Disable webcam from device manager Mute the microphone
Your laptop has a built-in webcam and you're worried that a hacker will spy on you remotely? Rather than covering the camera lens with a piece of tape, why not just turn off the webcam and the microphone from Windows settings..
Disable webcam from device manager
The webcam and also the microphone of your computer are vulnerable to hacking. This equipment can fall under the control of a hacker. If your computer is infected with a virus, a hacker will be able to listen to and observe everything you do without your knowledge.
Malware spreads very well on the internet. The number of people affected by computer attacks continues to increase. Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook has also published a photo on which we could see that he had stuck a piece of opaque adhesive film on the lens of the camera of his computer..
To avoid being spied on via your webcam, there is a more elegant method than a simple piece of tape. For that you will have to go to the Windows device manager and simply deactivate the microphone and the webcam of your PC. We explain how to do it.
- Go to the home page of your computer
- Right click on the Windows logo
- A context menu will appear
- Click on the device manager section
- You can also press Windows + R keys simultaneously and type in the field open the command devmgmt.msc
- The window will display the list of all devices installed on your PC
- Look for the line called camera
- Click on the arrow to reveal the name of the devices
- Right click on the device with the webcam name
- Click on the deactivate device option in the context menu
- An alert message will ask you to confirm your choice
- Click yes
If the operation was successful you should see a small icon with an arrow pointing down. Because two checks are better, we will now check that your computer's webcam has been deactivated..
- Click on the Windows logo placed in the task bar (on the far left)
- Tap the camera icon
An error message will inform you that the camera on your computer cannot be found or is configured incorrectly. The webcam is now inaccessible for all applications installed on your computer, including malware and other viruses.
To use it again, simply open the device manager and right click on the webcam icon. You will then only have to select the option activate this device to restore your camera to perfect working order.
Mute the microphone
You are afraid that a software could not activate the microphone of your PC remotely. If you never do video conferencing, why leave this feature active on your computer. An attacker could record your conversations without your knowledge.
- Open the device manager
- Click on the audio inputs and outputs section
- Place your mouse over the microphone icon
- Right click
- Select the option deactivate the device
- Confirm your choice by clicking on yes
Your microphone is now deactivated. This solution protects you against the risk of hacking. Hackers who wish to spy on you will have neither sound nor image. Remember to update your PC and the definitions of your antivirus.