Q: My iMac cameras green light comes on and off without me going anywhere near it. It shows as on for various lengths of time. How do I check to see if someone has hacked in or??? I am not very computer literate. Many thanks

Welcome to Discussions, Annabel.

Annabel101 wrote: ... How do I check to see if someone has hacked in or??? I am not very computer literate...

Because you say you are not very computer literate, the easiest, quickest, and safest thing to do is to contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service. Because of your concerns, it is the course of action I recommend you follow.

Be certain to backup your Mac's hard disk before taking or sending it for service.   The  Service Technicians will be able to look at your iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5), authoritatively answer all your questions, and perform any needed service required to be sure your Mac has not been hacked.  This solution will give you maximum certainty about your computer security.

Annabel101 wrote:  My iMac cameras green light comes on and off without me going anywhere near it. It shows as on for various lengths of time...

If you want to try some things for yourself before seeking professional help, here are some other suggestions you can try in the order given.  None of them will give your the same assurance as professional service.  However, one of these ideas may resolve the symptoms you note.

If you camera light behaves as expected after applying one of these suggestions, and if you notice no other unusual problems, you may decide not to take further action. 

Alternatively, the results of these additional actions may give you an indication that having your Mac professionally serviced is really your best option.

(1)  If your Mac has dashboard widgets or login items that can use your camera, delete them.

Then shut down your Mac, router and wireless (if you use them), and modem.  After a few seconds, restart them in the reverse order, letting each device complete its self-test before restarting the next.

Next, use your Mac's   > Software Update... menu to install any Apple software updates that are needed. 

Then use your Mac, or at least keep it running for a sufficient time, to check whether the camera light problem is resolved if not connected to the internet or any network.

(2)   If the light problem continues, use your Mac's Disk Utility to repair permissions and then  download and apply the latest Combo Update for your Mac OS (even though you are already using Mac OS X (10.7.5).) 

Repair permissions again immediately following the system restart  that completes the Combo update.

Properly applying the Combo version of updates can sometimes correct software problems.   If you camera light now behaves as expected, and if you notice no other unusual problems, you may decide not to take further action.

(3) If your Mac is connected to the internet or to your network via:

  • wireless, turn off your Mac's Airport card. 

  • ethernet, shut down your Mac and disconnect the ethernet cable. 

Then restart and use your Mac long enough to check whether the problem continues.  If the light continues to illuminate unpredictably, you likely have a hardware problem.  There are no user serviceable parts of the camera.  For hardware help, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.9.3