1. Regularly Scan Your Devices for Spyware and Other Forms of Malware

While some hackers gain access to your webcam with a secret URL, most of the time they need to compromise your device or computer first with some type of malware. To make sure that your devices remain secure while you video-chat with others, it’s important to practice safe online habits in addition to running regular virus scans on your device. A Full Virus Scan will check for malicious threats on your smartphone and SD card that could be targeting your webcam. A routine malware scan like this ensures that hackers won’t gain control of your camera. Click here to scan your device for malware:

2. Don’t Fall for a Fake Wi-Fi Network

Hackers can set up Wi-Fi networks that look like the network you always use at your local coffeeshop or library. While you don’t want to have to continuously enter the password for the network, it’s a good idea to check up on the networks your device joins automatically. Delete networks one-by-one and start fresh every so often so you’re not duped by fake networks.

3. Physically Cover Your Webcam

The bottom line in protecting your webcam from hackers is to believe that it is always on. That means that you should never do anything in front of your open laptop that you wouldn’t be comfortable with anybody seeing. To ensure no one is watching, though, you can take a simple manual approach: cover the webcam with a piece of paper, a Post-It note, or a piece of tape. For example, Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is fond of this method.

4. Update Your Firmware.

Most webcams are controlled by firmware, and it’s through firmware that most hackers receive access to your webcam. If there are vulnerabilities in your firmware, manufacturers will often fix bugs and holes with new updates. Making sure that you’re staying familiar with these new updates — and ensuring that you’ve allowed for automatic updates — can keep your webcam safe.

Turn your webcam off or cover it up.
Hackers can’t gain access to your webcam if it isn’t on. So, if you’re not using it, turn off the portable webcam you might have for your desktop PC. If you’re using a laptop, close the webcam’s sliding cover, or if you don’t have one of those, cover the webcam with a piece of electrical tape or a Post-It note.

Read More: Researchers are Studying Ways to Prevent Car-Hacking

Change your password.
A webcam that connects to a Wi-Fi network will have a settings page that requires you to set a username and password. If you haven’t changed your password from the default that came with the network, then you’re making your webcam vulnerable to hacking. Sophisticated hackers will certainly know the passwords associated with popular webcam brands.

Keep an eye out for the indicator light.
Most built-in webcams have a light next to them when they’re in use. If your light is lit when you’re not using it, don’t just assume that there’s a glitch with your computer. Instead, you should assume that your computer might have been breached by hackers, and you should take precautions to remove the malware from your computer immediately.

Enable your firewall.
Your PC should be protected by a firewall to stop all kinds of malicious attacks. A firewall is a piece of hardware or software that tracks network traffic to make sure there’s no unauthorized access attempts on your Wi-Fi network. On Windows computers, the firewall is turned on by default. You can check to see yours is enabled by navigating to the control panel and typing in “Firewall.” Once you click on Windows Firewall, you’ll have the option to turn the program on or off.

After you’ve secured your webcam, make sure your PC is equally secure with PSafe Total for Windows. PSafe’s unmatched anti-virus protection ensures that your computer is protected from hackers 24 hours a day, while its optimization settings will help make sure your PC is running as smoothly as the day you bought it.