Do You Need to Feebie-Proof Your Computer?

Apparently so, as the Feds can surreptitiously activate your webcam and microphone. If the Feds can do it, other people can, as well.

A long while back, I had a friend who worked at a law firm. Their office network was not connected to the Internet. If someone needed to use the Internet, they had separate computers for that, which were forbidden for use for anything else but e-mail and research. At the time, I thought that they were excessively paranoid. No longer do I think that.

One thing to do is, for your laptop, take a small square of white copying paper, stick it to some electrical tape, and then tape the paper over the hole for the web cam. You can then wad up a bit of tissue and do the same for the microphone. If you need to use them, you can take either off. The paper, besides inhibiting both of them, also protects them from the tape's goo.

Or just shut off your router when you don't need it. You'll also save a little on your power bill.