Hi-Tech Peeping Tom Spys on Girls' Webcams

[Jeff]

Most of us have experienced problems with a computer at one time or another. When University of Florida student Marisel Garcia starting having problems with her laptop, her friends recommended a fellow student known for his computer repair skill.

Fellow student Craig Matthew Feigin did fix her computer, but gave her more than she asked for when he surreptitiously installed two additional pieces of software onto her machine: Log Me In and Web Cam Spy Hacker. With this software, Feigin was able to remotely activate her computer's built-in webcam, recording over 20,000 images of the unsuspecting Marisel.

Marisel became suspicious because of the light that would come on indicating that the webcam was activated, and noticed that the battery was draining faster than usual. She had a trusted friend check her computer and they discovered the software.

Feigin has been arrested late last week by Gainesville police, where he apparently admitted to installing the software on other women's computers too. "We have eight or nine more potential victims that we know of now," Gainesville Police detective Joseph Mayo told the Gainesville Sun. He is charged with modifying computer data and disrupting or denying computer system services which, according to Florida Statute 815.06 on computer-related crimes, could be treated as a felony and punishable by prison time.

This serves as a warning. Be careful when taking your computer in for repair. Use a reputable shop that you trust. Better yet, educate yourself on how to maintain your PC.

[Philip]

Great topic there, Jeff. Computer users have to be cautious, especially with the wide availability of rogue software on the Web. Keep your firewall, antivirus, antispyware, rootkit detectors etc. fully updated and USE them. And as Jeff mentioned in his closing, choose someone you know for repairs, or learn the ropes yourself.