[hackerrenews]

You’re right. One can’t assure that won’t happen unless you can ensure that every outgoing packet hasn’t been tampered with inside your computer. But that problem can also be tackled as part of a solution to reduce risk but not eliminate it.

How about simply using a new style of webcam that uses a physical shutter when active? Any reason I can’t go on amazon and buy one? Are these illegal?

Sadly you’d want analog push button switch on mics only. Latch as well ok if done securely.

You could jump through tons of hoops to minimize risk for the above but given the complexity of a typical computer, most won’t have a chance as you noted.

If you whitelisted all your activity and took the other precautions noted (and if you have clean hygiene) then it would be much more difficult for your strong adversary as your nation state would need to own your box remotely. And it is possible to defend against that sort of thing. Yes if you just have indiscriminate traffic coming and going, defense becomes astronomically more difficult.