Thursday, August 12, 2010

Positive Turn off for webcam and microphone

Because webcams and microphones are now integrated into so many laptops and monitors, we no longer have good control over whether or not we are being watched or listened to.
The controls for the switches are all buried in software, which could be taken over by malicious software.
This is needed for people working at home or at work. Many business don't want their private business meetings monitored and can't be sure if there is a computer anywhere in the room where the meeting takes place.
All that is needed is a small microswitch mounted at the top of every laptop screen or monitor screen that displays a "red flag" when the connection is made for the microphone and or camera. It could be implemented so that the microphone could be enabled without the camera and a separate position to turn on the camera. I believe everyone would pay a small extra price increase to gain this extra degree of privacy.
Also, I think that until a device like this is included on monitors, many business and government agencies will not embrace the use of the internet for video or voice teleconferences.

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