With technology zooming ahead at lightning speed
I had a message from Norton saying that, once again, we should buy more security from them. Apparently they think we should be paying more than $700 a year for virus protection on our computer! When I clicked through the settings, I found that Webcam access had just been attempted by Norton! And it was allowed! I then scrolled through the list and found that the Webcam had allowed Microsoft Edge access! I have never allowed this! I took a screenshot of one of the pages and I quickly took pictures from my phone before I lost the info.
– Shelley , Salisbury, MD
This sounds like it could have been a phishing attempt where a scammer tries to use an email to trick you into clicking on a link or attachment. Here are some signs that the email you received was not actually from Norton.
- The message contained an exorbitant price (or may claim that you were charged an exorbitant price) that immediately makes you want to click it to look into why you were charged so much.
- The message had a generic greeting, spelling or grammar errors, or an urgent tone.
- The message included a link or an attachment that you were not expecting or did not recognize.
- The message claimed that there was a problem with your account or your payment information and asked you to confirm or update it.
If Shelley clicked on a link or attachment in the email she received, she might have unknowingly downloaded malware onto her computer or device. This could explain why she suspected Norton and Microsoft Edge had tried to access her webcam without her permission.
Unrestricted webcam access and the looming threat to personal privacy
MORE: IS SOMEONE SPYING ON YOU THROUGH YOUR HACKED WEBCAM? 7 RED FLAGS
Responding to a breach
Report the incident to the company: I recommend Shelley contact Norton’s customer support through their official website or by calling them on their phone number, which can be found on their website, and report the incident. They can help her verify her account status and security settings. Never respond to the email that you receive, especially if you think it’s a scam.
Use identity theft protection: Identity Theft protection companies can monitor personal information like your Home title, Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
MORE: HOW TO FIND OUT WHO’S SPYING ON YOU
Have good antivirus software on all your devices: The best way to protect yourself from having your data breached is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. Having good antivirus software actively running on your devices will alert you of any malware in your system, warn you against clicking on any malicious links in phishing emails and ultimately protect you from being hacked.
See my expert review of the best antivirus protection for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
Have strong passwords and use 2-factor authentication: Using the same password across multiple platforms will always make you more vulnerable because if one account gets hacked, they all have the potential of getting hacked. And 2-factor authentication is just an extra shield that will prevent a hacker from getting into your accounts. Make sure to use a password manager to keep track of all your passwords.
Use a VPN: Consider using a VPN to protect against hackers snooping on your device as well. VPNs will protect you from those who want to track and identify your potential location and the websites that you visit.
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