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Disabling WebCam on Asus Eeebook

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Mee
Mee Posts: 1,462 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
I have in the past covered the camera hole and disabled the webcam. However, in the last few days I have found it enabled so decided to uninstal the driver. I now find the driver is still there. I didn't think this was possible. Please advise.
Free thinker.:cool:

Comments

  • AndyPix
    AndyPix Posts: 4,847 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Find the device in device manager , Right click, choose disable.


    If you just uninstall the driver, it will simply re-install itsself when you next startup


    Let us know if you need help to do this
  • Mee
    Mee Posts: 1,462 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    AndyPix wrote: »
    Find the device in device manager , Right click, choose disable.


    If you just uninstall the driver, it will simply re-install itsself when you next startup


    Let us know if you need help to do this
    Thanks,. I have disabled it in the past but found it somehow enabled so thought the next step would be to delete the driver. Is there really no other way of permanently removing it?
    Free thinker.:cool:
  • EdwardB
    EdwardB Posts: 462 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    I disabled mine in device manager on a Laptop I used (did the mic as well) and worked fine.

    You could stick some tape over it or disconnect the cable from the webcam to the motherboard.
    Please be nice to all MoneySavers. That’s the forum motto. Remember, the prime aim is to help provide info and resources. If you don’t like someone, their situation, their question or feel they’re intruding on ‘your board’ then please bite the bullet and think of the bigger issue. :cool::)
  • AndyPix
    AndyPix Posts: 4,847 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Things cant just re-enable themselves under normal circumstances.


    It is in DEVICE MANAGER that you are disabling it isnt it ??
    Have you scanned for malware recently ?


    If your stuck, then a bulletproof way to disable the camera is to set this registry key


    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\usbvideo


    Find the "Start" subkey and set it to 4 and restart your computer


    Andy
  • Strider590
    Strider590 Posts: 11,874 Forumite
    I don't understand why OP is doing this, maybe some paranoia?

    Regardless you should know that if the camera is in use in one app, then nothing else can use it.

    At the end of the day if someone was able to hack your laptop and gain access to the webcam, then they'd also have access to whatever you did to disable it. Only unplugging it, or covering it is ever going to work.

    It can be useful to keep the webcam, because in cases of theft it can (depending on what software is installed) be used to identify the criminal who stole it.
    “I may not agree with you, but I will defend to the death your right to make an a** of yourself.”

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  • Mee
    Mee Posts: 1,462 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    AndyPix wrote: »
    Things cant just re-enable themselves under normal circumstances.


    It is in DEVICE MANAGER that you are disabling it isnt it ??
    Have you scanned for malware recently ?


    If your stuck, then a bulletproof way to disable the camera is to set this registry key


    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\usbvideo


    Find the "Start" subkey and set it to 4 and restart your computer


    Andy

    Thanks.
    I use the Device Manager at all times to access it as I don't know any other way. I did wonder about malware when I found it renabled. I constantly update everything and scan.
    As I said the camera hole is covered. I just have to keep an eye it and disable it if necessary. I'm a little unsure about using some of the other methods suggested here.

    Thanks - must dash.
    Free thinker.:cool:
  • S0litaire
    S0litaire Posts: 3,535 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Obvious answer time!! ;)

    Electrical/Duct Tape over lens... job done ;) lol

    no fiddling about with registry entries or removing drivers which might be put back in place during the next update .. ;) lol
    Laters

    Sol

    "Have you found the secrets of the universe? Asked Zebade "I'm sure I left them here somewhere"
  • AndyPix
    AndyPix Posts: 4,847 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 17 March 2017 at 2:25PM
    S0litaire wrote: »
    Obvious answer time!! ;)

    Electrical/Duct Tape over lens... job done ;) lol

    no fiddling about with registry entries or removing drivers which might be put back in place during the next update .. ;) lol

    Mee wrote: »
    I have in the past covered the camera hole .


    ;) Perhaps both - belt and braces - Even Zuk doesnt trust himself not to spy on himself !!


    Capture.jpg


    He also covers the stereo Mics too !!
  • Mee
    Mee Posts: 1,462 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Thanks for the reminder about the stereo mic.
    Free thinker.:cool:
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