So I was told straight out that my phone was hacked and they have my camera. They take pictures and video of me as well as copy all my information but I need to be able to prove it and I don’t know how. In order to press charges!! Can anyone help.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Hacked camera confession
iPhone 13
Back_Creek_Yankee wrote:
So I was told straight out that my phone was hacked and they have my camera. They take pictures and video of me as well as copy all my information
Who told you this? This sounds very similar to a common phishing scam called "sextortion."
U.K. National Cyber Security Centre – Sextortion phishing scams: How to protect yourself
"The criminals behind these attacks do not know if you have a webcam, or know if you've visited adult websites. They are attempting to scare their victims into paying a ransom, and will send millions of emails in the hope that someone will pay. They'll often include technical sounding details to make the email sound convincing."
FYI, iPhones let you control which apps have control to hardware features like the camera and microphone. While apps often try to get you to give permissions to do various things, you can review the permissions, and deny them to apps that you do not trust.
Control access to hardware features on iPhone - Apple Support
The iPhone will also display a little green dot when the camera is in use, or a little orange one when the microphone is in use.
Back_Creek_Yankee wrote:
So I was told straight out that my phone was hacked and they have my camera. They take pictures and video of me as well as copy all my information
Who told you this? This sounds very similar to a common phishing scam called "sextortion."
U.K. National Cyber Security Centre – Sextortion phishing scams: How to protect yourself
"The criminals behind these attacks do not know if you have a webcam, or know if you've visited adult websites. They are attempting to scare their victims into paying a ransom, and will send millions of emails in the hope that someone will pay. They'll often include technical sounding details to make the email sound convincing."
FYI, iPhones let you control which apps have control to hardware features like the camera and microphone. While apps often try to get you to give permissions to do various things, you can review the permissions, and deny them to apps that you do not trust.
Control access to hardware features on iPhone - Apple Support
The iPhone will also display a little green dot when the camera is in use, or a little orange one when the microphone is in use.
You won’t be able to prove camera hacking because, on iPhone, this type of remote access is not technically possible without your knowledge, but there are steps you can take to check for security issues and gather evidence of anything suspicious.
First, it’s important to know that the iPhone’s security model does not allow anyone to remotely activate your camera or microphone without an on-screen indicator. If the camera is in use, you will always see a green indicator light in the top-right of the screen. There’s no way to disable or hide that through software.
That said, if someone has access to your device, your accounts, or your iCloud data, you can absolutely investigate and document that. Here’s what you can do:
1. Check for signs of account compromise
Go to Settings > Your Name > Password & Security
2. Review installed profiles or management
Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management
If you see a configuration profile you did not install, remove it.
3. Update iOS
Ensure your iPhone is on the latest version:
Settings > General > Software Update
4. Check app permissions
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera / Microphone / Photos
See which apps have access. Revoke anything you don’t trust.
5. If you believe a crime has been committed
Apple users cannot “prove” hacking at home. But law enforcement can request logs from Apple if needed.
You should:
6. Consider a clean start (optional but effective)
If you want complete peace of mind:
This guarantees the device software is clean.
You may read more about cybercrime and cybersecurity specially related to Apple products on my personal blog.
Why do you think your device has been "hacked"? Because of all the security features Apple has around its equipment this is incredibly costly and difficult to achieve —> https://security.apple.com/blog/memory-integrity-enforcement/ Much more likely is your account may be compromised, giving another user access to your account on your hardware. Even account access is surrounded by a number of security features but is more easily compromised by hackers convincing people to reveal security information, or users not bothering with implementing Apple’s security features.
Read this document if you think your Apple Account has been compromised. --> If you think your Apple Account has been compromised - Apple Support
For iOS 15 or earlier, if you want to see if anyone else has access to your device or accounts, click here --> Checklist 1: Limit device and account access - Apple Support
For iOS 16 or later see how Safety Check on iPhone works to keep you safe. Safety Check for an iPhone with iOS 16 or later - Apple Support
Use the information in this document to check your Apple ID device list to find where you're signed in --> Check your Apple Account device list to find where you’re signed in - Apple Support
Related materials:
Personal Safety User Guide
Personal Safety User Guide - Apple Support
> open the Table of Contents and review the articles
A document with general information about security and your Apple ID --> Security and your Apple Account - Apple Support
Contact Apple for help with Apple ID account security. This page provides country-specific Apple Support contact information ➞ Contact Apple Support - Apple Support
It has been happening to me also
[Edited by Moderator]
Proving iPhone camera hacking and information theft for legal action
