5 Lessons I Learned From Swimming With the Sharks (Shark Tank, That Is) - Huffington Post May 30 2014

It's now been almost 5 months since the Shark Tank episode featuring Eyebloc aired. That's enough time to have let those wounds heal properly. Actually, it wasn't nearly as brutal as the editing made it seem, and it was a wonderful learning experience that has helped me grow as an entrepreneur.

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5 Lessons I Learned From Swimming With the Sharks (Shark Tank, That Is) - Huffington Post

Post Shark Tank Press for Eyebloc: Entrepreneurial Spirit Still Going Strong January 18 2014

Its been a fun post Shark Tank week for Eyebloc.  We had the opportunity to speak to a number of local DC reporters.  Check out the press here

DC Inventor to Be Featured on “Shark Tank” - The Washingtonian

Eyebloc Sees Only Positives After 'Brutal' Shark Tank Airing - In The Capitol

Behind the scenes on "Shark Tank" with a DC entrepreneur - Elevation DC

DC's Eyebloc Gets Eaten Alive on ABC's "Shark Tank" - Tech Cocktail

1776 Member Spotlight: Eyebloc Founder CJ Isakow Learns from 'Shark Tank' Appearance

Looks like the Shark Tank Video got taken down from youtube, but its still available on ABC

Thank you to everyone in the DC community who has been so supportive.  Here is a tweet from our watching party with my amazing wife

Watch party with friends and supporters. #luckyguy #sharktank pic.twitter.com/1cAAexzIvy

— Eyebloc Webcam Cover (@eyebloc) January 11, 2014

XBox 360 Kinect in Your Living Room: Eyebloc 3D Prints New Cover to Protect You January 06 2014

We all know the new XBox One is always watching us in our living room.  But did you know that the over 23 Million XBox Kinects in our living rooms also could be used to watch us?  We designed the XBox 360 Kinect cover to ensure you have the option of opting out of being watched.  You can buy the 3D printed version now on Shapeways

Here is a rendering of what the version will look like once we start manufacturing the plastic Xbox Kinect Cover in the USA

Webcam Hacking Is No Laughing Matter, but this is Funny January 01 2014

CJ lives in DC and a friend of his created this clever (and funny/sad) video emphasizing the need to use an Eyebloc webcam cover.    Jeremy is spied on while celebrating his bday...with only cats.
Keep your private life private with Eyebloc.  

Eyebloc Featured In The Washington Post December 21 2013

The Eyebloc is getting some national attention! The Washington Post interviewed Eyebloc founder CJ Isakow about the idea behind the Eyebloc, webcam hackers, and the philosophy of personal privacy. From the article:

Researchers Prove Vulnerabilities In Macbook Webcam Protections December 20 2013

Skeptics of webcam covers usually point to the warning light that's standard on most laptop webcams. After all, if the light turns on when the camera is in use it should be obvious if somebody is spying on you. Researchers at Johns Hopkins shattered that assumption with proof-of-concept software that bypasses the webcam light while remotely activating a Macbook webcam. Watch the video below:

No matter what you might think, the only surefire way to thwart webcam hackers is with a physical webcam blocker. Read the entire article at The Washington Post

Eyebloc Going into the Shark Tank Jan 10th! December 12 2013

Eyebloc is going in the Shark Tank! Founder and CEO CJ Isakow will appear in the first episode of 2014 of ABC's Shark Tank on January 10th to pitch Eyebloc to five of the savviest investors in the world. Our friends at Inthecapital wrote a followup article about the big news: 

It was an amazing experience preparing for the show, filming in Los Angeles, and meeting the sharks.  While its a simple idea, there is a true business opportunity to help keep private lives private.

Shark Tank returns January 10th on ABC at 9 PM EST or check it out on demand. Watch to see if Eyebloc manages to catch a shark. 

The FBI Has Been Hacking Webcams December 06 2013

The Washington Post's latest article on the FBI reveals the extent that webcam privacy has been eroded. In the pursuit of a suspect known simply as "Mo," the FBI used malware to their own advantage. From the article:

We don't have a problem with the FBI using the tools at their disposal to catch criminals - but some courts, including one in Texas, have found the practice to potentially be in violation of the Fourth Amendment. And if the FBI can develop this kind of software, it's not a stretch to think that unscrupulous hackers could develop the same thing. 

Read the entire article at The Washington Post

Webcam Hackers Blackmailed a Detroit Teenager into Pawning His Mother's Jewelery October 14 2013

You don't have to look like Miss Teen USA to be a victim of webcam hacking and internet blackmail.  This normal teenage boy fell victim to a criminal who extorted thousands of dollars from him after hacking his webcam.  Presumably he was doing things in his room he didn't want on the internet.  

Here is an except from a recent article in Vice

"According to reports, this scam is becoming increasingly common. Hackers trick someone into installing a remote access application, switch on their webcam when they’re doing something "indiscreet," then Facebook message them a copy of the video, and threaten to show it to their parents/significant other/boss/whomever the person in the video would least like to see it. In short, it’s a crime of that type of psychopathic genius I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

In the case of Hector Hernandez, the scheme paid off to the tune of $1,700 in three installments, money he was able to get his hands on by pawning $100,000 worth of jewelry he stole from his family (which doesn't seem like a very good deal.) The scammers probably used a trojan horse to install the remote access tool or “RAT virus”, as they’re calling it on TV news, on Hector's computer. "

Webcam hacking is a serious issue that has the potential to affect all computer users, no matter age, sophistication, or looks.  Remember: it's better to be careful than to be blackmailed. Don't forget to cover your webcam.