Privacy Filters – An Effective Way to Combat Visual Hacking

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of 3M for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

All of us are very concerned about privacy; but many times we are not aware that someone is secretly viewing/capturing our laptop/mobile screen. Visual privacy is the issue of sensitive information being accessed visually via screens creating a security risk for organizations. In the era of digitalization, we can access our information anywhere and on any device and a visual hacker may only need one piece of valuable information to unlock a large-scale data breach. Hence, Visual Privacy is very important in public environments and at the workplace.

Almost everyone is aware of Cyber hacking and we do take preventive measures for it, but very less number of people is aware of Visual hacking. It is the easiest way of viewing sensitive, confidential information from someone’s laptop/desktop/smartphone screen within minutes for unauthorized use. At your workplace, libraries, coffee shops, such data breaches can easily occur. All the people sitting or roaming around you can view what you are doing and can capture information from your screen. In IT companies, the worker mobility is allowing sensitive information to be accessed from their desktops/laptops screen and often it goes unnoticed by employees. It is an under-addressed threat in the IT security plans and privacy policies of many organizations.

To ensure that visual privacy is a legitimate threat for all organizations, 3M has conducted a covert experiment with a third party organization. An undercover white hat hacker was sent into several participating corporate offices to see how easy it is to steal sensitive company information through visual hacking. The hacker was able to obtain sensitive information in 88% of the trials. The analysis of “Visual Privacy Productivity Study” states that visual privacy had been violated: 69% in the workplace; 55% while traveling; 51% in public areas. Hence, nowadays visual privacy is the most emerging issue in information security.

Don’t forget to check this very important information regarding visual hacking experiment and complete details about it: Learn More About Visual Hacking

As you see the above numbers, you can determine how easily confidential information can be obtained by just visually looking at it. One solution for this problem is to encourage people to position their screen in such a way that it is less easy to view by others. This is almost impossible in organizations and public places. The second alternative is to use privacy filters which provide visual protection and it becomes almost impossible to hack visually.

For strong privacy and to avoid visual data breaches, 3M visual privacy products are the best solution.  3M provides “Privacy Filters” and “Screen Protectors” which help to protect our confidential information from visual hackers. 3M’s visual privacy solutions allow users to see their screen clearly while prying eyes beside them see only a black or gold screen which features advanced technology first developed by 3M – the visual privacy experts. 1 of the innovative product from 3M, E-privacy filter use facial recognition technology and reveals the screen for the authorized user only. When any eavesdropper is detected, the user is alerted with a pop-up of intruder’s face. Also, it blurs the face when the user looks away or steps away from the computer screen.  When the software is combined with a 3M™ Privacy Filter (physical privacy protector) true 180-degree visual privacy is possible as shown in the image.

As they say, protection is always better than cure. The cost of recovering from security breaches is much higher than the cost of securing systems from visual hacking. 3M privacy solutions can help corporate leaders to protect the workplace and privacy of organization by providing tools to employees that allow them to protect their information from being visually hacked while still maintaining productivity. You can also request a free 3M Privacy Product for your organization to see and experience with the product. 3M will use the survey results to best determine your privacy needs and send the right product for your business.

Following privacy filters and screen protectors are available to protect your screen:

• Black Privacy Filter
• Gold Privacy Filter
• Easy-on Privacy Filter
• 4-way Privacy Screen Filter
• E-Privacy Filter software
• Ultra-Glare Screen Protector
• Anti-Glare Screen Protector

To learn more about 3M Privacy Screens and how they protect from visual hacking, check this: Learn More About 3M Privacy Products

My experience with 3M Gold screen protector and e-Privacy Filter

It’s been 6 months since I am using both products and my experience with both of them are really awesome. I use my laptop at public places like coffee shops, college library/classrooms and sometimes in parks. At those places, it is very difficult or almost impossible for me to find a place where no one can see my screen and what I am doing. But since last 6 months, I don’t have to worry about it anymore and I can sit anywhere without worrying about visual hacking or trespassers. With, 3M screen protectors on screen and e-Privacy software installed on my system, I am now sure that now I can use my laptop anywhere without worrying much visual hacking.

What encouraged me to look for privacy filter and screen protector is an interesting story. I am a graduate student and often use my personal laptop in my college’s library and in labs. As you all know, how close the students sit and how often other students move around, there is always a chance of someone looking into your computer. In the library, once I used my credit card details twice to purchase few items online without knowing that somebody already captured a picture of my screen at the same time. On the very next day, I received a transaction of $400 which I never made. I immediately called Credit Card Company and they made that transaction void. I also had to replace my credit card to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Not only me, I have seen many incidents like this with people who are often using their electronic devices in public places. Since then, I am using Screen Protectors and e-Privacy filters for my laptop.

 

I would also recommend you to check these posts which explain how to use these products and how effective they are in modern days:

3M Gold Privacy filter
3M e-Privacy filter

I would like to hear such stories from you regarding visual hacking where you were the victim or you have seen anyone getting visually hacked. Also, let me know if you have any questions regarding these products, I will try to answer in the best way possible.