Derived from the combination of the words “camera” and “infecting”, camfecting is the process by which a hacker can access a person’s webcam without their permission. The webcam is therefore controlled remotely by a third party and can be turned on to see what is happening behind the hacked screen. When this is the case, sometimes the light indicating that the webcam is turned on will activate. The camfecter is able to take control of their victim’s camera by sending them a computer virus beforehand. Note that computers can be targeted, but so can smartphones and electronic tablets.
Some recommended ways to protect yourself from camfecting are: having an up-to-date antivirus program, limiting the applications that have access to the camera, turning off devices when they are not in use, and using a camera cover.