Would you are wouldn't you use a web cam and why? I met someone online in China once and we used a web cam to chat, to me it was very helpful because I was able to see he matched his picture at least in the profile.

I used to have one but two things happened

1. I learned of all the different types of technology out there that gives people the capability to hack into others computers, and to view their webcams without them knowing.

2. My ex actually admitted to HAVING such software and showed me where he could read everything I was texting on my computer from where he lived in the UK.


,,,since them Im paranoid about having a webcam,, I dont care so much if someone wants to read my words, but I dont want someone peeking in my bedroom.

I use my webcam all the time with friends, mostly the ones that live in other countries.

Key term is "with friends"

I hate cameras.

I didn't know such technology existed. I'd better be careful then.

That's very understandable.

Noooo!!! Please don't.

(Ms.Harmony, you see what you've done?)

Aye, there is the rub. I don't have any friends.

I have a webcam on my laptop. I find it more useful as a mirror than a cam. Not that it's of low quality or anything, just never had the opportunity to use it as more than a mirror. I do have Skype though.

Use a virtual keyboard and they won't detect what you type. Use good AV and anti spyware and keep your computer updated. You can also monitor your system to detect if there's anything running you don't want to run.

There's no need to be paranoid.

Depends on who it's with? Some random person on here? No. I have no interest in seeing random strangers on a webcam. A friend I don't see often? Sure.

Ms. HArmonY- To my understanding,and I could be totally wrong, but i was told that webcam spying software had to be installed into the computer in which it is viewing from. So say you take your computer in for maintenance or loan it to a friend, they would have to install such software into your actually computer in order to activate without you permission.


I hope i am right about it, because i use my cam all the time to visit with my friends and family. I also make sure as a precaution, that my camera is never on or facing me if i am in the bedroom changing or something.....

awww... that would a great time for the camera to be on....

oh garsh, ur making me blush, lol

I use one, once in a while - when my daughter and her father have video visitation (he lives 4700 miles away). Otherwise, it's in the desk drawer.

that could also be true, in my case, I have had the same computer for four years, plenty of chances for him to mess with it during one of his past 'visits'

Only webcam with family and very close friends.

Darn! Didn't know this either.



Wish I know how to detect anything running that I don't want to run. Guess I should ask help from someone who knows.

Thanks for the information, everyone. This alerts me too.

Yeah if he has had physical contact with your computer i think that is the only way to install that type of a program.

I have a web cam but infrequently use it. It is good when I use Cheese to make an avatar for different Linux distribution forums.