2y ago

Do you go through any physical measures to ensure the privacy of your devices?

For example using privacy screen protectors or phone cases with a manual shutter over the camera.

30 comments

font size on the phone is small, both for preference and for a bit more privacy.
protect most apps with fingerprint app lock, in case the phone is stolen unlocked or someone else tries to open another app.
webcam covers. I don't use phone camera covers, but android has privacy indicators that work as "snitches" when apps access the camera or mic. I have something similar for my other computers, at least for the camera.
I would like a hardware toggle for camera and mic on my next laptop, but that narrows down the laptop space too much.
- I'm sure you're already aware, but the framework laptop includes toggles for mic and camera. I'm a big fan of the laptops in general because of the upgradability and ease of repair.
  
  right, I do have framework in my list of candidates for next laptop
- If i recall correctly, law enforcement can use biometric information to unlock phones without your consent or a warrant.
  PIN codes still by consent or warrant only.
  
  I understand the phone owner is not covered by the fifth amendment to prevent authorities from unlocking a device using biometrics, but authorities still need a warrant or probable cause as it falls into search of private property.
- How solid is the android privacy indicator, in terms of if it can be tricked to not appear when the camera is running
  
  unless there's a way for non-root apps to bypass the Android API to access these sensors, I'd say it's pretty solid.
- Miss the days when laptops had kensington locks
  
  Those were pretty useless most of the time.
- How do you set something like that up? Also it would be cool to have that with phone, maybe an AirTag style device.
- What if you have to go to the bathroom or step in the kitchen for a snack? You shut down your computer every time?
  
  I'm not them, but I could imagine that at home they don't do it, as it's less important there
Tape or card over front cameras. 🙈
- Now that front cameras are embedded in the screen, that's a bit annoying..
  
  Solution (to me, at least): don't buy such phones. They are ugly anyways.
I have disconnected the built-in camera and microphone on my laptop. If I want to have a conference call, I just plug in equivalent external devices.
Sure. I try to disable or disconnect cameras and microphones when possible. My laptop's camera has tape on it and on my PinePhone I've disabled the camera with a switch.
Not really. I disable camera access to most apps on my phone and in general I trust that. Never felt the need for a physical shutter.
I think if I was in an environment where I used my devices within eyeshot of others frequently I'd probably think about a privacy screen protector, but I typically have private places I can use my phone for sensitive things so I just try to be cognizant of my surroundings to prevent shoulder surfing
All depends on the threats you're concerned about I guess
Often overlooked and incredably imortant. Your security is as strong its weakest link.
Tape over my webcamera on my laptop is about all I do physically everything else I trust to software. My pixel cant have a privacy screen protector because of the fingerprint scanner in the screen sadly
- Which Pixel is that out of interest ?
  
  Pixel 6 but I think every other newer gen has the same issue
I'd be more worried about the microphone, keyloggers and screen capture than cameras. What's the obsession with cameras in particular?
I have my power conditioner mounted under my desk with the switch easily accessible. When not in use, I routinely power that off. I don't have WoL enabled, but it gives me peace of mind anyways knowing that I'm pretty close to airgapped at that point.
Regularly delete stuff, you dont want your sd card popped out and accessed. The devices are encrypted but the sd card is not ... At least my device doesn't have that option. I also ensure I have backed up my 2FA codes if the phone is lost or stolen, you dont want to be locked out of your accounts. freeOTP+ allows you to export them.
I used to cover them camera with tape but I have to many signal video calls for that to be workable.

30 comments