Are Criminals using Skype to Spy on You? Robert Siciliano www.Intelius.com

19 Feb 2010 · 2 min

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This content was created by Robert Siciliano. This content was uploaded by Robert Siciliano. This is a YouTube video (titled "Are Criminals using Skype to Spy on You? Robert Siciliano www.Intelius.com") from February 19, 2010 presenting a news/consumer report called the "Cyber Cafe." The excerpt is a diarized transcript of a live TV segment: anchors Katie (and Jim, referenced) introduce reporter Monica Morales who reports via Skype about security and privacy risks of Skype. Security expert Robert Siciliano appears in the segment explaining how attackers can remotely access webcams and conversations; an on-site speaker (labeled SPEAKER C) and studio banter are also included. The piece discusses risks of eavesdropping/remote control and gives practical advice (rebooting, antivirus/anti-spyware, frequent password changes) and warnings about sharing intimate content.

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conversation. But is it really that private? And is it safe? Well, tonight Monica Morales is at the Cyber Cafe with a look at the security concerns regarding Skyping. Monica.
Hi, Katie and Jim. I'm joining you via Skype, as you can see. It's great. You can talk to anyone at any time around the world. But just like a phone call or email, it can get hacked. Someone could be listening to your private conversation. Hey, get out of here. So beware, someone could be watching. You're Skyping with friends, family, a loved one, when it's a personal conversation or a coworker for an important project. But have you ever wondered if someone could listen in on your call and see what you're doing?
Who's looking at you and what are you doing?
We asked a security expert on Skype that exact question, and get this, anyone with the right software and the wrong attitude can intrude.
Because of this always-on technology, it's cheap, it's easy to use, somebody can remotely control and access your machine, gaining access to your Skype, and they can watch what you do and they can listen to what you do all day long.
Skype is a free online service which allows users to do a live web chat, pretty much a live shot on your laptop. And it's now become quite popular. It's even become the topic of jokes in movies. Like "It's Complicated." Steve Martin is Skyping with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin unknowingly Skypes while naked. A hilarious but embarrassing moment. While that was an accident, some say there's real concerns.
Even if, come on, if a person wants to listen to what people have to say like that, then I only pity them, you know. Like, really?
So how do you protect yourself from prying eyes on Skype? Well, first, reboot your computer after every use. Even turn off your modem to be extra careful. Next, protect your computer by getting antivirus, anti-spyware. The most important thing though is change your password every few weeks. Don't use the same password for every account that you have. Mix it up so cyber peepers can't get a look. Okay, so we're out of the cyber world now. We're in the Cyber Cafe on the West Side. Probably people Skyping behind me right now as we speak. Now you've heard of sexting while there's hot Skyping. That's right. With these security concerns, probably not a good idea, Heidi, right? You could be on YouTube. Back to you.
Oh no, we don't want that. Mm-mm, not a good idea.