Facebook exec Mark Zuckerberg may be one of Earth's most powerful figures with over a billion users actively connected to the world's largest social networking site. However, he is as vulnerable as anyone else to cyber-espionage that's why he intentionally covers his laptop's camera and microphone.
In picture recently making rounds on Twitter, a user on the micro-blogging platform named Chris Olsen showed Zuckerberg a crafted Instagram-inspired wooden frame with his laptop in the background. The 32-year old CEO is celebrating Instagram's latest milestone after reaching 500 million monthly active users. But a closer look at the image reveals that Zuckerberg covers his device's webcam and mic with a tape.
"I think Zuckerberg is sensible to take these precautions. As well as intelligence agencies and conventional online criminals who might be interested in targeting his billions, there are no doubt plenty of mischievous hackers who would find it amusing to spy upon such a high-profile figure," Graham Cluley, an online security expert and consultant as quoted by New York Times.
As reported by Gizmodo, highly-skilled hackers can break in to any electronic device hooked up to the internet like a laptop and take control many of its features like the camera. So, it's second to nature for Zuckerberg not to fall prey to any hacking by covering his MacBook's cam and audio jack. It is quite interesting to see how the young CEO of a company often accused of privacy issues is equally concerned of his own privacy.
Apparently, Zuckerberg isn't the only one so paranoid with his privacy. Others like FBI's director, James Comey, think that it's better safe than sorry especially in this day and age when digital insecurity has become a persistent threat in our lives.
"I put a piece of tape over the camera because I saw somebody smarter than I am had a piece of tape over their camera," the FBI director said as quoted by the Guardian.
Should we imitate Zuckerberg? Well, it doesn't hurt doing so. It's probably a healthy form of paranoia to minimize the damage when someone does break into your digital security.
