Privacy concerns alt=see caption|thumb|Tape over the built-in laptop webcam to block spies from viewing activities Many users do not wish the continuous exposure for which webcams were originally intended, but rather prefer privacy. Such privacy is lost when malware allow malicious hackers to activate the webcam without the user's knowledge, providing the hackers with a live video and audio feed. This is a particular concern on many laptop computers, as such cameras normally cannot be physically disabled if hijacked by such a Trojan Horse program or other similar spyware programs.
pRivAcY cOncerns alt=See CaptiOn|thUmb|tape OVEr tHe BuIlT-In LaPTOp WeBcam to bLock spies froM VIeWIng acTivitiES MAny useRs Do NOt WIsH tHe COntiNuoUs EXPosuRe fOR whicH webcams were oriGinALlY IntendeD, but raThEr prefer privACY. sUch PRIvAcy is lost whEn Malware alLoW malIciOUS hACKeRs to activAtE the webCAM without the user's kNowlEDgE, ProVidiNG the hacKers wiTh a lIve VidEo aND audiO FeeD. this is a PArticulAr coNCERn oN mAnY lAptoP cOmpUtErs, as SUch cAMeRaS noRMaLly CaNNoT bE phySiCAlLy diSaBled iF HijACkeD BY such a Trojan hoRse progrAm or OtHer sImilAr spyware prOgRamS.