat won’t be going away anytime soon, so you will need to know how to identify and remove RAT malware.

Getting Rid of RAT Malware

There are a number of steps that you can take to remove RAT programs and other forms of malware. You can learn more about the problem in the post Is There a RAT in Your Mac? How to Identify and Fix the Problem! at TechPatio. Here are some things that you will want to try:

• Use a good Firewall to keep potential intruders from accessing your machine.
• Disconnect your computer from the Internet when it isn’t in use.
• Do not click suspicious links in emails, forums or other websites.
• Update your malware protection software regularly.
• Scan your hard drive for suspicious files. The FBI has published a list of files that are used with Blackshades and other suspicious programs.
• Reboot your machine after identifying a RAT. This will sever the connection, especially with MAC machines.
• Consider covering your webcam when it isn’t in use.

There are a number of things that you can do to protect your computer from RAT hackers. Make sure that you are diligent about doing so.