Years ago, my coworkers were curious about why I covered my laptop’s webcam—until they watched a disturbing video of a hacker using a remote access trojan (RAT) to spy on two people as they slept. After that, they quickly followed suit, taping over their own webcam lenses.
But while blocking your camera is a smart precaution, it’s not enough to stop cybercriminals from spying on you. If you truly want to secure your privacy, you also need to disable your microphone. Malware that hijacks a webcam feed can just as easily record audio, as cybersecurity company Kaspersky recently pointed out. While hackers can steal all kinds of personal data, unauthorized access to your microphone and camera is among the most invasive. Fortunately, protecting yourself from this threat is simple and quick.
One of the easiest ways to block unauthorized microphone access is by using a headset with an integrated mic that includes a mute button. Even if the mic itself is broken, as long as Windows still detects it as an active input device, it can effectively block the built-in microphone. Simply plug in the headset, mute it, and verify in Windows’ Sound settings (Sound settings > Input) that it has taken over as the primary mic. In most cases, Windows automatically switches to the new device. To confirm the microphone is muted, test it within the Sound settings. On Windows 11, select the mic and check the Microphone test option. Windows 10 users can do this directly from the main Sound settings page.
For an even stronger safeguard, you can manually disable the microphone in Windows settings. In Windows 11, navigate to Sound settings, scroll down to Input, select your microphone, and press Don’t allow under Audio. On Windows 10, go to Sound settings, select Device properties, and check the Disable box. This method is perfect if you rarely use your laptop’s built-in microphone or external mics. If you need to re-enable it later, Windows 11 users can go to Sound settings > [your device] > Audio and click Allow, while Windows 10 users should navigate to Sound settings > Input, choose Manage sound devices, locate the disabled mic, and hit Enable.
If you have multiple input devices, you can disable specific ones you don’t use. For example, I personally disable the microphone on my Logitech C920 webcam connected to my desktop because its audio quality is poor. Doing so reduces the number of options I need to scroll through when adjusting my sound settings. Desktop users generally don’t have to worry about built-in microphones, but those with all-in-one PCs should check their settings to see if an active mic is present.
Of course, the most effective way to prevent spying is to avoid getting malware in the first place. Keeping your antivirus software up to date, steering clear of suspicious websites, and being cautious about downloads are all essential precautions. Some malicious sites can install malware through drive-by downloads, and files obtained through torrents—including certain “Linux distros”—may come with hidden surprises.
But if all else fails, taking steps to limit access to your laptop’s camera and microphone adds an extra layer of protection. And at the very least, these precautions can save you from the embarrassment of unintentionally broadcasting background conversations during a work meeting.