Hackers (or Ratters) Hijack Your Webcam to Secretly Watch and Record You

It never ceases to amaze us with the new and creative ways in which hackers find ways to victimize computer users all around the world. With that said, a new type of hacker called 'Ratters', a term taken from them utilizing Remote Access Tools (R.A.T.) or Remote Administration Tools, is on the prowl seeking to use your webcam as a means of spying on you. The captured images or videos are then posted online through channels like YouTube calling the victimized computer user their slaves to be openly traded through such channels on the Internet.

The idea and practice of compromising a computer and then obtaining control of the system is nothing new. Over the course of several years, or as long as computer viruses have spread over the Internet, hackers have been able to take over machines to do their dirty work. It is not until just recently have we seen a new rash of remote attackers be so open about them sharing and trading access to enslaved computers. Even on various online forums the population of Ratters has exploded where many have publicized details on how they use Remote Access Tools to activate webcams capturing images of videos of their claimed 'female slaves'.

The video below is a brief news synopsis from Yahoo News about Ratters and their spying intentions. In a way, it is extremely scary how R.A.T.s can get on your computer, though you can get your RAT-traps ready by downloading and installing the latest antispyware application. Additionally, the video gives quick tips for on how to avoid Ratters and your privacy.

This voyeuristic aspect of Ratters is probably a big amoral part of the scam. Though, hackers or Ratters aren't in the business of playing to your emotional tunes by taking it easy on your feelings, you still should brush up on your latest computer security threats so you may take proactive steps to avoid becoming their next victim. Ratters, in more ways than one, are in this business to ultimately wreak havoc and to get paid at your expense.

Basically, Ratters are using scare tactics first using the videos or images found on a compromised system's hard drive or even going as far as enabling an attached webcam to record the user. Then, the images or video footage is revealed to the user along with using text-to-speech announcements and even opening and closing their DVD drives all in an attempt to prove that someone else is in control. Essentially, victimized computer users will be at the mercy of Ratters who take their malicious actions this far.

Unauthorized access to a computer is something that law officials do not tolerate if and when the culprits are caught. Unfortunately, catching the cybercrook, or in this case a Ratter, it usually requires being in close proximity to victims. Of course, cybercrime units are busier than ever in their attempt to bait and capture Ratters, but the fishing game continues to be a battle against the waves and random acts of Ratters.

Speaking of random acts, Ratters are known to infect victim's systems through many different ways. The remote access tools used are wielded much like computer viruses spreading through drive-by-downloads, file downloads from torrent sites, malicious social media links, and file-sharing sites. One of the few ways of avoiding the inevitable trap, because we all utilize some of these legitimate services in one form or another, is to run and keep antivirus or antispyware software updated.