Is someone using your webcam to spy on you? How to know and what to do to protect your privacy

That tiny camera on your laptop, smartphone, or tablet – the one that’s pointing your direction all hours of the day and night – has been the MVP of COVID-19. Many of us have relied on webcams for work, connecting with family and even going to school this past year and a half. 

But webcams can have a dark side, too. Cybercriminals use them – or, more likely, use our fear about what a stranger might see if someone hacks into them – all too often these days. 

The Better Business Bureau warns people about a sextortion scam that’s been around for a few years but hit people especially hard as the pandemic boosted webcam use.