Secret Activation of Webcams: One of the New Hacker Methods
With the increase of technology, lawmakers and citizens alike are enjoying the great gains that our society receives from utilization of this technology, but are also unsure of how to control technology to ensure that users are protected at all stages. There are certain protections that have already put into place on a state-by-state basis, but the federal law is still finding itself limited in the application of laws to computer hackers and the crimes that they commit. Unfortunately, the fast evolution of technology means that computer crimes are being committed left and right without the appropriate law or regulation to deter hackers. In other words, lawmakers cannot keep up with the fast-paced integration of new technology and many of this new technology remains unregulated and users vulnerable to abuse.
The Importance of Webcam Technology
The most important topic of discussion has been about webcam hacking and spying. The utilization of webcams in our lives has grown exponentially over the last decade and these days almost every electronic device has a camera. We use the webcam technology to speak with our loved ones when we are apart, webcams are extremely useful when teleconferencing with other countries, and webcam technology is increasingly used as “babysitters” where we can get live feed of our property, pets, and maybe the new babysitter.
Who are the Hackers? What Does Hacking Webcam Technology Mean?
However, hackers are also finding that they can gain access to your webcams as well. New technology has enabled hackers the ability to remotely and secretly activate your devices’ cameras so as to spy on users. Not just hackers are using this technology, new reports have shown that the government and many of its agencies have been able to activate a user’s webcam remotely and record audio and video feed, without the user’s knowledge and without any recourse. Some companies are also beginning to use webcams to spy on their customers. Other hackers are known to activate the webcams to spy on the users, record the users while naked or engaged in sexual encounters, and then use the feed to later blackmail the users.
IP Cameras: Another Source of Hacking
IP cameras are also the subject of debate. These are type of cameras where users may have access to live video and audio feeds to watch their property, pets, and family members. These are the technologically-advanced versions of the “spying teddy bear” used notoriously by parents nervous about leaving their children with a new babysitter. Many hackers are able to log on to the IP cameras, send the audio and video transmissions to their own location, and use the information for a variety of nocuous reasons such as examining the location for a robbery, using the feed for blackmail, etc.
Florida’s Computer Crimes Law
Florida has recently amended its computer crimes law to curb this type of abuse, however, the law was only introduced in late 2013 and came into effect in 2014. The law makes illegal the unauthorized access of any computer, electronic device, or computer network or the disruption, destruction or introduction of a contaminant into any computer, computer network, or electronic device. The amendments went further to incorporate into the law any type of surveillance, either by audio or video, by an individual of any feature or component (including webcams) of any computer, computer network, or electronic device. Other states have variations on this type of computer crimes law, but some states are still slow to act.
Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in Fort Lauderdale
Computer crimes laws are highly complex and may be difficult to understand. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a computer crime, it is important that you speak with an experienced Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney like Kevin J. Kulik who can advocate on your behalf. Contact the Law Offices of Kevin J. Kulik today for a free and confidential consultation.
