Mac Monday: PA School Spies on Students via Mandatory MacBooks
The unfolding controversy surrounding the unauthorized remote activation of student webcams is on track to establish legal precedent in a contentious net neutrality debate. The trouble started when Lower Merion student Blake Robbins was disciplined for "improper behavior in the home" and presented with a snapshot from the iSight camera mounted on his Apple laptop computer as evidence. The MacBook in question was required for class and came pre-loaded with Apple Remote Desktop and a network surveillance tool called LANrev. Although several students reported their webcam lights turning on at random, they were prohibited from tampering with the computers under threat of expulsion. The Robbins' contacted an attorney upon receipt of the disciplinary screen capture, and although the principal claims the remote access features are strictly anti-theft provision, they have clearly been abused. The FBI has begun investigating district officials for illegal wire-tapping and computer privacy offenses, and 2 years worth of evidence has revealed 42 separate incidents involving laptop webcams.
Although these specific accusations could be attributed to overzealous network administrators, remote access is a key tool in the repertoire of malicious software programs. While common bugs and bots might log your keystrokes to learn your passwords and account numbers, a skilled attacker could gain nearly unlimited access to your system. While the constitutionality of warrantless cell phone location tracking awaits a Supreme Court decision, make sure your personal data is protected from the prying eyes of online predators. Student Experts offers a Security and Prevention service, during which we will load antivirus, anti-spyware, anti-malware and firewall applications on your computer to make sure you are protected from the latest threats, as well as optional training to avoid high-risk activity. Keep Big Brother out with Student Experts and check out live surveillance footage of a random (consenting) webcam user with Chat Roulette.
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