Definition
Camfecting is the act of hacking a user’s webcam without their knowledge or consent, usually to spy on them or capture footage for malicious purposes.
Examples of Camfecting
- In 2013, a hacker named Jared James Abrahams hacked into a webcam, took compromising photos of Cassidy Wolf (a Miss Teen USA at that time), and blackmailed her. Abrahams was caught, pleaded guilty, and served an 18-month sentence in prison.
- In 2014, a Russian website was found streaming live feeds from over 4,000 hacked webcams from more than 250 countries. The site was later shut down.
Useful Applications of Camfecting
- Video surveillance: Camfecting techniques can be used for legitimate purposes, such as video surveillance in security systems or public spaces.
- Remote assistance: Tech support and engineers can use competing methods to provide remote tech assistance.
- Parental control and monitoring: Parents can use similar methods to monitor their children’s online activities for safety purposes.