Myth or Fact: Your laptop's camera can be hacked

We’ve been repairing computers for over 20 years. You might be surprised to hear that about 2 out of every 10 laptops we receive daily for repair have their camera covered — with a sticker, tape, or whatever was on hand.

The question “why do you cover your camera?” almost always gets the same answer: fear that someone is watching without their knowledge.

How justified is that fear?

Yes, it’s technically possible for someone to gain access to your camera — but not the way it’s shown in movies (one click and you’re “in” on a CIA server). In reality, this happens almost exclusively when a device has already been infected with malware, or when someone has specifically targeted you and installed something on your device.

What actually helps

• An up-to-date antivirus and careful browsing habits cover most of the risk.
• If you want extra peace of mind, the camera can be properly disabled from the BIOS or from device management (Windows/macOS) — not just covered up.
• There are also neat, purpose-made camera covers on the market if you prefer a simpler solution.

The concern is understandable, but the fix doesn’t have to be a makeshift sticker — a proper setting or a well-made cover does exactly the same job, without sacrificing how your device looks.