On: Shazam Keeps Your Mac’s Microphone Always On, Even...

[yolesaber]

If you're on a mac, go to Sound in System Preferences. Click Input. Do you see activity in the input monitor? That means your microphone has been on the entire time you've used your computer and has heard everything you said. I HIGHLY recommend disabling your internal mic. So does Apple.

http://images.apple.com/support/security/guides/docs/Leopard...

[SimpleMinds → yolesaber]

"activity in the input monitor"

Hi. Are you sure about that?

Using one of the other tools mentioned here (Oversight) it looks like Microphone starts when you open Input and closes when you close Input tab. Which makes sense as you do want to see Input feedback instantly. Mac 10.11

[yolesaber → SimpleMinds]

The point is that your mic is 'hot' if you don't turn the volume all the way down. You don't need root access to run 'sox' or other audio capturing scripts. Very easy to eavesdrop, as this Shazam example illustrates.

[lpgauth → yolesaber]

Is there a more recent version of that guide (e.g. for Sierra)?

[yolesaber → lpgauth]

Not sure, haven't come across it. Here's a pretty paranoid setup, can't totally vouch for it though https://github.com/drduh/macOS-Security-and-Privacy-Guide

[slantaclaus → yolesaber]

Disable the microphone on your iPhone too. STRONG rec

[nicky0 → slantaclaus]

Phone calls will become challenging.

[yolesaber → nicky0]

Haha. Yes, unfortunately phones are incredibly vulnerable. You can monitor permissions and be vigilant about what has access to what, though.