Laptop Webcam Privacy in 2025: Do You Really Need a Cover?

Ever get the feeling someone might be watching you through that tiny camera above your laptop screen? It’s not just your imagination. In 2025, concerns about webcam spying are as relevant as ever. Whether you’re a general user or tech-savvy professional, you’ve likely heard advice to “cover your laptop webcam.” But is it necessary, and why do so many people—from everyday users to FBI directors and tech CEOs—insist on doing it?

In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons why you should cover your laptop webcam, the risks (big and small) of leaving it uncovered, and how to do it safely. By the end, you’ll have a clear answer on whether that little piece of tape is worth it.

Key Takeaways:

Webcam hacking is a real threat: Malware can hijack your laptop’s camera to spy on you without your knowledge, even disabling the camera’s indicator light in some cases. This means you could be watched or recorded without any visible sign.
Covering the webcam is an effective defense: Physically blocking the camera (with a cover, tape, or shutter) is the only 100% reliable way to prevent unwanted eyes, since no hacker can bypass a piece of opaque material over the lens. It’s a simple, low-tech solution that instantly shuts out intruders.
Risks of leaving it open are significant: If a hacker captures sensitive or embarrassing footage, it can lead to sextortion (webcam blackmail) or serious privacy breaches. Even ordinary folks have been victims — from a teen beauty queen being blackmailed to strangers spying on home cameras. The content could be used to harass, blackmail, or exploit you.
Experts and the public on the side of caution: Security professionals often cover their cams, and even high-profile figures like FBI Director James Comey and Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg do the same. Surveys show over half of users now physically cover their laptop webcams for peace of mind. Many modern laptops (e.g. HP, Lenovo) even include built-in privacy shutters due to popular demand.
Don’t forget other safety measures: Covering your webcam protects your video, but microphones remain exposed – attackers could still eavesdrop on audio if malware is present. Additionally, practice good cyber hygiene: keep your system and antivirus updated, be cautious with app permissions and phishing links, and consider disabling or unplugging cameras when not in use. Physical cover or not, a holistic security approach is key.

Why People Cover Their Laptop Webcams

The idea of covering your laptop’s webcam took off when people realized how easily those cameras could be abused. If you’ve ever noticed a co-worker or friend with a sticker over their webcam, you’re not alone – in one survey, 6 in 10 Americans said they physically cover their laptop’s camera to feel more secure. But what’s driving this behavior?

Privacy and Peace of Mind: The primary reason is simple – you never truly know who might be on the other end of your camera. Cybercriminals can potentially access your webcam remotely and record you without consent. This practice even has a name: “camfecting,” meaning camera hacking. While it might sound like something from a spy movie, it does happen in real life.

Victims have reported hackers capturing intimate moments and then using the footage for blackmail or harassment. The mere thought is enough to make anyone uncomfortable. In fact, a few years ago a notorious hacker used spyware to watch women through their laptop cameras and threaten them – one victim was so distraught she wouldn’t leave her room for a week. These cases are extreme, but they highlight what’s at stake.

High-Profile Endorsement: Covering your webcam isn’t just for the ultra-paranoid; it’s been endorsed by some very security-conscious folks. Former FBI Director James Comey famously admitted he uses tape to cover his webcams at home, calling it a sensible precaution – the digital equivalent of locking your doors at night. He even noted that in government offices it’s standard practice to have covers on webcams so that “people who don’t have authority don’t look at you”.

Similarly, Mark Zuckerberg (CEO of Facebook) was spotted with a piece of tape over his laptop’s camera and microphone in a photo he shared, revealing that even a tech billionaire values this simple line of defense. When you see the head of the FBI and the CEO of Facebook both covering their cameras, it sends a clear message: it’s not overkill or paranoia – it’s common sense.

General Awareness: Public awareness of webcam risks has grown immensely. Media stories and even TV shows have highlighted scenarios of webcam spying, making people more cautious. One tech survey found that nearly 80% of people know their laptop camera could be compromised, and a majority feel uncomfortable leaving the camera uncovered, especially during private moments (unsurprisingly). Rather than “put life on hold,” as HP’s 2019 privacy report phrased it, many choose to simply cover the camera when not in use. It’s a quick fix that lets you be yourself in front of your computer without that nagging worry.

“Why would anyone watch me?” You might be thinking your daily life is too boring to attract a hacker’s attention. Security experts actually agree that hackers aren’t likely to watch your every mundane move just for entertainment. They’re not sitting there with popcorn observing you fold laundry. However, it’s not about being interesting – it’s about opportunity. Malware can automatically snoop and capture data (including camera feeds) without a human actively monitoring every second.

Often, the goal is to collect anything that could be valuable or damaging later. And as soon as you do something private or revealing, that footage suddenly becomes very interesting to a bad actor. In short, it only takes one sensitive moment to cause trouble. Considering the potential impact (embarrassment, extortion, privacy invasion), covering the webcam whenever you’re not using it starts to look like a very reasonable habit for both general users and tech-savvy readers alike.

Understanding the Webcam Hacking Threat in 2025

So how realistic is the threat of someone hijacking your webcam in 2025? Unfortunately, it’s quite real – though the methods have evolved over time. Here’s what you need to know about how hackers can access your webcam and how big the risk really is:

Malware and Remote Access: The most common way attackers spy through webcams is by using malware, such as a remote access trojan (RAT). This is malicious software unknowingly installed on your system (often via phishing emails or dodgy downloads) that gives the hacker control over your computer, including its camera. Once a RAT or similar malware is in place, it can activate your webcam, record video, and send it back to the attacker – all without your permission. If that weren’t scary enough, sophisticated malware can often disable the camera’s indicator light that normally shows when it’s active.

In other words, the little green or white LED that’s meant to alert you can’t always be trusted; clever intruders may turn it off while recording you, so you’d have no idea it’s happening. Security research confirms this: tools to hack webcams (and override the light) circulate on the internet, sometimes freely. Simply put, if your device gets infected, a hacker could be watching through your camera at this very moment and you wouldn’t know.

Exploiting Software Flaws: Another angle attackers use is exploiting vulnerabilities in your system or apps. Outdated operating systems or unpatched software are a big door for hackers. Updates often include security fixes; if you skip them, you leave known holes open. Hackers can use those to slip in and access things like your webcam. Likewise, every time you grant an application permission to use the camera (think video chat apps, meeting software, etc.), you’re placing trust in that app’s security.

A poorly secured app or a malicious app disguised as legitimate could abuse that access. For example, a rogue browser extension or a fake “video conferencing plugin” might turn on your camera when you don’t expect. It’s a bit unsettling, but necessary to remember: any software that can use your webcam could be a potential route for abuse, especially if it’s from an unknown source. Always be selective and review which apps have that privilege.

Who Are the Attackers? The motivations vary. Many webcam breaches are done by cybercriminals looking for financial gain – for instance, recording something private and then extorting the victim (a crime known as sextortion). Others might be voyeurs or stalkers targeting individuals (sadly, numerous cases exist of ex-partners or predators doing this). There have also been instances of organized hackers sharing captured webcam images on forums for bragging rights. On a larger scale, state-sponsored spyware has targeted activists and journalists via their device cameras, though that’s not something the average person typically faces.

Even employers have tools to activate employee webcams in some situations (e.g. company-issued laptops). While companies claim not to spy without cause, a dishonest insider could abuse such access. The bottom line: the threat is broad – from random malware authors to people you might even know – and that’s why security pros treat webcam security seriously.

2025 Landscape – Better Security, But Still Vulnerable: The good news is that device manufacturers have stepped up privacy protections in recent years. Modern laptops often wire the webcam’s power to its indicator LED, so it’s hardware-locked to light up when the camera runs. For example, Apple’s MacBook cameras are engineered so they cannot activate without that green light coming on. This hardware design makes it extremely difficult (though security researchers have shown in rare cases, not entirely impossible) for malware to secretly record video on those models. Additionally, operating systems like Windows and macOS now include notifications or permission prompts when apps want camera access.

These measures improve safety, but they’re not foolproof. Attackers are constantly looking for creative ways around new barriers. As of 2025, webcam hacking is less rampant than it once was, but it has by no means disappeared. In fact, cybersecurity reports still occasionally find creative hacks – for instance, using an unsecured smart camera or webcam feed as a pivot point to launch larger attacks (a reminder that any camera, not just your laptop’s, can be an entry point). In summary, while your risk on any given day is fairly low, the impact could be very high. It’s a classic case of better safe than sorry, especially when the safe route (covering the cam) is so easy.

Risks of Not Covering Your Webcam (Big and Small)

Leaving your webcam uncovered is a bit like leaving your window curtains wide open – 99% of the time, nothing bad happens, but you’re giving that 1% a chance to peek in. Let’s break down the risks of not covering your laptop webcam, from worst-case scenarios to everyday nuisances:

Snooping and Surveillance: The most dramatic risk is someone actively watching you through your camera without your consent. If malware infects your PC, an attacker could literally see everything you’re doing in front of your laptop. This could be benign moments like browsing the web, or sensitive moments like changing clothes – whatever the camera sees, the hacker sees too. It’s creepy, to say the least.

In a home setting, this could lead to severe invasions of privacy or stalking. In a professional setting (say you’re working from home or dealing with confidential documents), a snoop might glean information on your screen or your conversations that they shouldn’t have. There have been cases where webcam spies used captured video for blackmail or harassment, as mentioned earlier. Even if they don’t catch you in an embarrassing act, just the knowledge that someone observed you without permission can be psychologically distressing.

Blackmail and Sextortion: A very real danger of webcam hacking is extortion. Hackers might record intimate or personal moments and threaten to release them unless you pay a ransom. This is known as sextortion, and sadly it’s become more common as our lives have moved online. Sometimes the mere claim of “I have footage of you” is used in spam emails to scare people into paying – often these are bluffing. But some hackers do actually obtain illicit recordings. For example, one high-profile criminal case involved a man who covertly took nude photos via webcams and then demanded money from victims, including a teenage pageant winner.

The victims are often too ashamed to speak out, which means many such crimes go underreported. Not covering your webcam increases the chance that, in the off-chance someone does breach your camera, they get something usable against you. It’s a low-probability, high-impact risk – akin to an insurance scenario you hope never happens, but would be devastating if it did.

Loss of Intellectual or Professional Privacy: If you handle sensitive information (say, you’re an executive, lawyer, journalist, or government employee), an uncovered webcam is a corporate espionage or data leak waiting to happen. Spyware could silently watch and listen during confidential meetings or as you handle private documents. Even in normal video calls, an attacker could capture business strategies or personal data visible in your environment.

As one security COO pointed out, it’s not just personal embarrassment at stake; it could be competitive intelligence or classified info that’s stolen via your webcam and microphone. That risk might be “small” for an average person, but for certain professionals it’s huge – and it’s one reason many companies issue laptops with physical camera shutters or recommend covers.

Targeted Harassment or “Peeping”: Sometimes the risk isn’t a far-away anonymous hacker, but someone closer to home. There have been incidents of school-issued laptops remotely activating student webcams (without clear consent), causing public outrage. Or perhaps a vindictive ex-partner installs spyware to watch you. If your webcam is open, any such actor with the means could try to exploit it. Again, these cases aren’t everyday occurrences, but they do happen.

For example, a creepy case in 2014 involved a website that was broadcasting feeds from hundreds of unsecured webcams (like baby monitors and home security cams) around the world. Those weren’t hacked in the traditional sense—people had simply never changed default passwords—but it shows how unprotected cameras can be abused by anyone with a bit of know-how. An uncovered laptop cam on an infected machine is similarly “unprotected” to would-be voyeurs.

No Control Over Your Image: Even if nothing truly sensitive is captured, leaving the camera open means any image of you could be snapped at any time. This might result in unflattering pictures or videos floating around without your knowledge. Hackers on forums have shared candid photos of unsuspecting victims (“slaves,” as they disturbingly call them) for laughs or bragging rights. It could be you slumped in your chair, making a weird face – harmless perhaps, but not something you intended to broadcast. It’s a minor risk in the grand scheme, but worth noting: an uncovered webcam means zero control over when you are or aren’t being photographed.

Malware Using Camera for More Attacks: Here’s an odd one: there was at least one case where ransomware hackers used an unsecured camera to aid an attack on a network. They didn’t care about spying on the person; instead, they exploited the camera’s connection to circumvent security and deploy malware. While this is not directly about you being watched, it’s a reminder that any device’s camera, if not secured, can be an unexpected tool for hackers to misuse in various ways. If covering the cam (or otherwise securing it) can help close one more path of attack, it’s worth doing.

In summary, the risks range from personal privacy invasions to serious security breaches. Most of these scenarios are avoidable and relatively rare, but they’re possible. And because covering your webcam is so effortless, it’s widely recommended as a prudent step. You might never be the target of a webcam hack – hopefully you aren’t – but if you ever would be, having that cover in place instantly thwarts the attack. It’s a bit of cheap insurance against some truly nasty outcomes.

How to Cover Your Webcam (Properly and Safely)

If you’re convinced that covering the webcam is wise, the next question is how to do it right. It might seem as simple as sticking a piece of tape over the camera (and indeed that works), but there are a few tips and precautions to keep in mind. Here are some effective ways to cover your laptop webcam and best practices to avoid any damage or inconvenience:

Use a Dedicated Webcam Cover: One of the easiest and most elegant solutions is a small sliding webcam cover. These are inexpensive gadgets (often just a couple of dollars) that stick around your camera lens and have a little shutter you can slide open or closed. When closed, it’s an opaque shield; when you need to use the camera for a Zoom call or selfie, you simply slide it open. The benefit is no sticky residue and quick access.

Many laptop manufacturers now include these on newer models (Lenovo’s ThinkShutter, HP’s Webcam Shutter, etc.) because they’re so convenient. If your laptop has one built-in, just slide it closed when you’re not on a call. If not, you can easily purchase an aftermarket cover and attach it. They’re ultra-thin, so they generally don’t interfere with closing the lid (more on that below). A physical shutter is “unhackable” – no malware can remotely open it – giving you instant peace of mind.

Tape or Stickers (Quick and Cheap): Good old tape is the classic solution. A small piece of opaque tape (like electrical tape or even a Post-it note) placed over the camera will do the job. This is what FBI director Comey uses, after all. If you rarely use your webcam, tape is a “set it and forget it” fix. However, be mindful of the type of tape: standard clear tape might still let light through (and leave a sticky mess), so a dark-colored, non-transparent tape is best. Some people use a sticky note or a Band-Aid for less adhesive gunk. The downside to tape is that certain adhesives can leave residue on your camera lens or laptop surface.

This can blur the webcam image when you do want to use it, until you clean it off. To avoid this, use tapes designed to be removable (painter’s tape or specialty webcam stickers sold by privacy companies, for example). And when removing or reapplying tape, do it gently to not scratch the lens. As a pro tip, replace the tape occasionally to prevent glue buildup, and clean the lens with a soft cloth before any important video call.

Utilize Built-in Camera Controls: While not a cover per se, it’s worth noting: check if your device or an external webcam has a built-in kill switch or cover. Some external USB webcams have a little flap you can flip over the lens. Some laptops (like HP Spectre models) have a kill switch or keyboard key that electronically disconnects the camera. Using these features can effectively “turn off” or cover your webcam without extra tools.

Just remember that an electronic disconnect (like disabling the camera via software) isn’t as foolproof as an actual cover – sophisticated malware could potentially re-enable a disabled device driver. But it’s still a good layer of security and more convenient for frequent toggling.

Unplug or Disable External Webcams: If you use an external webcam (say, for better quality video calls), simply unplug it when not in use. An attacker can’t access a camera that isn’t connected. This is the simplest measure for desktop PCs or anyone using a plug-and-play camera – plug it in when needed, pull it out when not. If constantly plugging and unplugging is impractical, consider an external cam that has a physical shutter built in, or use a cover on it just like you would on a laptop.

Also, for built-in webcams on laptops, you can disable them via your operating system settings (Device Manager on Windows, or covering the lens as we’ve been discussing). Just note that if you disable via software, you’d have to re-enable it for legitimate use, and some malware might be able to re-enable it too if it has high-level privileges. Hence, a physical block remains the gold standard.

Mobile Devices Too: Our focus is laptops, but as an aside, remember that tablets and smartphones have cameras always facing you as well. You obviously can’t tape over your phone’s selfie cam all day (you need to see the screen), but just be conscious of apps that request camera access. Both iOS and Android now show indicators (dots or icons) when the camera is in use.

Some people use camera cover sliders on tablets, or simply keep devices out of certain rooms (like not bringing phones into private situations). While you don’t necessarily need to cover your phone’s camera, the same principle of awareness applies. And never jailbreak or sideload shady apps that could leverage your phone camera maliciously.

Avoiding Damage to Your Device: If you decide to use a physical cover (tape, sticky pad, or a plastic slider), there is one important caution: be careful on ultra-thin laptops, especially MacBooks. Apple specifically warns against closing a MacBook with a cover thicker than 0.1mm (basically, the thickness of a sheet of paper) on the camera. The clearance between screen and keyboard is so tight that any added thickness can press against and crack the screen when the lid is shut. There have been horror stories of people closing their Mac with a webcam cover only to later find a damaged display.

To avoid this, use only very thin covers (vinyl stickers or the slim slider types) on such laptops, or simply remove the cover before closing the lid if it’s anything bulky. Also, if your cover has adhesive, ensure it doesn’t cover sensors (some laptops have ambient light sensors near the webcam) which could mess with your auto-brightness or True Tone features. In short: physical covers are great, just use them wisely and gently.

Finally, whatever method you choose, make it a habit: cover your webcam whenever you’re not actively using it. It’s a “set and forget” habit that can dramatically reduce your exposure to spying. And when you do need the camera for a meeting or class, it only takes a second to uncover and then cover it again afterward. The minor hassle far outweighs the risks of leaving it open.

Additional Steps to Keep Your Webcam (and Privacy) Secure

Covering your webcam is an excellent first step, but it shouldn’t be the only step in your personal cybersecurity plan. Think of it as one tool in a larger toolkit for protecting your digital life. Here are some additional measures to consider so that, ideally, hackers never get near your webcam in the first place:

Keep Your System Updated: As mentioned, outdated software can contain vulnerabilities that hackers exploit. Make sure your operating system (Windows, macOS, etc.) and your antivirus/anti-malware programs are set to update automatically. These patches often include fixes specifically aimed at blocking known spyware or RATs that target webcams. The same goes for applications like Zoom, Skype, or any program that uses your camera – update them regularly to get the latest security improvements.
Use Quality Security Software: A reputable antivirus or internet security suite is essential. Modern security software can detect and block many malware strains that try to access webcams. In fact, some security suites have a webcam protection feature (sometimes called a webcam shield) that will alert you or ask permission if any program tries to use the camera unexpectedly. For example, Bitdefender and Avast offer settings to block unauthorized camera access, adding a software layer of defense on top of your physical cover. At a minimum, run regular system scans to catch any infections before they can do harm.
Practice Safe Browsing and Email Habits: Many webcam hacks start with a phishing email or a malicious link that tricks you into installing something nasty. Be very wary of emails from unknown senders, especially if they urge you to click a link or download an attachment. Don’t download software from untrusted websites, and avoid pirated programs (they often hide malware). By reducing the chance of malware getting on your machine, you correspondingly reduce the chance of your webcam ever being hijacked.
Check App Permissions: Take a moment to review which apps on your computer have permission to use your webcam. Both Windows and Mac have privacy settings that list this. Prune out anything that doesn’t truly need the camera. For instance, if you installed a random browser extension or a game that somehow has camera access, revoke it. Only video conferencing, camera, or security apps should really need your webcam. On smartphones and tablets, you should do the same – regularly audit camera permissions in your settings. This helps ensure no sneaky app is watching or listening when it shouldn’t.
Cover or Turn Off When Not Needed: If you don’t plan to use video for a while, consider turning off the webcam entirely via device settings. In Windows, you can disable the camera driver in Device Manager, and on Mac you can deselect camera permissions or use a terminal command to unload the camera process. This is a more advanced step and, as noted, not foolproof against a determined hacker, but it can stop legit apps from accidentally turning it on. Certainly if you leave your laptop open in a room, having the camera off or covered is wise. (As an extra tip, also log out or lock your computer when you’re away – an opportunistic person in the vicinity can’t use your webcam if they can’t log in.)
Mind Your Microphone: Covering the webcam doesn’t stop microphone eavesdropping. Many laptop webcams are adjacent to microphones, which cannot be “covered” with a sticker without also muffling all sound. A hacker who compromises your system might not see you if your camera is covered, but they could still potentially hear you through the mic. Consider also tightening microphone permissions in your OS settings. When extreme privacy is needed (for instance, during a sensitive conversation), you can disable or even physically obscure the mic (some people use headphone jacks or white noise generators, but those are niche tactics). The main point: be aware that audio can be just as revealing as video, so secure your mic access similar to your camera.
Shut the Lid or Power Off: Simply closing your laptop or powering it down when not in use is an underrated security measure. Most laptops turn off or sleep the webcam when the lid is closed, so there’s no view (and if it’s fully off, no malware can run at all). A hacker can’t spy on a device that’s shut down. If you’re stepping away from your computer for a while or done for the day, shut it down – it gives you total protection during that period, and it saves energy too.

By combining these steps with a physical cover on your webcam, you’re creating multiple layers of defense. Think of it like home security: you lock the door (cover the cam), but you also have an alarm system (antivirus), maybe a fence (firewall), and you live in a safe neighborhood (you practice safe browsing). Each layer makes it less likely for intruders to succeed. The goal is to minimize risk from all angles. In an ideal scenario, your security measures will prevent hackers from ever gaining camera access – and the cover will just be a redundant safeguard. But if something slips through, that little piece of tape or shutter ensures they still see nothing but darkness.

Conclusion: Covering Your Webcam Is a Smart Move

So, should you cover your laptop webcam in 2025? Given all the evidence, the answer is a resounding yes – especially if you value your privacy and peace of mind. The risks associated with an uncovered webcam, while not an everyday occurrence, are serious enough to warrant this simple precaution. In a world where cyber threats continually evolve, a physical webcam cover remains one of the cheapest, easiest, and most effective security tools at your disposal. It addresses a vulnerability that technical measures alone might miss, acting as a fail-safe against prying eyes.

Covering your webcam is not a sign of paranoia; it’s an acknowledgment that digital life comes with real-world risks, and it’s a proactive step to guard against them. Even top cybersecurity experts and leaders take this step – because it works. As we’ve discussed, the act of placing a cover or tape over your camera immediately blocks out hackers, no matter how sophisticated their malware might be. It’s like closing the blinds on a window – what happens in your personal space stays personal.

To balance the perspective, it’s worth noting that if you choose not to cover your camera, it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to be spied on. Many people never encounter a webcam breach. But since the cost and effort of covering it are so low, why take any chance at all? Particularly when you consider that one mistake (like clicking a bad link) could invisibly open a conduit into your life, having that cover in place is a wise default.

In 2025, the consensus in the security community is clear: a covered webcam is a prudent choice. It’s part of a broader mindset of taking control of your technology. You should be the one who decides when your camera is on, not a hacker. By using a webcam cover and following good security practices, you reclaim that control.

Ultimately, the question isn’t so much “should you cover your webcam?” as “why wouldn’t you?”. The only real downsides – a tiny bit of inconvenience or a minor aesthetic blemish on your sleek laptop – pale in comparison to the upside of knowing for sure that nobody can silently watch you. If you haven’t already, consider making this small change today. Close the lid on webcam spying, literally, by covering that camera. Your future self, enjoying life off-camera until you choose otherwise, will be thankful.

For further reading on protecting your digital privacy and preventing cyber threats, be sure to check out our other guides and resources. [internal link: relevant Nexgyn article on cybersecurity best practices]

Sources

Justin Hubbard is a cybersecurity analyst focused on protecting digital assets and financial information in an increasingly connected world. He has advised fintech startups, cryptocurrency investors, and business owners on safeguarding their online presence. Justin’s work blends technical expertise with practical strategies anyone can use to stay secure.