Women and Gen Y Users Among Least Aware
About 1 of every 2 laptop users in a recent study said they were unaware of the latest trend in cybercrime – webcam hacking. According to the findings, 51% of laptop users did not know it was possible for a hacker to remotely access and turn on webcams – allowing cybercriminals to secretly watch and record unsuspecting victims.
More than 6 in 10 women were unaware of the risk, compared to 40% of men. Additionally, 57% of Generation Y study participants were unaware. Dr. Ruby A. Rouse, who conducted the study on behalf of the CamPatch Academy, said, "It is alarming that high numbers of women (who are the primary caregivers of children) and young people (who spend a significant amount of time using their laptops) do not know their webcams can be easily hacked."
"Experienced hackers can access a webcam in less than a minute and can even turn off the light which shows the webcam is on…" said Parham Eftekhari, President and Founder of CamPatch Webcam Covers. "Webcam hackers are the 'Peeping Toms' of today, and this problem is only going to get worse."
According to the study's findings, 62% of laptop owners use their machines in their living rooms; 44% in their bedrooms; and 39% in their kitchen. "With webcam-enabled devices increasingly used in private settings," Rouse said, "hackers have limitless opportunities for cybercrime."
The study's conclusions suggest users of webcam technology:
- Get Covered– Cover your webcam with webcam covers like CamPatch or some masking tape.
- Keep Informed– Learn more about webcam hacking to better understand the risks.
- Stay Alert– Watch your webcam light so you know it's been activated, and diligently maintain virus protection software.
The study was sponsored by the CamPatch Academy, the philanthropic arm of CamPatch that provides information about webcam risks as well as tools and techniques about how people can protect themselves, and Organizational Troubleshooter, LLC, a business consulting and research firm that works with organizations to improve their performance.
CamPatch manufactures and sells high quality, reusable webcam covers. Customers can choose from a selection of CamPatch designs while organizations can custom brand CamPatch for marketing and promotional use.
Contacts:
CamPatch
Parham Eftekhari, 773-517-8534
parham@campatch.com