Can hackers hack your camera on a Mac?

If you're wondering, can hackers hack the camera on your MacBook, the short answer is yes. Our devices are a treasure trove of personal, sensitive, and private data, which is unsurprisingly very attractive to cybercriminals.

Camera hacking isn't new; it's actually been around for years; it's a terrifying possibility that someone might be able to access your camera and steal your data and your physical privacy.

The quickest check is built into your Mac. On a Mac with a built-in camera, the green light next to the camera turns on whenever the camera is in use, and a green dot appears next to Control Center in the menu bar. Click Control Center to see which apps are using your camera or microphone. Below, we cover the other signs and what to do if you suspect your camera has been hacked.

Can your camera be hacked on a Mac?

Years ago, a rumor circulated that MacBooks were impenetrable to threats, attacks, and viruses. It's sadly not the case.

Camera hacking was also once believed not possible on a Mac, but thanks to the Apple bug bounty program, this was disproved when Ryan Pickren, a cyber security student, received a $100,500 reward from Apple after proving Mac webcams were hackable. Apple, of course, patched the breach and has since fixed that particular issue.

How to tell if your laptop camera is hacked

Here are a few ways to check if your Mac camera is hacked.

1. Light indicator

When using apps like FaceTime or Zoom, a small green light signifies that your MacBook's built-in webcam is in use.

If you notice that light when you're not using any apps or when you're simply browsing the internet, that could be a sign that something or someone is accessing your camera. For more on this subject, check out this article — Mac camera light is always on? Here's how to fix it.

The light is part of the camera hardware: Apple says the camera is engineered so that it can't turn on without the light also turning on. macOS also shows a green dot next to the Control Center icon in the menu bar while a camera is in use, and an orange dot while the microphone is in use. To see which app it is, click Control Center: the top of the window shows the apps using your camera or microphone.

2. Strange videos on your Mac

If you find weird videos or pictures on your Mac, that's another sign hackers are at play. 

3. Camera suddenly stops working

Another sign is if your camera suddenly stops working or becomes unavailable; check out the article on why your Mac camera is not working for more on this subject.

OK, so now that you know what signs to look for, it's time for us to tackle the subject of what to do if you suspect your Mac camera is hacked.

What to do if your Mac camera is hacked 

1. Check for malware

Antivirus software is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to protecting your data and privacy. If you suspect your camera has been hacked, you need to run a virus check immediately. Apple comes with its own antivirus protection tool, XProtect, but don't get lured into a false sense of security — more is needed to keep your Mac safe from threats. That's why it's recommended to leave your device security to third-party experts.

I like to use CleanMyMac. This powerful tool meets all my MacBook protection needs. It offers real-time protection against ever-present threats, and its Protection feature quickly performs deep system scans, locating and removing viruses.

Here's how to protect your Mac the smart way:

• Open CleanMyMac. No app yet? Get your free CleanMyMac trial — all features are free for 7 days.
• Open Protection from the sidebar and click Scan.
• Wait for the system scan to complete and follow any instructions if malware is found.

2. Cover your webcam

Webcam covers are a simple and effective way to block people from spying on your activity. Many people use black electrical tape, but you can also buy one from places like Amazon. 

Just be careful to always remove the webcam cover when you close the lid of your device — they have been known to cause screen cracks.

Did you know? Sometimes, malware can cause all kinds of issues on your Mac, and one of them is touchpad not working. In other cases, it is a software glitch not related to having a Mac infected with a virus. If you've ever encountered it, check out this guide on how to fix MacBook trackpad not clicking.

3. Quit suspicious activity

You can use Activity Monitor to view all the active processes and applications running in real time on your Mac, even the sneaky, covert background activity; here's how:

• Open Finder > Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor.
• Select the CPU tab and look for any processes or applications open and running that you don't recognize.
• If you find something you don't recognize, don't close it straight away. Many unfamiliar names belong to macOS itself, and closing malware doesn't stop it from starting again. First check where its file is stored and who signed it, and look up its name, as our guide on how to identify malware in Activity Monitor explains. Quit it only once you're sure, then remove it.

4. Remove browser extensions

If you notice the webcam green light activates when you're browsing the net, it's time to manage your browser extensions; here's how on Chrome:

• With Chrome open, select the main Chrome menu > Settings.
• Select Extensions from the left sidebar.
• Click Remove on any you no longer need or recognize.

For other browsers, the steps are similar, although the locations differ. In Safari, they are found in Settings (from the menu bar) > Extensions. For Firefox, it is menu > Add-ons and themes > Extensions.

5. Limit camera access

Another way to stop camera hackers is to limit which applications have access to your camera; here's how:

1. Select the main Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security.

2. Locate Camera from the list and toggle off which applications you do not want to have access to your camera.

3. Go back a step and select Microphone; repeat this process.  

4. Go back again and check Screen & System Audio Recording and Accessibility (renamed to Device Control & Data Access in macOS Golden Gate). Apps listed there can see your screen or control your Mac, so turn off any you don't recognize.

An even smarter way to manage application permissions is using the Applications Permissions tool from CleanMyMac. It gives you an instant overview of app permissions in one place, making it easy to select items and remove permissions quickly; here's how to do it:

1. Open the app and select Protection from the sidebar.
2. Click Scan > Manage Privacy Items.
3. Go to Application Permissions and take a look at Camera and Microphone to see which apps have access.
4. Select items for removal and click Revoke.

6. Turn off remote access you didn't set up

Remote access lets someone use your Mac from another computer. Choose Apple menu > System Settings > General > Sharing and check Screen Sharing, Remote Management, and Remote Login: if any of them is on and you didn't turn it on, turn it off.

Also look in your Applications folder for remote-access apps you didn't install yourself, such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer. These are legitimate tools, but tech-support scammers often ask people to install them. If a caller talked you into installing one, quit it, uninstall it, and change your passwords from another device.

We've reached the end, but now you've got the answers to why your Mac camera may be hacked.