4 reasons I threw away my laptop's camera cover

Now, there are hundreds of options when it comes to cheap plastic webcam covers available everywhere from Amazon to local retailers. But even though they sound like cheap and easy protection, are they really doing more good than harm? Here's why you should think twice before sticking that webcam cover on your laptop.

Webcam covers can cause hardware damage

The most obvious danger

Covering your webcam may alleviate some fears right off the bat -- even if you don't understand the obscure software processes behind camera exploits. No amount of software can see through a low-tech, opaque barrier you place in front of it. However, that barrier itself can be a danger to your laptop.

Computers are thinner and lighter than ever. If you tack a plastic webcam cover onto the lid of your computer, the extra bulk will disrupt the tight tolerances between the keyboard and the display components. Closing the laptop with that added bulk presses directly into the display assembly, stressing the glass and panel layers, and can damage the entire screen at worst.

Not to mention, adhesives are not something to play around with on your computer display. Residue can damage the layers of coating protecting your screen or even leave gunk all over your camera. Not even filters might be able to help you in time for your next meeting.

Webcam covers can interfere with your display features

It blocks natural light sensors

Many modern laptops have ambient light sensors inside or near their cameras to track your environment's brightness and adjust the display automatically. Unless you've played with your display settings, this is usually on by default. In fact, the transitions are so smooth you might not even notice them -- until the moment you slap a webcam cover over that bezel.

This was actually the reason why I tossed my webcam cover after only a month. My screen would subtly become too dim to see if a cloud passed in front of my window, and it only took a few days of overcast weather to turn me against it.

Blocking the camera area can also interfere with your display's color temperature, often referred to as True Tone on Macs. If you're ever editing photos or doing graphic design work, it's a nightmare to deal with constantly shifting hues and tints. If you're a Canva queen like I am, webcam covers are definitely not for you.

You can turn off automatic display brightness and color temperature adjustments in your settings, but I find it's one of those features that noticeably improves your experience without you even realizing it.

The 'little green light' tells you when the camera is on

And it's hardwired to the camera on Macs

A reason why I'm so comfortable in Apple's walled garden is because of its commitment to privacy. If you have a newer MacBook, you've probably noticed the little green light that activates whenever your camera is on (which also happens on an iPhone or iPad). Apple claims the webcam is "engineered so that it can't activate without the camera indicator light also turning on." Since the camera and the light are hardwired together, the camera can't get power without the light receiving it as well.

But note: malware can still access the camera -- you just should see the light, unless the malware exploits hardware-level vulnerabilities (which aren't common in the wild).

Am I saying it's impossible for bad actors to turn off that reassuring green light? No. Like I said, they're good at finding new workarounds to exploit your data. While there currently aren't any known software bypasses to turn off the green light on Macs, that doesn't mean your fears should be completely alleviated -- especially if you're using an older computer that doesn't have this hardwired protection.

This leads me to my next point, which is that webcam hacking is a very sophisticated attack and isn't nearly as prevalent as easier scams.

Webcam hijacking is a targeted attack

You're much more likely to encounter phishing or other scams

Webcam hackers don't usually cast a wide net with their attacks. Unlike phishing -- where attempts are often sent out en masse via text or email -- hacking a webcam requires substantially advanced techniques and planning that a bad actor isn't going to waste on the average person. Plus, it almost always requires having some kind of malware already installed on your device.

Now, if that person isn't so random -- say, Mark Zuckerberg or the FBI Director -- that's something to pay attention to. If your occupation or situation gives you access to sensitive data, that's when you may have some grounds to be wary of a targeted attack. Some workplaces even require webcam coverage, but unless that's your situation, you don't necessarily need to worry about this kind of attack plaguing your day. But if you think you've been a victim of stalking and are concerned about your webcam's integrity, treat it seriously: update your device, scan for malware, and reach out to law enforcement or a digital security expert.

For an added layer of protection on the software side of things, you can choose which apps have access to your laptop's webcam and microphone in your system's settings.