Spyware can listen in. This is the Windows setting I always change

–PCWorld 

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This trick also improves day-to-day PC use, too. Malware can gain access to more than just documents and apps on your PC. Get infected with a certain kind of virus, and your camera and microphone are fair game, too. You can minimize part of the headache by disabling unused microphones.