Portables Without Cameras? 442
crankyspice writes "I work routinely in environments where a camera cannot physically be present (e.g., federal court), which really limits what I can carry with me. For instance, I'm a Mac guy, but there's no way to order a MacBook without a built-in webcam (which I've never used on the machines I've owned that have had one). Ditto the iPhone. I'm left with a BlackBerry 8830 and the bottom rung of the [W|L]Intel portables. Even then, when I ordered a Dell Mini 9, I had to wait more than a month because I specified no webcam when I placed the order. This is a relatively common (government, law, sensitive corporate environments) requirement; what have other Slashdotters done? Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera. How can one easily find portable devices without a built-in camera?"
Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:5, Insightful)
I've just cruised through this list of netbooks [amazon.com] over at Amazon. It returned just over 5,000 results and I can't find one without a camera. I'll keep looking but this leads me to believe that you may just need to look at a regular laptop. And the wait is probably going to exist otherwise because you are obviously looking for something that is just outside the norm for these.
This discussion [c0t0d0s0.org] from last September didn't turn up anything, except the Mini 9 - which you already mention. Though they do bring up one option that I think is the best bet; to open up the case, yank the camera and fill in the spot where it went. It can't be that hard. If some guy can fit an LCD behind the apple logo [slashdot.org] - you can get the camera out.
The phone issue I find being brought up going back to 2005 and it's probably older - this seemed to offer hope [yahoo.com] and mentions a few models but it's old and I'm not sure how stuff would have carried forward. Most stuff I find mentions Blackberry which you already have. So my guess is that there is no treasure trove of camera free devices that you have missed. You are just in a tough spot.
dude.. (Score:5, Insightful)
The answer is simple. Break the camera device. It won't break your computer or portable. . it will break the camera.
Make it so it is obvious when you point it out.
Drill (Score:2, Insightful)
A drill with a 1/4" bit will surely remove the offending camera from the device and, if done properly, will convince even the $7/hr guards while leaving the device operable. YMMV.
This may sound stupid, but why wait? (Score:2, Insightful)
I'm pretty sure that will convince folks that you don't have a camera installed.
The Nate
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:These places should do what others do (Score:5, Insightful)
Many high security establishments, both government and commercial, realize that they can't stop technology without serious concessions. What some do are to put a special tamper-proof tag over the camera. Then they just inspect the tag when you exit and, if tampered, confiscate the device until it can be validated.
What good would confiscating the device after the fact do? If these are really "high security" establishments as you say, wouldn't they be concerned that you might "tamper" with the tag, use the camera to photograph or record video of sensitive materials or discussions, then encrypt and transmit said photos or videos to a far-off website, all before leaving the establishment? Confiscating the device at that point would be like closing the barn door after the horses escaped.
$12/hour security guard (Score:5, Insightful)
> Disabling the camera with a script or somesuch won't convince the $12/hour security guard that there's no camera.
It also would not convince me.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:2, Insightful)
I run into folks like you at work all the time. Most of us just refer to you guys as assholes. It's astonishing to me how arrogant people can be.
I'm ultimately the one that's going to have to look for any IEDs that somebody might plant in my part of the building as well as screen vehicles coming in. I get that you make more than I do, but that's really no reason to act like such a jack ass.
You know it's not exactly stress free working at one of the top hundred terrorist targets. And having to put up with arrogant gits like you makes it that much less pleasent.
Re:dude.. (Score:4, Insightful)
A sticker over the lens will usually keep the casual inspector at bay...
Except, on the off chance that they do find out it's still functional, he could be in trouble. Since he clearly has no interest in ever using the camera, it would seem like painting over the lense with black paint would be the easiest way to convincingly break it.
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:3, Insightful)
Removing it yourself won't work, since it can't be "certified."
Drill out the camera with a 1/4" drill bit. Then when the security guy points out the camera hole, SHOVE A PENCIL THROUGH IT!
Most webcams are on their own circuit board above the display. If you wanted to save it, to put back in later, you could remove the board, then drill out the case.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
A friend of mine had his P38 (old military style) can opener taken off his keychain in the Bucks County Courthouse (PA)
A P38 can opener, for those of you who don't know, is quite possibly the least expensive can-opener possible. It could be accurately be described as a "hinged razor-blade."
It's really no surprise at all that the security guard wouldn't let that pass. Especially as they're made of stamped aluminum and probably worth about .10 cents each.
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
This isn't about outwitting security. That's the easy part. The real problem is if you get caught in a high security facility with a camera, it's your job and probably worse. If you add to that the fact that you were actively trying to hide it (with "automotive class trim") you might be accused of espionage.
Re:This will get interesting (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:These places should do what others do (Score:5, Insightful)
Places that need really good security tend to have it provided by Marines. ;)
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
As for the cameras issue. That is legit. Not only do courts sometimes deal with cases where identities must be protected (I.e. It's bad enough little Sandy has to testify against her Daddy for molesting her, but putting her picture on the net would make it a whole lot worse) but there are other "institutions" that have vested interest in being photograph free. I.e. Many titty Bars ban Cams to protect the day jobs and church membership of part time strippers as well as the Senate seat of tonight's #1 tipper.
The ability to effectively enforce a ban on cameras is something that's only possible for the current relative sliver of history. What are those organizations going to do when technology allows virtually anyone to covertly record what they see through their eyes (organic or cybernetic)? They should start thinking about that now, because in the not-too-distant future they will have no choice but to allow it.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:3, Insightful)
> There's no way a rational person will accuse you of trying to sneak in a camera.
We are talking about a security guard.
You know, the same guy that use to beat you up in 10th grade just because he could. The guy that couldn't pass the police physical or the written test.
Getting caught (by what ever means) with a camera you KNEW was there, AND one that you tried to hide can cost you big time. Your Job. Your security clearance. Maybe a couple years of your freedom.
Telling them you read it on SlashDot won't save your sorry hide.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:2, Insightful)
And the security guard knows its "completely disabled" HOW???
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Just disable the camera... epoxy (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:These places should do what others do (Score:1, Insightful)
Not always. I remember reading about various Air Force laptops being stolen and classified data being leaked to the Chinese.
Now if you'd said places that have really good security tend to have it by Marines, that's another story. :)
Re:These places should do what others do (Score:5, Insightful)
One would think. I used to work at a major defense contractor that dealt with nuclear materials. There was a five foot high fence around the facility and I knew people who had jumped it (without triggering a security alert) when they had forgotten their badges. Oh, and cars used to get stolen out of the "secure" parking lot on a regular basis.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Sounds like you've covered it pretty well (Score:3, Insightful)
They probably just couldn't get behind the LCD to disconnect the camera at the source. That's as far as I got disassembling the unibody too. If you're willing to cut the cable you can keep Wi-Fi and just lose camara + bluetooth.
If anyone knows how to access the hidden screws in the unibody LCD, please let me know. I'm guessing that a special tool is involved.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
Is that in the top hundred by actual attacks committed, or just estimated by some politician to be worthy of using to scare people. Do you know how many terrorist attacks there have been on US soil between 1961 and 2003 ?
7
And several of those were cases of one man with a mission, which we normally call "criminals" not terrorists. So explain the top 100 terrorist targets please. You have way more attacks in schools than you do terrorist incidents.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/pubs/fs/5902.htm [state.gov]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_school-related_attacks [wikipedia.org]
Re:Just disable the camera... epoxy (Score:2, Insightful)
So my XP workstation at my federal installation job can support a camera via the USB ports. So my computer is forbidden even though its sitting on my desk connected to a federal network, just because it has the capability?
That is one of the most stupid paraphrased misleading "quotes" i have ever seen.
Talk to security (Score:4, Insightful)
Since it seems you've investigated the technical side of the problem do a little leg work on the human side. Talk to one of the security guards and find out who they report to since ultimately that is who your solution must be agreeable to. Explain the situation and ask what measures would be necessary to take in a device with a disabled camera. You can look at possibly using a case, skin or just a sticker that would obscure the camera just make sure that whoever the security guards report to OKs it.
Then the next obstacle is getting the guards to understand that it has been OKd. Assuming that there is probably a small number of guards that you'll deal with get to know them and preemptively bring the subject up to them, show them the steps you've done to disable the use of the camera and let them know you've talked to their boss about it.
Be prepared for them to still balk at the idea and have equipment around that you can use if they wont let the disabled camera pass. Hopefully at this point they will ask their superior about it and he will verify that he gave his OK and next time you'll be able to take your better toys in with you.
Just keep in mind that the security guards are just trying to do their job to the best of their ability. Things that will draw their attention and almost assuredly lead to your and your disabled camera being turned away/confiscated are any attempts to sneak something past them and any attitude at all if they ask about it. And by all means never wait until discovery/discussion of the device would interrupt court proceedings as that is just a good way to piss of a judge and get yourself found in contempt.
Re:Step back a bit... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Just disable the camera... epoxy (Score:3, Insightful)