5 Ways to Cover Your Laptop Camera

In today’s digital age, the importance of online security and personal privacy has become increasingly evident. Especially with the cameras on laptops and desktop computers, they can potentially become pathways for privacy breaches. Imagine if hackers access the camera on your computer situated in your living room or bedroom; the thought of being covertly observed is indeed eerie. 

For enhanced privacy, many people have taken to covering their cameras. A photo circulating online shows even Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has covered his camera. Moreover, the FBI has consistently emphasized the importance of online security, suggesting various preventive measures such as regularly updating software, not clicking on links or attachments from unknown sources, and considering covering the camera to prevent possible breaches.

1. Webcam Covers

Recommendation Rating: ★★★★★

Webcam covers, specifically designed for cameras, are now widely used on various laptops and desktop computers. Typically made of plastic or metal, they resemble tiny sliders with an adhesive backing. Once installed, you simply slide it open when you want to use the camera and easily slide it closed when unnecessary. This design is incredibly user-friendly, convenient, and practical. Notably, these webcam covers are slim, ensuring the screen can close even on the thinnest laptops without obstruction. Moreover, for a touch of personalization, you can customize them with your preferred designs.

This is a solution born out of the need for webcam privacy. With its sleek design, practicality, and lightweight nature, it poses no harm to computers and is truly worth having.

2. Sticker Cover

Recommendation Rating: ★★★

Description: This is a simple and quick method of covering. You can use any common stickers, such as labels or other sticky paper pieces, to paste them on the camera. However, it’s recommended to choose stickers that don’t easily leave residue to ensure the camera remains clean. If you want more personality, you can consider customizing your stickers. For instance, turning your company’s logo into webcam cover stickers maintains a unified brand image and looks professional. Alternatively, customizing a sticker with your beloved pet’s picture can bring joy amid a busy workday. But be cautious: avoid stickers that leave residues, as long-term use might damage the camera.

This method is practical, and it offers good value for money. Whether you purchase existing camera stickers in the market or go for personalized customization, both can meet the covering requirement effectively. It’s important to opt for high-quality, non-residue sticker materials.

3. Post-it Note Cover

Recommendation Rating: ★★★

The Post-it cover method is similar to the sticker cover method mentioned earlier. This method is handy if you always have Post-it notes at your office or home. Simply tear off a small piece of the Post-it and stick it onto your laptop or desktop webcam. Since Post-it notes use non-residue adhesive, they are easy to adjust and won’t leave sticky marks on your screen or camera. However, it’s worth noting that the color and thickness of the Post-it might affect its covering capability. Some Post-its are quite thin and translucent, and they might only blur the camera’s view but still capture movements in the background. Moreover, an excessively large Post-it might require trimming to avoid covering the screen. Over time, the stickiness of the Post-it might diminish, increasing the risk of it falling off.

The advantage of this method is its simplicity and convenience, and it’s easily accessible. However, be aware that if the Post-it is too thin, it might not fully cover the camera, and its stickiness might decrease with prolonged use.

4. Tape Cover

Recommendation Rating: ★

Using tape to cover the camera is a more rudimentary way. Just simply use the tape over the webcam. Common transparent tapes are initially ruled out as they don’t effectively block the view and are hard to remove without leaving adhesive residue. The tapes usually used for this purpose are dark, residue-free, like Painter’s or duct tape.

It’s worth noting that this method isn’t recommended. Compared to the previous two methods, the risk of adhesive residue damaging the webcam is higher with tape. Moreover, this method isn’t aesthetically pleasing. This method poses a higher potential risk to the camera and is not visually appealing.

5. Clip-on Cover

Recommendation Rating: ★★★★

With growing concerns about privacy, webcam blockers have emerged. These clip-ons are designed to be both practical and stylish, easily clipping onto the camera of a monitor. Simply slide it aside or remove it when using the webcam. Not only are these clip-ons highly functional, but they can also be customized. You can brand them with your company name, logo, or any other personalized design, giving your device an exclusive touch.

However, there are some limitations. Especially for laptop users, due to the thickness of the clip-on, it must be removed when closing the laptop, necessitating a dedicated storage spot for it.

Overall, this covering method is practical and customizable, offering comprehensive webcam protection for users. However, for those who frequently travel with and use laptops, the convenience of carrying and storing the clip-on should be considered.

Comparison Table

Method	Description	Rating
Sticker Cover	Customizable sticker	★★★
Post-it Note	Non-residual adhesive note	★★★
Tape Cover	Rudimentary tape solution	★
Clip-on Cover	Modern clip-on blocker with customization options	★★★★
Webcam Covers	Designed sliders, customizable, and user-friendly	★★★★★

Conclusion:

While there are various ways to cover a computer’s camera, their effectiveness and aesthetic appeal differ. Whether you opt for a sophisticated webcam cover or a simple sticker, it is essential to be conscious of the risks and take steps to mitigate them.