The webcam light on my laptop just turned on - does this mean someone has hacked into my webcam?

If someone can hack your webcam, they should be able to hack the stupid light to.
Unless it's 12 year old scriptkiddie.

Old post, but 'cuz... It's a bit weird, if that was actually an issue, people should also have a dummy plug for their laptop/mobile phone's microphone jack, and those things barely even exist. Seems to me generally more likely people have given permission to some web-site or chat-app to use the camera, and it's running in the background. Then again, there's NO reason the web-cam should be on without the user's intention. I was incredulous at first, but apparently the light is separately controlled, so it doesn't necessarily even light up when the camera is used. Of course, if someone can turn the light on, they can also use the camera... so uhh, cover it. And see if you're using virus/malware scanner. And you probably can't get a microphone-plug :p

I am not paranoid about such things generally, but to be safe, cover it at least temporarily, until you can be absolutely sure.

I cover my webcam out of paranoia and I've never even had the light turn on randomly. I think I'd pee myself if that happened.

could be and I've had my webcam taped over since I got this laptop, and also on my I-pad

that happened to me a lot so i covered it up.

It is probable, we can't say if that's the case or not. Possibly it could have just turned on for some kind of feature in your computer, but always stay safe.

I wouldn't dismiss it. It's done often

Yes, I think keeping it covered is a good idea.

It happens more than you think

Just cover it up.