Do you tape/cover your webcam?

[Xiahou]

I'm curious as to how many people actually do this.

I'll be upfront with you in saying I think this is just stupid and it frightens me that people who are in IT security think this is a good idea. I wouldn't call myself an IT security expert, but I am fairly security conscious and I think that if you're putting tape over your camera, you're missing the point completely.

Turn on your webcam once and look at yourself as you use your computer. What do you see? Your face staring squinty-eyed at your laptop- oh noes, they might be able to see your facial expressions! Be less worried about that, than the fact that someone may have so completely owned your computer that they have to ability to turn on your camera and watch you remotely. Your real "dirt" isn't on your webcam- it's on the PC itself. If they get your bank account information from your PC, then you've got a real problem- and it's one that a piece of tape won't fix.

In short, if they can control your webcam, you've already had information about yourself exposed that's worse than anything they're likely to see. Be security aware, and keep hackers out of your PC to begin with.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Mine's a separate peripheral, but when I'm not using it I turn it around so it's facing the wall/wires/etc. It's not an exact comparison but it's probably in the same "spirit" as putting a piece of tape over it.

The rational part of me realizes that this doesn't do much especially per your main point, but then again it's essentially zero effort on my end so no harm done.

[Beskar]

Actually, there is a lot of money being made out of blackmail. Such as getting Arabian looking individuals doing naughty things infront of their webcam, and saying they will upload it to their friends and family unless they pay thousands. Because there is such a big taboo and shame culture, they pay out.

Though this is usually obtained by having a 'sexy girl' skype calling them, and getting the blackmail material that way.

[Xiahou]

Though this is usually obtained by having a 'sexy girl' skype calling them, and getting the blackmail material that way.

Right! No hacking needed if you willingly engage in video sex chats- though I suspect that's what feeds many of the webcam hacking stories.

Interesting results- I'm the only respondent who doesn't cover their webcam thus far.

[Gregoshi]

There, I put in a "no" so you don't feel so lonely. I don't use my laptop so much anymore, but when I did, I used it as a desktop - lid closed and connected to a keyboard and monitor. However, when I did use it as laptop, I did not tape the webcam.

[drone]

The webcam is an issue for physical security. Same as the cheap nanny cams so many people install in their homes with no thought to the consequences.

[Husar]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...py-on-children

Germany’s telecommunications watchdog has ordered parents to destroy or disable a “smart doll” because the toy can be used to illegally spy on children.

The My Friend Cayla doll, which is manufactured by the US company Genesis Toys and distributed in Europe by Guildford-based Vivid Toy Group, allows children to access the internet via speech recognition software, and to control the toy via an app.

But Germany’s Federal Network Agency announced this week that it classified Cayla as an “illegal espionage apparatus”. As a result, retailers and owners could face fines if they continue to stock it or fail to permanently disable the doll’s wireless connection.

As for normal webcams, I'd be more afraid of those encrypting blackmail trojans.
If someone has that level of access to my computer, I can think of far worse they could do than make a video of me in whatever situation.

Oh wait, that's what master X already said, been a while since I read the OP.
I mean, I agree with him!