Set up your webcam as a burglar alarm

As we said in our three options to secure your home, it's now common consensus that your home has never been more at risk from burglary and break-in.

It doesn't take expensive equipment and complicated software to make some steps in the right direction, however. Here, we'll show you in five steps how to get updates from your webcam throughout the day.

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1. Keep 'em peeled

Install the WebCam Looker software and ensure that current drivers for the webcam are also set up. When you plug in your camera, start WebCam Looker and dismiss the wizard box. You should now see a live image feed of the area you want to monitor.

2. Get set

Choose the Settings menu on the bottom of the viewing area. From this menu you can set destinations for images taken on your PC and set up web servers. To set up your email alerts to keep you posted while you’re away click Use Motion Detector.

3. Feed Me

Click Detector settings to set the preferences for WebCam Looker’s motion sensors. Next select Destinations to choose the place your feed images will be sent. You can choose from email, web, FTP, HTTP and local network. Next select Add new destination.

4. Mail Man

Choose Send e-mail from the drop-down list then select Mail Setup. Input the outgoing and incoming email addresses as well as your message text. You may have to set up the SMTP settings with details of your incoming and outgoing email servers.

5. You've been framed

When the camera detects movement you’ll be emailed a picture of the intruder. You can personalise your email subject line and text so it grabs your attention. When you open it an image file will be attached, hopefully capturing the face of your hapless intruder.

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