How does one prevent this from happening? Is it a password thing? If so, which password?
Link (http://fox4kc.com/2013/09/27/sextortion-victim-miss-teen-usa-knows-suspect-from-high-school/)
Quote
(CNN) — The college student accused of hijacking the webcam of Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf and other young women is a former high school classmate of the pageant winner.
Jared James Abrahams, 19, was arrested Thursday for allegedly taking nude images of the women using their own webcams, and then blackmailing them to send more explicit material.
Wolf, the reigning Miss Teen USA, said she recognized the alleged perpetrator when his name and image were released.
"It's weird for me to be able to put a face to the person who did this to me, and that it was a person I went to high school with," Wolf said Friday on NBC's "Today."
Abrahams wasn't her friend or even an acquaintance, she said. She just remembers knowing his name and seeing him in the hallways of her high school.
After watching television images of Abrahams being led out of court, Wolf said she felt mixed emotions. This man allegedly had terrorized her, but she also felt kind of sorry for him.
"I don't think he realizes the consequences that he's done and the people that he hurt," she said on NBC. "He terrorized me and many girls for so long."
Abrahams, from Temecula, California, is a computer science student.
He is accused of taking nude pictures of Wolf while she changed clothes or walked into her room after a shower. Wolf said she was completely unaware; the light on her computer never turned on to show the camera was on.
Fears about such hacking is not misplaced.
Last month, it was reported that some high-end televisions with built-in cameras could be turned on without the viewers knowing.
Security cameras, lights, heating control systems and even door locks and windows are now increasingly coming with features that allow users to control them remotely. Without proper security controls, there's little to stop hackers from invading users' privacy, stealing personal information or spying on people.
Abrahams' arrest came six months after Wolf alerted authorities to the "sextortion" scheme.
Authorities executed a search warrant at Abrahams' home on June 4, at which time he "voluntarily agreed to speak" with a pair of FBI agents. Describing himself in that interview as a college freshman who was good with computers, a criminal complaint said, he admitted using malware and his expertise to "watch his victims change their clothes and ... use the photographs against them."
When he admitted what he'd done, Abrahams said he had 30 to 40 "slave computers" — or other people's electronic devices he controlled — and has had as many as 150 total, according to the complaint.
Investigators also linked him to at least eight other young women, some of them, like Wolf, from Southern California. Others were from as far away as Moldova.
Wolf said she became aware of the hack after she got a Facebook alert that someone had tried to change her password to the social networking site. She then noticed other passwords had been changed and that her Twitter avatar was now a half-nude picture of herself.
Then she got a threat: "Either you do one of the things listed below or I upload these pics and a lot more (I have a LOT more and those are better quality) on all your accounts for everybody to see and your dream of being a model will be transformed into a pornstar" (sic).
Wolf says she is now on a campaign to raise awareness about the risks that technology can expose users to.
Put a piece of tape over a built-in camera lens. Unplug attached cameras.
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:32:08 PM
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
Unplug your network cable.
Disable the camera in Device Manager?
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:32:08 PM
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
store.apple.com
-_-
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2013, 02:43:58 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:32:08 PM
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
store.apple.com
-_-
:rolleyes:
Quote from: PRC on September 27, 2013, 02:40:25 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:32:08 PM
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
Unplug your network cable.
Wi-fi :contract:
Quote from: Tamas on September 27, 2013, 02:42:01 PM
Disable the camera in Device Manager?
Hmm.
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:59:39 PM
Wi-fi :contract:
Thats even worse but the solution is similar. Unplug/disable the Wi-Fi card.
I think the lesson here is if you are always plugged in then you need to take precautions by disabling devices that might compromise you.
Quote from: Tamas on September 27, 2013, 02:46:47 PM
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2013, 02:43:58 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:32:08 PM
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
store.apple.com
-_-
:rolleyes:
Well, short of that there is no easy answer for "how to keep someone from hacking your computer at all".
First of all of course you have to make sure no stranger ever gets any physical access to the machine.
Then you have to be careful about what software you install, which links you follow.
And finally you need to keep your anti-virus software up to date and run it regularly.
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:32:08 PM
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
Use a VPN provider. Enable your firewall.
throw away your PC
Cover your daughter's naughty bits with duct tape.
Start a blog and web cam with live feed and embrace living like a zoo animal.
This thread made me think of 'Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter' by Iron Maiden. Therefore, it meets with my approval. :punk:
I don't, as a rule, leave my laptop on, so it's not really an issue for me. It's definitely something to keep in mind for Riley, though.
On a laptop all you should have to do is leave the lid closed. Even if someone could turn the machine on all they would get is an extreme closeup of the keyboard.
Quote from: Baron von Schtinkenbutt on September 27, 2013, 04:53:34 PM
On a laptop all you should have to do is leave the lid closed. Even if someone could turn the machine on all they would get is an extreme closeup of the keyboard.
So they get your fingerprints. No harm possible there.
I feel like Vanity Fair or New York magazine had a piece a few months back on another kid like this.
I did disable the device manager for my work computer. Don't need IT watching me. :angry:
Quote from: Caliga on September 27, 2013, 04:15:19 PM
This thread made me think of 'Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter' by Iron Maiden. Therefore, it meets with my approval. :punk:
Iron maiden sucks.
It's not just about peeping toms. Or whatever the female equivalent of that is. Last year there was an incident where a hacker got in to the videoconference array of a Dow 30 company and listened clandestinely to their quarterly results meeting. Then they did some insider trading ahead of the announcements based on what they heard.
Quote from: Barrister on September 27, 2013, 02:43:58 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:32:08 PM
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
store.apple.com
-_-
<_<
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FM0w8adx.png&hash=99d8f3a44a3328d3cdec1eaf30bab58091418a92) (http://imgur.com/M0w8adx)
Quote from: garbon on September 27, 2013, 04:56:48 PM
I feel like Vanity Fair or New York magazine had a piece a few months back on another kid like this.
A guy from my neighbourhood was arrested for this as well recently.
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 27, 2013, 05:46:48 PM
It's not just about peeping toms. Or whatever the female equivalent of that is. Last year there was an incident where a hacker got in to the videoconference array of a Dow 30 company and listened clandestinely to their quarterly results meeting. Then they did some insider trading ahead of the announcements based on what they heard.
This is why STEM is king.
Quote from: The Brain on September 27, 2013, 04:54:35 PM
So they get your fingerprints. No harm possible there.
Dude, no built-in webcam has a resolution that good. Also, they're lacking in the lighting, so it's more like leaving the lens cap on the camera.
Quote from: Ideologue on September 27, 2013, 08:32:23 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 27, 2013, 05:46:48 PM
It's not just about peeping toms. Or whatever the female equivalent of that is. Last year there was an incident where a hacker got in to the videoconference array of a Dow 30 company and listened clandestinely to their quarterly results meeting. Then they did some insider trading ahead of the announcements based on what they heard.
This is why STEM is king.
Gee, wasn't there a person on this board that kept telling you to go into engineering instead of law. I wonder who that was...
And I don't keep a broken clock around just because it tells the right time twice a day either.
Quote from: Razgovory on September 27, 2013, 09:12:34 PM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 27, 2013, 08:32:23 PM
Quote from: MadImmortalMan on September 27, 2013, 05:46:48 PM
It's not just about peeping toms. Or whatever the female equivalent of that is. Last year there was an incident where a hacker got in to the videoconference array of a Dow 30 company and listened clandestinely to their quarterly results meeting. Then they did some insider trading ahead of the announcements based on what they heard.
This is why STEM is king.
Gee, wasn't there a person on this board that kept telling you to go into engineering instead of law. I wonder who that was...
If he had he'd be whining about how he should have gone into Law instead. That's just who he is.
Et tu, TIM?
Damn, Timmay going all Mortal Kombat.
Preacher telling the truth and it hurts. :(
I told Riley this story, and her first response was, "So... I'll be putting tape over the camera..."
She's such a bright girl. :wub:
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 09:53:10 PM
I told Riley this story, and her first response was, "So... I'll be putting tape over the camera..."
She's such a bright girl. :wub:
That was an awful prompt response. Especially considering that one can get dressed in the bathroom... :P
Quote from: jimmy olsen on September 27, 2013, 09:21:30 PM
If he had he'd be whining about how he should have gone into Law instead. That's just who he is.
Yep. He's a human being.
Ide is a human doing.
Quote from: DontSayBanana on September 27, 2013, 09:58:39 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 09:53:10 PM
I told Riley this story, and her first response was, "So... I'll be putting tape over the camera..."
She's such a bright girl. :wub:
That was an awful prompt response. Especially considering that one can get dressed in the bathroom... :P
We live in a one-bedroom house. She can get dressed in her bedroom so that other people can get in the bathroom. :contract:
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 10:13:41 PM
We live in a one-bedroom house. She can get dressed in her bedroom so that other people can get in the bathroom. :contract:
A one-bedroom house? That has to be hard on your sex life.
Quote from: Valmy on September 27, 2013, 10:23:49 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 10:13:41 PM
We live in a one-bedroom house. She can get dressed in her bedroom so that other people can get in the bathroom. :contract:
A one-bedroom house? That has to be hard on your sex life.
:blush:
A one-bathroom house.
:D
Little House on the Prairie...or was that Little House in the Big Woods?
Quote from: Ideologue on September 27, 2013, 09:14:22 PM
And I don't keep a broken clock around just because it tells the right time twice a day either.
Yeah, now that I think of it, pretty much everyone thought the law idea thing was a stupid. I don't recall anyone endorsing your quest to become like John Edwards.
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 09:53:10 PM
I told Riley this story, and her first response was, "So... I'll be putting tape over the camera..."
She's such a bright girl. :wub:
She's thinking just like Grumbler!
Quote from: garbon on September 27, 2013, 10:32:05 PM
:D
Little House on the Prairie...or was that Little House in the Big Woods?
It was Little House in the Big Woods, On the Banks of Plum Creek, and whatever book it was that took place in Kansas.
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 09:53:10 PM
I told Riley this story, and her first response was, "So... I'll be putting tape over the camera..."
She's such a bright girl. :wub:
:thumbsup: Hopefully Lola is as thoughtful. Right now it's all I can do to keep her from running around the house without her diaper or pants on :lol:
Quote from: CountDeMoney on September 27, 2013, 10:11:51 PM
Ide is a human doing.
According to Mitt Romney, I'm a human taking. :)
Quote from: Valmy on September 27, 2013, 10:23:49 PM
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 10:13:41 PM
We live in a one-bedroom house. She can get dressed in her bedroom so that other people can get in the bathroom. :contract:
A one-bedroom house? That has to be hard on your sex life.
Wasn't that the default for like 98% of humanity until the Industrial Revolution?
Yeah, but people didn't have sex back then.
Quote from: Ideologue on September 27, 2013, 09:14:22 PM
And I don't keep a broken clock around just because it tells the right time twice a day either.
Why do you keep it around?
It annoys Yi in an occasionally humorous or otherwise entertaining fashion.
Quote from: dps on September 28, 2013, 05:49:29 AM
Quote from: Ideologue on September 27, 2013, 09:14:22 PM
And I don't keep a broken clock around just because it tells the right time twice a day either.
Why do you keep it around?
if he didn't use his broken right twice a day clock then he'd never be right :P
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 02:32:08 PM
Okay, that's the quick-fix. I want to know how to prevent someone from hacking into my computer at all.
Don't use computers?
Quote from: merithyn on September 27, 2013, 01:57:58 PM
How does one prevent this from happening? Is it a password thing? If so, which password?
1- Make sure you have a sofware firewall and an hardware firewall.
2- Make sure you have an anti-virus and an anti-spyware.
3- Make regular scans.
4- Make regular updates to all your softwares and to your OS.
5- Beware of links you receive from strangers, never click on them.
6- Keep your router firmware updated, or even better yet, use an Open-Source firmware like dd-wrt. The default firmware of many commercial routers contain known, unpatched exploits.
7- Disable UPnP (Universal Plug&Play) on your router, due to #6.
8- The integrated webcam on the laptop won't work if the lid is shut... just sayin'. For a regulard external webcam on any PC, just unplug it.
It will not prevent a good hacker to hack your computer if he choses so. Some governments have way more securities than we can afford and they do get hacked. However, it will deter 99,9% of the script kiddies out there.