Debian 7 my web cam goes Live every 10-15 min Im not using skype or cheese ?

Vido · 10-10-2014, 07:58 PM

Hey guys,

This days I have nightmares, dont know what to do and how to investigate this.
Right now as Im writing this my web cam led is go "live" for ~3-4 sec and as I said earlier Im not using any software that can "record" from web cam. My skype is not started only my browser Iceweasel is and I doubt that somehow some site/flash plugin is using my web cam, I have many tabs opened and dont know what/who exactly is using my web cam and is there a way to find out ? Can I run something to monitor and capture which proces is using my web cam ?

Many tnx in advice, I hope so that this is only some bug somewhere

jefro · 10-10-2014, 08:09 PM

Wireshare maybe or other network snooping recording such tools. It shouldn't go live.

I'd assume top could show many processes.

Be sure you also consider using your modem or routers tools to secure your system.

frankbell · 10-10-2014, 10:19 PM

Until you figure this out, cover your webcam with a sock or a folded index card or whatever works for you. I keep a folded index card over the webcam on my laptop because I almost never use it and I don't want to worry about this sort of stuff, though I doubt anyone is interested in what I do in webcam view.

I've been cautious about webcams ever since this.

Vido · 10-11-2014, 04:25 AM

@jefro I tried Wireshark and there is "so much" traffic going on so its difficult to see anything, I tried Sys Monitor and there is no new process in list when led on cam lights up

@Frankbell I will do that for now, it seams nothing else remain to do

unSpawn · 10-12-2014, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vido

Right now as Im writing this my web cam led is go "live" for ~3-4 sec and as I said earlier Im not using any software that can "record" from web cam. (..) dont know what/who exactly is using my web cam and is there a way to find out ? Can I run something to monitor and capture which proces is using my web cam ?

First reflex actually should be to look at the logs: system logs, Xorg log, xsession-errors for any clues. If that doesn't show anything check with 'lsmod' what modules are loaded, see if you can spot the webcam driver and check if it allows for debug mode. Unload the driver, set the option in /etc/modprobe*, load the driver and see if it spills nfo. If that doesn't show anything check 'dmesg' output, and if that doesn't show anything hardware detection / webcam / module-related either try to blacklist the webcam driver and ponder sending diagnostic nfo to the developer to have things fixed. Note blacklisting effectively stops you from using your webcam but by then its prolly easier to write an enable/disable script...

propofol · 10-13-2014, 02:22 AM

Have you tried lsof:

Code:

#lsof /dev/video0

Vido · 10-13-2014, 12:44 PM

Tnx for advices, u listed many things, firs I need to "get familiar" with all of that, its not easy to jump in just like that but I have time and patience

Yes I writed little bash that came handy

Code:

#!/bin/bash

while :
do
    if [[ `lsof /dev/video0` ]]
    then
        break
    fi
    sleep 0.5
done
echo "`lsof /dev/video0`"
echo "done"

but when camera started there was nothing from it, and yes I tested it with starting chesse and it worked so its seams and I do not how
camera was starte without accsessing /dev/video0 and Im not sure in what Im looking at right now, I will try this sugestions asap tnx once again