Beware of hackers monitoring you through your PC's webcam

[ChiefKiasu]

insider:

...

There's a 'coughing sound' hidden in my system.

This sound will appear very randomly.

Sometimes a few hours it sounds and sometimes can be a few days.

I tried to scan for this whatever and never successful.

How to erase this huh other than reformatting my whole system?

PS:
Can be sometimes quite startling at night when I work half way then this matured man 'cough! cough' comes along. My friend was joking with me \"Are you sure the sound is from your system?\"

I've never heard a \"cough! cough!\" from my computers. Could it be an audio sound assigned to some MS Windows actions/notifications? You may want to go through the list of sounds assigned to various activities in Windows to see if you find that sound.

[limlim]

insider, could it be some instant messaging apps running on your computer? like QQ, MSN messager, ICQ or the like? whenever there is a system broadcast message or someone send you a msg, it will make some sound.


Mebbe you didn’t install it, but someone else does it or you install by accidents on visiting some websites?

[insider]

Chief and limlim


Thanks for the advice but errr…I don’t know how to comb for those ‘sound’ items in my system.

Basically my system is quite ‘clean’ one coz I am quite ‘moron’ in IT and so veli scared of virus. So the websites I enter are generally safe kinds.

I got my son to take a look to try to find the ‘sound items’ but he also can’t figure it out.

Who will use a matured man ‘cough cough’ sound as a ‘signal’ for incoming notice huh? The only social media that I use is Skype and nothing else. I dont even have Facebook, MSN, and whatnots. My Skype sound is the ‘ding ding ding’ one veli pleasant. That ‘cough cough’ sound is quite ‘eerie’…

PS:
Tried to comb internet for a solution. Then saw the search results with mainly ‘cough syrup’ etc and so gave up…

[iRabbit]

ChiefKiasu:

dasalo:

Can I just put a sticker over the webcam and does that solve everything?

Low tech, but very effective

Don't forget to cover the mic too.

The other option is to wear a mask every time you use the computer. :siam:

[MR06]

insider:

I very dinosaur wan coz of dont have and dont make use of many modern gadgets, incl webcams (not even when my daughter is in UK. I only webcam with her ONCE so far via my son's laptop). Basically a follower of 'Simple Life' and so resist 'burdens'.


Maybe some of you can help me with a strange whatever in my system.

There's a 'coughing sound' hidden in my system.

This sound will appear very randomly.

Sometimes a few hours it sounds and sometimes can be a few days.

I tried to scan for this whatever and never successful.

How to erase this huh other than reformatting my whole system?

PS:
Can be sometimes quite startling at night when I work half way then this matured man 'cough! cough' comes along. My friend was joking with me \"Are you sure the sound is from your system?\"

You very spiritual, generous with analysis and giving advices. Maybe someone from another realm needs your help and trying to connect with you? :nailbite: :siam:

[limlim]

Oh ya… I missed out skype when talking about messaging Apps…


I forgot whether it is Skype or some other App but IIRC there’s one using man cough cough sound… mebbe ask you to top up credit or updates kind of thing… but I may be wrong thou… mebbe you can try uninstall skype and check if problem persist?

[AC_Power]

For me, I would just fold down the screen of my lappy whenever I am done with it. So there is no way it can capture anything that happens inside my room.

[Gooby]

insider:

Chief and limlim


Thanks for the advice but errr....I don't know how to comb for those 'sound' items in my system.

Basically my system is quite 'clean' one coz I am quite 'moron' in IT and so veli scared of virus. So the websites I enter are generally safe kinds.

I got my son to take a look to try to find the 'sound items' but he also can't figure it out.

Who will use a matured man 'cough cough' sound as a 'signal' for incoming notice huh? The only social media that I use is Skype and nothing else. I dont even have Facebook, MSN, and whatnots. My Skype sound is the 'ding ding ding' one veli pleasant. That 'cough cough' sound is quite 'eerie'...

PS:
Tried to comb internet for a solution. Then saw the search results with mainly 'cough syrup' etc and so gave up...

the moment you mention cough cough sound what comes to mind is ICQ or Skype. Then you mention after checking thoruoghly also cannot find anything, sound so weird and scary leh....

[SBKS]

safe sites are not safe at all…that is once they are compromised. But how many know they are?


so we still need protection for our com and mobiles.

Com - there are a bunch of free Antiviruses and anti malware kits.
Mobile - there are also a bunch that is free as well.

with the recent report from Mandiant on the hacking and monitoring of documents, some of the sites are nt even aware of it till reported in the report.

so better be safe than sorry.

[Dandelion_Ivory]

best to be careful when installing stuff as some software comes with malware which can cause security breaches