Our Kaspersky warned us that a browser was trying to access the webcam, hence we decided to write this post.
We are going to discuss steps for each of these web browsers to block them from accessing your camera or microphone.
How do I stop Chrome from accessing Camera and Microphone?
To prevent Google Chrome from accessing webcam or mic in Windows 11/10, here are the main steps you need to follow: Firstly, launch the Google Chrome browser, and in the address bar, type chrome://settings/content and press the Enter button. This will open up Chrome’s Site Settings page. Next, on the Site settings page, scroll down to the Permissions section. Here, you can set permissions for location, microphone, camera, notifications, and others.
Now, to disable the webcam access permission, click on the Camera option. On the next page, you can set up camera permission and settings. You will be able to see a Don’t allow sites to use your camera option here. Simply turn on this option to block Chrome from accessing your webcam and then go back to the previous Site settings page.
After that, simply click on the Microphone option and then enable the Don’t allow sites to use your microphone.
Google Chrome will now be blocked from accessing your microphone or camera in Windows 11/10. You also customize these permissions for specific websites if you want. Read: Configure Camera & Microphone in Windows Defender Application
Prevent Firefox from accessing Webcam or Mic
You can also prevent Mozilla Firefox from accessing webcam or mic on Windows 11/10. You can follow the below steps for that: Simply open the Firefox browser and click on the three-bar menu button from the top-right corner. Then, select the Settings option. On the Firefox Settings page, navigate to the Privacy & Security tab and locate the Permissions section. You will see various permission options under the Permissions section. Click on the Settings button present next to the Camera option.
Now, enable the Block new requests asking to access your camera checkbox and then press on the Save Changes button.
Similarly, you can block Firefox from accessing the microphone. Go back to the Permission settings page and tap on the Settings button present next to Microphone. After that, turn on the Block new requests asking to access your microphone option and then click on the Save Changes button. From now onwards, your Firefox browser will not be able to access your microphone or camera until you change the settings. See: How to use Webcam on Xbox One for Video or with Microphone
Stop Edge from accessing Webcam or Mic
Here are the steps to follow to block the Microsoft Edge browser from accessing your camera or microphone on Windows 11/10: Firstly, open Microsoft Edge and click on the three-dot menu button present at the top-right corner. From multiple options, click on the Settings option. Now, go to the Cookies and sites permissions tab, and then from the right-side panel, scroll down to the All permissions section.
Next, tap on the Camera option and then turn off the Ask before accessing (recommended) option. This will block Edge to access your webcam.
Now, go back to the previous page i.e., the Site settings page, and then select the Microphone option. After that, toggle the Ask before accessing (recommended) option off. This will disable microphone access on Edge.
If you decide to allow Microsoft Edge access to your mic or camera, your can turn on the above option. Read: How to disable, turn off or mute the Microphone in Windows?
How do I stop a website using my Camera or Microphone on Microsoft Edge?
To stop a specific website from using your camera or microphone in Edge, you can follow the below steps: Firstly, launch the Microsoft Edge browser and open the website that you want to prevent from accessing your mic or webcam. Now, click on the lock icon present next to the website address in the address bar. From multiple options, click on the Permissions for this site option. A new tab will open up to set up permissions for the current website.
Here, click on the drop-down button present next to the Camera or Microphone option. And, select the Block option. This will block camera or microphone permissions for this specific website.
Similarly, you can also block a website from accessing your camera or mic on Microsoft Edge. See: How to turn off Camera when joining Zoom Meeting
Can someone spy on me through my laptop camera?
Webcams are vulnerable to hacking just like any other tech device. If an unauthorized entity has gained access to your computer resources including your webcam, the adversary can spy on you and the people around you. To get access to a user’s webcam, attackers make use of Trojan horse malware or Remote Access Technology (RAT). However, you can avoid such attacks and prevent yourself from being watched through your computer. Just observe any suspicious activity like mouse cursor is moving without touching, or screen keeps blinking every now and then, or there is some suspicious background process running in the Task Manager. All these are signs of someone spying on you through your camera. Hope this helps! Now read:
Your browser is preventing access to your microphone – Zoom errorStop users from changing Camera or Microphone preferences in Windows.
