Q: Is there a way to turn off and On the isight camera or app to do it ?????

I've heard that hakkers can enter your computer and use your camera to view ..I was wondewring if you can turn it off manually until you want to use it.

Think I'll go with tape..

Actually tape won't work with a macbook pro...it dims the screen if the camera is covered up. And....fyi it is possible for others to view you thru your camera.  So...any other ways to turn it off? Thanks!

So...no.  You're welcome!

Most of you seem to be missing the point of the original poster's question: what if I *want* to turn off the camera light whilst leaving the camera running? I have installed Air Cam on my MacBook and iPhone, so if Mac is stolen I can see and film the thief from my iPhone. OK, so call me paranoid #1. But if the camera light is on, that tips off said thief that they are being filmed. OK, so call me paranoid #2. Is there a way to do this?

OK, so no.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.5

Righto. It would be good if we could. Hello Apple? Is anyone listening?

pringbat1 wrote: ... Hello Apple? Is anyone listening?

Send your comments or suggestions directly to Apple via Product Feedback.  You will not likely get a direct answer, but you can be confident that Apple will see your input for consideration in future product offerings.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.5

Have done so. Thanks for reply.

YW.

I also wanted to turn of my camera from the system level, especially for Skype. 

I searched this community and I found

     Generally deactive webcam

      https://discussions.apple.com/message/18054597#18054597

which pointed me to

     http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/23346/isight-disabler

which is a script that worked.

It allows you to turn the camera off an on without doing surgery on the Library files.

This macupdate link is simply another way to get to the techslaves isight-diabler script mentioned in the http://discussions.apple.com/message/13102676#13102676 post earlier in this thread.

All of the methods suggested in this topic can work to disable any built-in USB cameras.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.5

Jim,

I'm trying to find something I can install on my iMac that signals the iSight to take a photo every time my Mac is booted up.  I remember reading about something like this a few years back but can't find it. Maybe an AppleScript....

thx

I am sure you could do what you want with AppleScript if you knew how.  I have seen several books about AppleScript, but I have never read one.

Automator control of Photo Booth could probably do it, too.

Finally, There are likely third part apps that can do what you want.

I did a web search for "camera isight take picture make image boot up Mac AppleScript" and found many topics that might help get you going.  Here are a few examples that might be worth a look:

 • Anti-theft protection with Automator « squaresquirrel.ro

 • Mac Automation: Automator for Leopard | TUAW

 • Snap and upload iSight pictures on wake from sleep - Mac OS X Hints

 • OS X taking a photo with the iSight using a command-line tool?

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.8.5

Has their been an update to work with Mavericks? I'm running a new MB Air and the script has no effect.