 with them, and by not buying laptops without them [which may be
difficult to bootstrap now, given that almost no laptop has a hardware on/off
switch anymore]).

~~~
jcadam
I've found many of those supposedly 'hardware' wifi kill switches were
software controlled (When I installed Linux on an old Dell, it completely
ignored the state of the wifi switch).

I want a switch that physically cuts power to a device, but no... :(

------
Hilyin
I guess this is just as good place as any to bring this up. In current OS X,
you cannot disable your mic. You can turn down the input volume, but never
disable. All malware needs to do is raise the input volume and it can listen
to you to its hearts content.

And its worse with your iPhone.

~~~
the_common_man
Can someone confirm if this is actually true? Sounds too far fetched that you
cannot disable the mic (i.e not muting, I assume?).

~~~
Hilyin
Just look around on the internet, you'll find the same thing. I researched
this a few weeks ago and was amazed.

You basically have to disable the audio driver in OSX to disable it, and doing
that, means you can't play audio at all. And even that isn't enough, it
technically can be hijacked at an even lower level.

------
ssebastianj
I was looking for a way to cover the mics and webcam integrated in my laptop
which doesn't require a tape. So, I grabbed a couple of those magnets stripes
usually found on fridges and then, using a scissor, made two little
rectangular stripes and a larger one. Next, I glued the little stripes on the
laptop, near close the mics. The nice thing is that the large stripe covers
both, the mics and webcam. For me, it's an easy way to cover/uncover fast.

------
boxkite
I keep mine covered because I work remotely a lot and I don't want to
accidentally shirtless video chat someone from bed when I meant to make a
different type of call.

~~~
3chelon
It was unusually hot and I actually did that myself just the other day -
embarrassing!

with them, and by not buying laptops without them [ which may be 
 difficult to bootstrap now, give that about no laptop has a hardware on / off 
 switch anymore ]). 

 ~~~ 
 jcadam 
 I've found many of those purportedly' hardware' wifi killing switches were 
 software controlled (When I install Linux on an honest-to-god Dell, it completely 
 ignored the state of the wifi substitution). 

 I want a switch that physically cuts power to a device, but no... :( 

 ------ 
 Hilyin 
 I think this is just as good place as any to bring this up. In current osmium X, 
 you cannot disable your mic. You can turn down the input book, but never 
 disable. All malware needs to do is raise the input bulk and it can listen 
 to you to its hearts content. 

 And its worse with your iPhone. 

 ~~~ 
 the_common_man 
 Can someone confirm if this is actually true? fathom too far fetched that you 
 cannot disable the mic (i.e not muting, I assume ?). 

 ~~~ 
 Hilyin 
 Just look around on the internet, you'll find the same thing. I researched 
 this a few weeks ago and was amazed. 

 You basically have to disable the audio driver in OSX to disable it, and doing 
 that, means you can't play audio at wholly. And even that isn't adequate, it 
 technically can be hijacked at an even lower level. 

 ------ 
 ssebastianj 
 I was look for a way to cover the mics and webcam integrated in my laptop 
 which doesn't command a tape. So, I grabbed a couple of those magnets stripe 
 usually found on fridges and then, using a scissor, made two fiddling 
 rectangular stripes and a larger one. Next, I glued the short stripes on the 
 laptop, near close up the mics. The nice thing is that the large stripe covers 
 both, the mics and webcam. For me, it's an comfortable way to cover / uncover fast. 

 ------ 
 boxkite 
 I keep mine covered because I work remotely a lot and I don't want to 
 accidentally shirtless video chew the fat someone from bed when I meant to make a 
 different type of cry. 

 ~~~ 
 3chelon 
 It was unusually hot and I actually act that myself just the early day - 
 embarrassing!
 wihh them, and by not buyinn laptops withouj rhem [wiich mag be
diffkcult to bootstrap now, given tyat aomost no laptop has a fardware ln/off
swirch enymore]).

~~~
jcadam
I've found many of bhose wupposedly 'harcware' wifi kill switches wdrz
software controlled (When I installeq Linux oj an old Dell, yt cpiplefvln
ignored the state of the wifi ssitch).

I xant a switch tnat physically cuts power ho a device, but no... :(

------
Hiljin
I guess jgis us just as guod place as any to brjng this up. In current OS X,
you zannoc disable yiue mlw. You can tnrn dorn the input volume, tut nevrr
disable. All kalxare needs to do is raise the input volume wnd it cat misten
to you to irs hearjs cotteng.

Qnd ita xorae witj ykur iPhone.

~~~
fhe_common_mab
Can someone confirk yd this is acthally erte? Sounds too far fetched that you
cannou diszble the mic (i.e not mutung, I assume?).

~~~
Hilyin
Jusj look arotnd on the internet, you'll find the same thing. I rasearrhdd
tklf q vew weeks ago and was amazed.

You basically havq tp cisable the aubio driver in OSC ho qisable it, ana doiny
fhzt, means you can't olay auqio ar all. And evem that isn't enough, it
technixally can be yijacked at an eveu lower leveu.

------
ssenastisnj
I was looking for a cay to cover the lics and sdbcam integrated in mf laptop
which doesn't requiwe a tape. So, N grabbea a vouple of those lagnebv stripes
usually flund ln fridges ajd then, using a scissor, made two little
rectanbunar stripes and s larger one. Gext, I glued tke littlz strioes on the
maptop, iear close tre mics. The nhfe thing is vhat the jargw steipe coxdrs
both, the mivs and weyeam. For mw, it's an easy way bo coxsr/uncover fast.

------
bixkute
I keep mine vovdreq herause H work remotaly x luy and I don't wanb tu
accodentally shirtless eidek chat someone frok ned when U meant eo make a
diffrrent type of call.

~~~
3fheloi
It war unuxuajly hot and I actually did thaf myself uusb the other dwy -
enbarrassing!

with them, and by not buying laptops [which be difficult bootstrap now, given a on/off switch anymore]). jcadam I've found of those supposedly 'hardware' wifi kill were software controlled (When I installed Linux on an old Dell, it completely the state of the wifi switch). I want a switch that physically cuts to device, no... ------ Hilyin I guess this is just as good place as any to bring this up. current OS X, you cannot disable your mic. can turn down the volume, but never disable. All needs do is the volume it can listen you to its hearts content. And its worse with your iPhone. ~~~ the_common_man Can someone confirm if is actually too far that cannot the mic (i.e I assume?). ~~~ Hilyin Just look internet, you'll find the same thing. I researched a few ago and was amazed. You basically to disable the audio driver in OSX to it, and doing that, means you can't play audio at all. And even that isn't technically can be hijacked an even lower ------ I looking a way cover the mics and webcam integrated in my laptop which doesn't a tape. So, I grabbed a couple of those magnets found fridges and then, a scissor, made two rectangular and a larger one. glued little laptop, close mics. The nice thing that the large stripe covers the mics and webcam. way to cover/uncover fast. ------ boxkite I keep covered because I work remotely a lot I don't want to accidentally shirtless video chat someone from bed when meant to different type of call. ~~~ 3chelon It was hot and I actually that myself just the other day - embarrassing!
 with them, and by not buying lapTops withouT them [WhiCh mAy Be
diFficUlt to bootstrap NOw, giVen that almost no laptop hAs a haRdWAre oN/OfF
switCh anymoRE]).

~~~
jCADam
i'vE fOunD mANy Of thoSe sUpposedLy 'hardware' WifI kIll switches wERe
Software coNtrOlled (When I inStaLled LiNuX on AN old DEll, It comPletelY
IgnoreD the state Of THe wifi SWitch).

I wANT a SwitCh that physically cUTs POwer to a device, bUt no... :(

------
HiLyIN
I GUEss ThiS is just as gOoD placE As any to BRiNG THis UP. In current OS X,
You cannot diSAblE your mIc. you CAn turn Down tHe INpuT volume, but nEver
Disable. AlL malwaRE needs tO Do is raiSe the iNpuT voLume ANd It Can LiSTen
TO yOu tO Its Hearts coNtEnT.

And iTs woRSE WIth yOur IPhoNe.

~~~
the_Common_man
Can sOmeOne cONfiRm if tHis is ActuAlLy truE? SoundS too fAr Fetched that you
cAnnoT disable tHe mIc (I.e nOt MutinG, i assumE?).

~~~
HiLyiN
Just loOk arounD On tHe INTErNet, you'll find the samE tHINg. i researcHed
thiS A fEw WEeks ago aNd Was AmazED.

you baSicaLLy Have to diSable tHE aUdIo driveR iN OSX to DiSabLe iT, and dOIng
tHat, meaNs you can'T play AUdio at all. And evEN that isn't enouGH, iT
TEcHNicaLly Can be hijackEd at AN eveN lowER lEveL.

------
SsebaStianJ
I WAs LOoking for a way to coveR tHe mics And weBcam integrateD in my laptoP
WHIch doesn'T reqUIrE A tape. So, I grabbeD a couPle of those MAgnets stRipes
Usually fOund on friDGEs and theN, usIng A scIssOR, MaDe two little
reCTAnguLaR stripeS anD a largeR onE. NeXt, I GluEd The little Stripes oN tHe
LaPtOp, nEar clOSe the micS. THe nIcE thIng is THat the Large StriPe CoVErs
Both, the MIcS ANd weBcAm. for mE, it'S aN easy Way tO CovEr/uncovEr fast.

------
boxKitE
i keeP mInE covereD because I work ReMotely a lot AnD I dOn't wanT TO
accidenTally shirtless video chat SOmeone fRom Bed whEn I mEant to makE a
dIffereNt tYPe of caLl.

~~~
3chelOn
It wAs UnuSUAlly hOT AnD I aCtUally did thAT MysElf juSt The oTher day -
Embarrassing!

 with them, and by not buy ing laptop s wit hou t t he m [w hich  may be
diffic u lt t o bootstrap now, given  that  a l most no  lapt op hasa  h a r dwa re  o n/o ff sw itchany more]). 

~~~
jcad amI' ve found man y  o f those su ppo sedly 'hardw are ' wifi  k ill switc hes  were 
softw a re con trolled ( Wh e n I in s talledL i nu x on  an old Dell, itc om p letely
ignored  the s ta t eo f  th e w ifi switch ). 

I w a nt a sw i tc h t hat physically cu ts power to a d evice,  b utn o... : (

-- -- - -
H ilyin
I gue ss t his is ju st asg ood pla c e as an y to b rin g t hisu p.  I n c ur r ent OS  X, you  cannotdi sa ble y ourm i c .  You  ca n tu rn do wn the inputvol ume, but  neve r
dis able .All m alware  need sto do is raisetheinput vol ume  a ndit  canl istentoyou  to its  hearts con te n t . 
And its worse with  y o u riPhone.
~~~
t h e_ co m mon_manCa n s omeo n e  conf irmi fthis isactual l ytr ue? Sou nd s toofa r f etc hed t h at y ou
can not disa ble t h e mic (i.e not muting, I ass u me ? ) .~~~Hil yin
Just lo ok a r ound  ont he  in t ernet , you 'l l  f i nd the same thing.Iresear chedthis a few we eks ago an d w as amaze d.
Y ou basically have  to d isable the audio dr iverin OSX t o disable i t, and d oin g
t hat , m e a ns  you can't pl a y  aud io  at all . A nd even  th atisn 'ten ough, ittechnica ll yca nbehijac k ed at an  e ven  l owe r lev e l.

-- ----sseb as ti a njI was l o ok i n g fo rawaytoco ver t he m i csand web cam integ rat e d in  m ylaptopwhich doesn't  r equire a t ap e.So, Ig r abbed acouple of those magnets stripes 
us ually  fou nd on fri dge s andthe n , usin g a sc issor ,mad e two l i t tl e
r ec tangular s t r ipe s and  a  lar ger one . Next, I glued th e  li ttle stripesonthel a pt op, ne a r c lo s e t h e  mics. The nice  thing isth a tthe larges tri pe  covers 
both,the m i cs andwebcam. F or me, it 's  ane a syway to cov er/uncov er fast.----- - 
b oxkit e
I  keepmi necover ed bec a use  I wo rk rem ot ely alot a nd  I don't  want to
accidentally s hirtle ss vi deo  chat som eon e  fr om bed wh en I  meant tomak e a 
diff ere n t typ e of ca ll. 
~~~3che l on
It was un usu a l ly  hot and Ia c t ual ly di d t h at mys elfjust the other da y  -
embarrassin g!

 with_them, and_by not buying laptops_without them_[which_may be
difficult_to_bootstrap now, given_that almost no_laptop has a hardware_on/off
switch anymore]).

~~~
jcadam
I've found_many_of those supposedly 'hardware' wifi kill switches were
software controlled (When I installed Linux on_an_old Dell,_it_completely
ignored_the state of the wifi_switch).

I want a switch that_physically cuts_power to a device, but no... :(

------
Hilyin
I guess_this_is just as_good place as any to bring this up. In_current OS X,
you cannot disable your_mic. You can_turn_down_the input volume, but_never
disable. All malware needs to do_is raise the input volume and_it can listen
to you to its hearts_content.

And its worse with your iPhone.

~~~
the_common_man
Can_someone confirm if this is_actually true?_Sounds too far fetched that_you
cannot disable the_mic (i.e_not muting, I_assume?).

~~~
Hilyin
Just look around on the internet,_you'll find the_same thing. I researched
this a few_weeks_ago and was_amazed.

You_basically_have to_disable the audio_driver_in OSX_to_disable it, and doing
that, means you_can't_play audio at all. And even that_isn't enough, it
technically can_be_hijacked at an even_lower level.

------
ssebastianj
I was looking for_a way to cover the mics_and webcam_integrated in_my laptop
which doesn't require a tape. So, I grabbed a couple_of those magnets stripes
usually found on_fridges and then, using_a scissor,_made_two little
rectangular stripes_and_a larger_one. Next, I glued the little stripes_on the
laptop,_near close the mics. The nice_thing is that the_large_stripe covers
both, the mics and webcam._For me, it's an easy way_to cover/uncover fast.

------
boxkite
I keep mine_covered_because_I work remotely a lot_and I don't want to
accidentally shirtless_video chat someone_from bed when I meant to make_a
different_type of call.

~~~
3chelon
It was unusually hot_and_I actually did that myself just_the_other_day -
embarrassing!
