Webcam came on with HP Support Assistant

Hazel123 · Jan 31, 2023

So my "new to me" HP Spectre X360 just did something. A black flash like a terminal window and a notification that HP support assistant had just turned on the webcam. I have now found the switch to turn off the webcam/privacy setting. But does this mean HP Support Assistant has just photographed me?!!!!

DigitalGoat · Jan 31, 2023

Hazel123 said:
So my "new to me" HP Spectre X360 just did something. A black flash like a terminal window and a notification that HP support assistant had just turned on the webcam. I have now found the switch to turn off the webcam/privacy setting. But does this mean HP Support Assistant has just photographed me?!!!!

Doubt it, but you can always ask HP, in theory they have to tell you, depending on local privacy and freedom of data request laws.
HP support assistant may well open the webcam for video conference style tech support, again ask HP/ user forums for details.

There used to be a scam years ago (might still be around) where a web popup activated the webcam, showed the image of you at your PC and stated a capture had been made and would be passed to the local authorities/ family members/ employer etc. if you didn't pay a ransom.
An image was rarely actually captured and probably never uploaded since this was just a popup window with no actual power beyond triggering the camera.
This type of extortion scam was mainly linked to porn sites, for obvious reasons.

I don't think this is what happened in your case, but be aware that almost anything can access an active webcam, a bit of masking tape over the lens is a good idea if there isn't a mechanical privacy screen fitted.

spapakons · Jan 31, 2023

Probably the webcam was switched on automatically when launching HP Support Assistant to check its functionality. No photo was taken. Just switch off the camera again or disable it from Device Manager.

I would worry more if the webcam was activated while the computer was idle. Remember the "Police virus"? It took a photo through the webcam supposedly by local police, then locked your computer and demanded ransom to unlock it. Of course it never unlocked it. Fortunately it was a little malware running at startup. All we had to do was restart in safe mode and delete the offending file.

Hazel123 · Jan 31, 2023

It was idle! I had just turned the computer on. It was only recently set up from factory settings the other day so I doubt there is any malware. Although I guess if it has someone else's SSD drive in.............. But virus scans all showed clear after initial set up. I had actually thought to wipe the drive after doing my initial system image but then realised the initial system image would presumably retain some data from the old drive anyway?

There is no privacy screen but there is a privacy button and have turned that off now. When I turned it on again just now I had another kind of pop up flash on the screen and disappear again that said Amazon. It is a touchscreen and wondering if I touched something. If it's a bit sensitive. But I don't have any Amazon shortcuts.

I was intending to upgrade the drive at some point but didn't need that straight away. I wouldn't call it a pop up exactly as it doesn't stay there - a Window flashes and then goes away again. First time it was a terminal window flashed and went then the notification about the webcam. Second time it was an Amazon site flashed up but no notification - by then I had turned the webcam privacy button on.

LeLibran · Jan 31, 2023

@Hazel123

Hazel123 said:
So my "new to me" HP Spectre X360 just did something. A black flash like a terminal window and a notification that HP support assistant had just turned on the webcam. I have now found the switch to turn off the webcam/privacy setting. But does this mean HP Support Assistant has just photographed me?!!!!

IME if all the all the HP Helper software is installed on your 'new to you' Spectre, software updates come through fairly regularly at least until the support period ends. If the HP Support Assistant switched on the webcam, I would suspect that it did so to ensure that it was ready to be used if the 'online chat' support feature was used, possibly after an automatic update and I'm sure you've already found Windows Settings screen which shows which apps have asked for/been granted permission to use/control the camera.

Did you use the software switch in the Windows Settings, or the physical (hardware) privacy switch on the R/H side of the x360? If I remember correctly when using the hardware switch to disable the webcam feature, you are likely to receive a Windows warning at some stage that the webcam is not working, which you can dismiss permanently with the "don't ask again" option ticked.

Hazel123 · Jan 31, 2023

The hardware switch at the side of the computer. The Amazon flash popup was a bit strange today.

LeLibran · Jan 31, 2023

Possibly worth double checking the Windows Privacy & Security Settings Screen to ensure that all access previously granted to apps has been disabled to stop software requests. If it's an Amazon Refurb. then there may be some 'helpful' presets.

Hazel123 · Jan 31, 2023

Yes good point. Notifications etc. Not a refurb - just one previous owner. It might be some advertising thing. The webcam coming on was really strange though. HP support assistant showed it had messages in the task bar but I hadn't clicked on anything. It is straight after start up.

Winuser · Jan 31, 2023

When I had laptops that didn't have on/off switches for the cameras, I used these. There was no way I was going to let someone I didn't know, take my pic. Amazon.com : laptop camera cover

Winuser · Jan 31, 2023

@Hazel123, Did the Camera Light come on? I Don't think an outside source can activate a camera without the light coming on.

garlin · Jan 31, 2023

If you recently resetted to factory settings, the pre-installed HP Support Assistant would be outdated. HPSA is designed to be upgraded by Windows Update, and probably installed a newer version.

Look on Settings / Apps / Installed Apps, and confirm if HPSA's last installed date matches up.

Edwin · Jan 31, 2023

The Amazon pop up is disturbing!

Hazel123 · Jan 31, 2023

Winuser said:
@Hazel123, Did the Camera Light come on? I Don't think an outside source can activate a camera without the light coming on.

Yes. I turned on the computer. The desktop opened - a black window flashed (like a terminal window but gone in a second), the webcam light came on and a notification appeared saying HP Support Assistant activated the webcam. I could see on the taskbar that HP support assistant had a yellow blob next to it. So opened that and it was just standard blurb messages and trying to sell you things.

The next time I turned the computer on Another window flashed and gone again in a second - with Amazon on. Which is when I looked up how to turn the webcam off (via the side switch). Haven't had any since yet.

Good point about HP Support Assistant - but it had the lastest version.
The computer was in OOB state on arrival so I just set it up. I think all windows updates and other updates were done before it was reset to factory settings, just before it was posted to me, as everything was up to date (and the reset function saves/includes any updates done).

I've scanned with Norton and malwarebytes and nothing found. Since then I've turned off some notifications in settings. Maybe HP Support assistant did a thing - no idea why. But really not sure why an Amazon window would flash like that.

DigitalGoat · Feb 1, 2023

It is possible that the reset process, if modified by HP, sets up an Amazon shopping link for the installed browser or in a Start Menu folder as a 'convenience' for you, that may explain the brief command window you saw.
It may be not so much malicious as just overreaching on their part.

Hazel123 · Feb 1, 2023

I think the Amazon flashing pop up is solved. It did it again when I turned it on today and I think it's Alexa. The flash pop up window said Amazon Alexa. There is an Alexa app installed and I did sign into it because have a few Alexa gadgets in the house - just to see if it was of any use. But yes I think it is overreaching a bit! I might sign out of it again. I am not happy that HP support assistant turned on the webcam and looked at me! I have had issues with HP Support Assistant before on another computer and uninstalled it. But then had to reinstall it again for driver updates etc.

Hazel123 · Feb 1, 2023

Where is "turn off background apps" on Windows 11? I've been using 10 more recently.

WXC · Feb 1, 2023

Hazel123 said:
Where is "turn off background apps" on Windows 11? I've been using 10 more recently.

Enable or Disable Background Apps in Windows 11

Hazel123 · Feb 1, 2023

Thanks! So hidden away in nested menus then. This is ridiculous. From what I can see you have to go to advanced settings for each app individually to set it not to run in the background! That would take ages. Or am I missing something. I'll read the link again.

Webcam came on with HP Support Assistant

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