Host process for windows tasks is using the webcam

Anonymous
2017-10-28T07:57:44+00:00

Since the update to 1709 I keep getting every few hours “Host process for windows tasks is using the webcam”.

Is this safe and normal?

I have the HP Envy running windows 10 pro.

Regards

Stan.

Moved from: (Windows / Windows 10 / Security & privacy)

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2017-10-31T20:32:11+00:00

Hi all... Update

I have Kaspersky internet security and it's that is displaying the report so If you have Kaspersky internet security that telling you the web cam is been used so this is what I did: -

Go to windows settings… Privacy… Camera…  then I turned off “Let apps use my camera hardware” and up to now it’s never reported web cam been used up to now after about 10 hours.

hope that helps us all.

regards

Stan.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-09-19T01:55:55+00:00

    According to the Windows Settings page for the camera, disallowing access to the camera by applications will NOT keep the Windows OS from accessing it.  Looks like you're using a band aid or a post-it.

    Handy to know - thanks, but I never said change the windows setting to disallow access to the camera by applications - I mentioned disabling the Task scheduler.  :-)

    However since another Windows update - I'm getting a warning prompt yet again, even with the scheduled task to launch devicecensus.exe disabled - so it looks like Windows have yet another process running attempting to access the camera. 

    Seems that 3rd party firewall software is the only sure solution to stop Microsoft from accessing your camera.

    Yeah, I think that was somebody else from yesterday.  (Following threads in this forum is kind of tricky.)  The fact that (at least) two different third party security suites alerted on this makes me wonder if they suspect an undiscovered (or undisclosed) exploit in it.  That's exactly the kind of thing I'd expect to see dropping into my inbox one morning.

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-09-26T16:38:43+00:00

    Hi Stan,

    There's one way to find out if it is indeed a malware. If you have the Task Manager, right-click on "Host Process for Windows Tasks" and choose Open file location.

    If you find that it's within the System32 folder, then you can be confident that it's not a virus.

    There is currently no way to disable this process as it is a core process of the Windows OS.

    Let us know if you need more help.

    How about fixing it?

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-10-20T23:44:29+00:00

    Seriuously? That is supposed to be good enough. LOL. I use Kapersky and it blocks this process for me, but I do get a notification saying it has been blocked.

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-10-31T07:33:34+00:00

    What does it has to do with file location?

    The only difference is who is watching you.

    If it isin system32 - then Microsoft is spying on you(

    If it is in different folder - then it is someone else.

    The question - is why would ANY software use camera without your permission?   

    Not quite so. Many viruses and malware install themselves into system32 or infect legitimate system files in this folder.

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