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

After searching through /Library and /System/Library, here is what I did to disable iSight/Apple Camera on Sierra 10.1.12 to comply with the local requirement. In essence, I either moved the app/files to a backup folder or changed their attribute to 000. Note that to create the folder inside /Library and /System enable the root or use sudo, or disable System Integrity Protection. Your milage may vary, and iSight-Disabler apple script could be modified to make it work with 10.1.12 as well.

1. The video hardware capacity and support was disabled via OS modification through the removal of the following kernel extensions.
a. Disable the external iSight camera support by deleting the /System/Library/Extensions/Apple_iSight.kext.
b. Disable the video IO capability by deleting /System/Library/Extensions/IOVideoFamily.kext.
c. Disable the built-in camera hardware support by deleting /System/Library/Extensions/IOUSBFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/AppleUSBVideoSuppo rt.kext.

2. Disable the Quicktime iSight hardware support by deleting
/System/Library/QuickTime/QuickTimeUSBVDCDigitizer.component
and
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreMediaIO.framework/Versions/A/Resources/VDC.plugin

3. The core media Apple Camera plugin are disabled/deleted via
a. sudo chmod 000 /Library/CoreMediaIO/Plugins/DAL/AppleCamera.plugin
b. sudo chmod 000 /Library/CoreMediaIO/Plug-ins/FCP-DAL/AppleCamera.plugin/

4. Remove the video software capability of the computer by secure deleting the following applications (This is a drastic step):
a. /Applications/FaceTime.app
b. /Applications/Photo Booth.app
c. /Applications/iChat.app
Flush /System/Library/Caches, rebuild, and restart the system to put into affect the modifications.

EZ Jim wrote:

A gentle reminder for Globalmark (if you are still watching this very old thread...) and other readers:

Moving, renaming, or deleting files outside your Username/Documents folder, whether manually or by using OS X Terminal Utility commands like those recommended above, is generally a BAD idea unless you are expert enough to KNOW how your actions will effectyourOS X Mac.

If you are not comfortable using Terminal, you should carefully consider whether to follow Terminal instructions from any but a source you trust.

This is poor advice from a regular contributor to these forums whose answers to questions are often misleading or wrong. In this thread, over the course of multiple years, he has repeatedly betrayed his ignorance of the very real risk of having a built-in camera that is aimed at you, your home, your family, your office, your coworkers, etc., but that you cannot readily disable by some means provided to you either by the computer manufacturer (in this case, Apple) or by the maker of the operating system (also in this case, Apple).

You must summarily disregard assertions he makes about trusted sources because he consistently fails to identify the one source you must trust least of all: him.

As of March 2017, there is no remaining doubt among information security professionals that the Apple iSight and Apple FaceTime cameras built into Apple computers represent a grave risk to the personal privacy of anyone who uses Apple computers. It is grossly irresponsible for anyone giving consumers advice about how to use these devices to still be downplaying the serious threat posed by cybercriminals who can, and frequently do, exploit these built-in cameras for nefarious purposes. Indeed, the ability to spy on users of these devices by secretly commandeering their built-in cameras is now available in commercial software applications that can be purchased from vendors in many different countries.

MonkeyFingers wrote:

You must summarily disregard assertions he makes about trusted sources because he consistently fails to identify the one source you must trust least of all: him.

To anyone reading this: EZ Jim has reached Level 7 because fellow users have awarded him points for correct or helpful answers. Given how few people bother to award points, it can take years to reach that level. This means that EZ Jim has spent years providing helpful, reliable advice. MonkeyFingers, on the other hand, appears to have just recently joined this forum. He has made one post criticizing a year old post. So, to anyone reading this, consider for yourself which person is more likely to be trustworthy.

Also, don't be swayed by fear mongering.

MonkeyFingers wrote:

As of March 2017, there is no remaining doubt among information security professionals that the Apple iSight and Apple FaceTime cameras built into Apple computers represent a grave risk to the personal privacy of anyone who uses Apple computers.

To MonkeyFingers:

Please provide your evidence for this assertion.

Perhaps you need an attitude adjustment and learn how to be a bit nicer when responding to someone asking a question online. I don't care whatsoever about your "level" or your "points". I have a better idea, how about you close that computer and go outside and give someone (a real person) a compliment. Clearly your people skills are behind your computer "levels". What a waste of time reading your reply. Hopefully when I scroll down after typing this somebody answers his/her question thoughtfully, and with kindness. Way to put someone down you don't know.

dguccione wrote:

Perhaps you need an attitude adjustment and learn how to be a bit nicer when responding to someone asking a question online.

While Kappy is certainly terse, nothing he did in this thread was rude. Kappy has a reputation for providing useful, reliable answers. However, he can only do that if people give complete information.

What have you done to help people in this forum? Other than put down someone you don't know, that is.

The question was not frivolous. Here's the issue: I'm trying to stream to Facebook Live using an external camera. Facebook's software will only do a direct stream to the "default" camera on a Mac. If you hook up an external camera, you are forced to use an "in between" program like OBS, which is either problematic, or doesn't work. How can you tell a Mac that your external webcam IS the default?

ilevene wrote:

The question was not frivolous. Here's the issue: I'm trying to stream to Facebook Live using an external camera. Facebook's software will only do a direct stream to the "default" camera on a Mac. If you hook up an external camera, you are forced to use an "in between" program like OBS, which is either problematic, or doesn't work. How can you tell a Mac that your external webcam IS the default?

I'd suggest you start your own thread as your issue is really not the same as the subject of this very old and somewhat contentious thread. You'll get more and better help that way.

Best of luck.

Hi Dboyr,

Thank you so much for your scripts. I have been struggling for past few days looking for a properly working script to disable my camera on my Macbook Pro running Sierra OS and I found your script working perfectly and so easy to run. Once again, thank you so much. You saved my day brother.

Globalmark wrote:
Hi

Does anyone know either of a Simple way to Turn off the isight camera on a Macbook pro (3.1 model with Snow leopard) or a simple program or Widget to do this ??

I have already Googled this but cannot find much - except disable certain files, or a Applescript by Techslaves.org called isight disabler , which seems great except I have to run applescript each time run this script, put in password, then select !
SO is there a Basic app or even a Way of making the isight disabler work like a simple app - or a way to do with Mac's settings ??

Any help is Appriciated
Thanks Mark

Manually moving, renaming, or deleting files outside your Username/Documents folder
   is generally a BAD idea unless you KNOW how it will effect OS X.
EZ Jim
Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz Mac OS X (10.6.6); MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.6)
LED Cinema Display; G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11); iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9); External iSight; iPod4touch4.2.1

Does anyone know either of a Simple way to Turn off the isight camera on a Macbook pro...

Asatoran wrote:

Does anyone know either of a Simple way to Turn off the isight camera on a Macbook pro...

Tape? Specifically electrical tape or other opaque tape over the lens.

Some people find that "solution" a tad snarky, but IMHO, while it is a little sarcastic, I know of a few people who are paranoid about some malware turning on the camera without their knowledge, so find this "solution" completely acceptable. They can completely "disable" the camera with no software compatibility issues, and works with any model computer. 😉 Obviously this will not stop the malware (or whatever) from using the microphone, but you wanted "simple." 🙂