Here's Why We Should All Copy Mark Zuckerberg And Cover Our Webcams
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If Mark Zuckerberg does something, it usually means it's a good idea. He's a clever guy, you know.
So when a picture of him celebrating Instagram having 500 million users went online yesterday, it came as no surprise that there was a furore about his work laptop.
On it, you can see Zuckerberg covering his webcam, probably to protect himself from online security threats.
Given the Facebook CEO and founder dabbled in some light hacking before he became a social media mogul, does that mean he knows something we don't and we should all be covering up our webcams?
Well, Mashable journalist Kellen Beck did a little digging to find out whether we should be covering our webcams and, as it turns out, Zuckerberg is right yet again.
Apparently there are two types of webcam, internet-connected webcams and computer-connected webcams.
Internet-connected ones are pretty shite for security. As they have their own IP address, it means that it can be connected to from anywhere in the world. You're supposed to protect your webcam with a password but unfortunately barely any one does and so hackers find it very easy to access random people's internet-connected webcams.
In 2014, there were apparently 73,000 webcams worldwide that could be accessed by putting in a default password.
Computer-connected webcams are way harder for hackers to get into but it is still possible. Apparently hackers need to use malware to gain access, so when you download a dodgy file, it could contain executable code that will turn on your webcam.
It's all very complicated, and I'll be honest, I can barely use Skype let alone understand this hacking malarkey so if you want to know more, I suggest reading Beck's full run down on cyber-security here.
My only advice is...if Zuckerberg's doing it then we should too.
Words George Pavlou
Featured image credit: David Burillo via Flickr
Topics: Mark Zuckerberg
