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KStecyk's avatar
KStecyk
Copper Contributor
Feb 11, 2020

Edge, Webcam, and Anti-virus Software

I often find that my anti-virus software, Norton 360, informs me that Edge is seeking access to my webcam. I have read that other anti-virus software does the same thing. I am never sure why or what ...
KStecyk's avatar
KStecyk
Copper Contributor
Feb 12, 2020

I am providing more information on my prior post.

 

Using Edge Beta, I did the following:

  1. Settings > Privacy and services > Clear browsing data >all time, browsing history, download history, cookies, cached images and files, site permissions, and hosted app data all checked, and cleared those items
  2.  Settings > Site permissions > Camera > Ask first before accessing (recommended) is on
  3. Closed browser
  4. Reopened browser
  5. Settings > Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge (there is only one tab open) 

When I follow those specific steps, I get a warning from my anti-virus software that Edge is accessing my camera.

 

I have included a screenshot of what it looks like below.

 

It seems odd to me that Edge needs to access my camera when I follow those above steps. 

 

I would like Edge to prompt me before accessing my camera, as I have indicated in Step 2 above. Edge gave me no warnings.

 

Because camera access is very invasive to our privacy,  I hope that something can be done.

 

 

HotCakeX's avatar
HotCakeX
MVP
Feb 12, 2020
Did you try turning this off?
Settings > Site permissions > Camera > Ask first before accessing (recommended) is on
  • KStecyk's avatar
    KStecyk
    Copper Contributor
    Feb 13, 2020

    HotCakeX 

     

    I went back and cleared cache and everything else as previously discussed.
     
    I turned OFF "ask first before accessing (recommended)" and then closed the browser.
     
    I then opened the Edge Beta and went to "About Microsoft Edge." 
     
    Norton gave me the same warning again. I would have thought that, by turning that switch to off, Edge would no longer seek access to the camera under any circumstances. That thought appears to be wrong.
    • HotCakeX's avatar
      HotCakeX
      MVP
      Feb 13, 2020
      Maybe it's a Norton problem? that's possible..
      how else the About page would try to access web cam, doesn't make sense. btw Beta is not so up to date now, try Dev or Stable
      • KStecyk's avatar
        KStecyk
        Copper Contributor
        Feb 13, 2020

        HotCakeX 

         

        HotCakeX wrote:
        Maybe it's a Norton problem? that's possible..
        how else the About page would try to access web cam, doesn't make sense. btw Beta is not so up to date now, try Dev or Stable

        Using the stable version, I went through the same series of steps to clear the cache and others as mentioned previously. I got camera message again using various Edge pages, including the about page. I agree that it does not make sense.

         

        Regarding Norton, I certainly can't vouch for the software, so it is possible that it is Norton and not Edge. Intuitively, I would think that it should be easy to monitor for calls to the camera. And that's what Norton is picking up. Again, I am neither a Symantec nor a Microsoft developer, so all this stuff is beyond me. I just know as a user that I see warning messages that make me uncomfortable.

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