Why is Steam trying to access my webcam?

[primeinsurrection]

I have Eset security and it says Steam keeps trying to access my webcam.
Theres no video chat application on Steam or any games that require to see you.
I cant think of any other reason for this besides perverted reasons.

[[N]ebsun]

DarkCrystalMethod a écrit :

Some black electrical tape over the camera will stop the peeping, but the listening could still happen (microphone). Sure wish it was easier for normal non-techies to figure out how to stop that nonsense. (Unplug the webcam unless you're broadcasting ls the low-tech solution).

Windows provides settings to control precisely which applications are allowed access to microphone, camera, location, etc. you can also turn off access altogether.

Right click start > Settings > Privacy

All listed down the left side

[[N]ebsun]

primeinsurrection a écrit :

I have Eset security and it says Steam keeps trying to access my webcam.
Theres no video chat application on Steam or any games that require to see you.
I cant think of any other reason for this besides perverted reasons.

Do you have a separate microphone ? is it possible that Steam is trying to access the microphone which is integrated into the webcam ?

[( ( < < <🤖> > > ) )]

Spawn of Totoro a écrit :

primeinsurrection a écrit :

I have Eset security and it says Steam keeps trying to access my webcam.
Theres no video chat application on Steam or any games that require to see you.
I cant think of any other reason for this besides perverted reasons.

The mic on the camera will have the same trigger as the use of the camera it's self. Most likely you are in a voice chat channel and that is causing the message.

I use Kaspersky and only got a notification about the web cam when I messed with the voice chat.

so this is the real answer...

is there anyway to confirm where
the video signal is going...
ie. to a steam server and not somewhere else..

[Bloodwyrm Wildheart]

Calico Jack a écrit :

First thing you should be doing is uninstalling ESET, because it's likely the most intrusive spyware on your device currently.

[Citation needed]

[PocketYoda]

ESET is very good and is one of the least bloatware of Antivirus. If its acting out its probably Steam doing stuff in the background or you can have some malware taking over steam..

I agree steam should not be monitoring webcams even if the mic is connected.

[primeinsurrection]

DanteYoda a écrit :

ESET is very good and is one of the least bloatware of Antivirus. If its acting out its probably Steam doing stuff in the background or you can have some malware taking over steam..

I agree steam should not be monitoring webcams even if the mic is connected.

I agree. I think there is a psychological issue that has become a trend on Steam, "If you criticize anything, you are the scum of the earth." I find it to be a very empty headed philosophy.
I have heard from professionals that Eset is of the best security programs on the market at a common consumers rate. I like to download and produce music so it has saved my computer many times. And not really here to debate security programs nor heard any better suggestions.
I doubt that its nothing, but Im not saying its a huge deal either. I see it often on websites on various security programs. I just never seen it on a public trusted site and was wondering why.

[primeinsurrection]

Calico Jack a écrit :

primeinsurrection a écrit :

I have Eset security and it says Steam keeps trying to access my webcam.
Theres no video chat application on Steam or any games that require to see you.
I cant think of any other reason for this besides perverted reasons.

First thing you should be doing is uninstalling ESET, because it's likely the most intrusive spyware on your device currently. Then you should face the fact that using proprietary software like Windows and Steam is inherently non-privacy respecting and act accordingly, if these sort of things bother you. This being said, I very much doubt Steam is accessing your camera or microphone for anything nefarious (or at all) simply because it's such a widely used app and there would be millions of reports about this all over the place.
Edit: why the hell is ESET taking over camera/mic permissions from Windows, anyway? ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I hate antivirus software.

I do not know very much about computers but I download alot of music and sounds so I need something to be protected.

[PocketYoda]

primeinsurrection a écrit :

DanteYoda a écrit :

ESET is very good and is one of the least bloatware of Antivirus. If its acting out its probably Steam doing stuff in the background or you can have some malware taking over steam..

I agree steam should not be monitoring webcams even if the mic is connected.

I agree. I think there is a psychological issue that has become a trend on Steam, "If you criticize anything, you are the scum of the earth." I find it to be a very empty headed philosophy.
I have heard from professionals that Eset is of the best security programs on the market at a common consumers rate. I like to download and produce music so it has saved my computer many times. And not really here to debate security programs nor heard any better suggestions.
I doubt that its nothing, but Im not saying its a huge deal either. I see it often on websites on various security programs. I just never seen it on a public trusted site and was wondering why.

I personally used it for years and its saved me countless times.. and i seldom know its even there.

[Aahzmandias]

Major Cruton a écrit :

primeinsurrection a écrit :

I will delete the app and never use it again. All the games I ever got on here were junk and the service is a joke. Microsoft would never do this.

Funny joke, Windows 10 is more spyware than OS

Correct. An unaltered Windows 10 is THE spyware. That is why I cannot take the OP serious. Ignoring the biggest security risk on his system itself. And MS did try to make kinect mandatory and always listening. Only the public outrage did stop that in it's tracks.

On the other hand, that would it not make OK if Valve tries the same shady thing, without us informing about it. Maybe they plan to use it for their future friends chat or streaming application.

[primeinsurrection]

Aahzmandias a écrit :

Major Cruton a écrit :

Funny joke, Windows 10 is more spyware than OS

Correct. An unaltered Windows 10 is THE spyware. That is why I cannot take the OP serious. Ignoring the biggest security risk on his system itself. And MS did try to make kinect mandatory and always listening. Only the public outrage did stop that in it's tracks.

On the other hand, that would it not make OK if Valve tries the same shady thing, without us informing about it. Maybe they plan to use it for their future friends chat or streaming application.

I am aware of the prepackaged trojan that comes with windows. This has nothing at all to do with the topic, nor does it contribute anything to the conversation. I think everyone here is likely on Windows using Steam. This is why I dont take people who make stupid comments seriously. So the feeling is mutual.

[Arkham99]

Major Cruton a écrit :

Windows 10 is more spyware than OS

it's not an OS... it's a "live service"...:-)

[Mr. Monday]

primeinsurrection a écrit :

I have Eset security and it says Steam keeps trying to access my webcam.
Theres no video chat application on Steam or any games that require to see you.
I cant think of any other reason for this besides perverted reasons.

Burnout Paradise uses the camera to take a snapshot of you and send it to the other players who wreck you while playing. That's the only one in my library that I know uses the camera, and I could see other games using the camera for similar reasons (I don't know which ones do though). And as others pointed out, it could be trying to access your mic for voice chat in some games.

[primeinsurrection]

Mr. Monday a écrit :

primeinsurrection a écrit :

I have Eset security and it says Steam keeps trying to access my webcam.
Theres no video chat application on Steam or any games that require to see you.
I cant think of any other reason for this besides perverted reasons.

Burnout Paradise uses the camera to take a snapshot of you and send it to the other players who wreck you while playing. That's the only one in my library that I know uses the camera, and I could see other games using the camera for similar reasons (I don't know which ones do though). And as others pointed out, it could be trying to access your mic for voice chat in some games.

Oh. Thats actually a good point. Steam may be trying to access the camera so that other games can more easily. That makes sense.
A feature I heard was in the new Battlefield was to make your character have the same facial expressions as you.
Or it could just be asking for access incase you later wish to add a picture to your profile or whatever.
I guess this was a pretty simple answer. Thanks.

[AustrAlien2010]

Is it? Would that not make Burnout Paradise access your webcam, instead of Steam?

Oh well. Who I am to judge. If the answer works for you its okay.

[primeinsurrection]

AustrAlien2010 a écrit :

Is it? Would that not make Burnout Paradise access your webcam, instead of Steam?

Yea but that made me think, Steam would ask too just because it uses webcam too for stuff like uploading profile photos and what not.