Do you need to stay on top of everything that happens in your house/office while you are away? You can easily convert the webcam on your laptop into a spy camera.
Your laptop can be used as a covert surveillance device. Simply leave the laptop running with the web camera to secretly capture or record images with the help of spying software. Moreover, there are numerous free and paid spying programs that can assist you in converting your laptop into a monitoring device.
We’ll show you how to spy using your laptop camera and highlight three effective software that can help you. We’ll also give you tips on how to spy secretly with your laptop.
Why Do You Need a Laptop Camera to Spy?
There are numerous reasons for spying on with a laptop camera:
- Monitoring: Monitoring employees, kids, or a spouse is one of the foremost reasons for using a laptop camera to spy.
- Gathering Evidence: Another reason for using your laptop camera to spy is to gather evidence on someone, such as a cheating spouse.
- Preventing Theft: Spying with a laptop camera can help catch a thief because it records them without their knowledge.
How To Spy with A Laptop Camera
It only takes a few steps to transform your laptop camera into a surveillance camera.
- First, you’ll need a laptop with a webcam and spy software. However, if your laptop doesn’t have a functioning webcam, you’ll need an external webcam.
- Then, position the laptop in front of the area to be monitored.
- Install the software and connect your webcam. You can also give it a name for easy identification.
- Check that the webcam is functioning properly. You can also modify the viewing angle to your preference.
There you have it! With these steps, your laptop will be more than capable of serving as a surveillance device. That said, spying software is the most important tool for turning your laptop into a surveillance device. Here are three of the best spying software you can download:
1. iSpy
iSpy is an open-source application that allows you to remotely monitor anywhere of your choice. The software program includes a recording system and an alarm system, and it can send screengrabs to your other devices if it detects an intruder.
iSpy supports multiple IP cameras and microphones. When it detects motion, it begins recording automatically. However, to enable this feature on your laptop, you’ll need to pay between $7 and $50 monthly.
It is simple to set up iSpy. This software connects to your webcam and records any motion captured by the camera. Furthermore, you can configure motion capture settings and set certain locations to monitor.
How to set up iSpy:
- After installing iSpy, open the configuration window by selecting Add from the top left menu.
- The Local Device tab displays all of your computer’s connected devices, including webcams and USB cameras. Select your preferred camera and resolution and start spying.
2. Yaw Cam
Yaw Cam is a free software program that allows you to set up a surveillance system using your laptop’s web camera. The software is simple to install and has numerous effective features. Yaw Cam can be configured to track and capture motion in any part of your house or office.
Furthermore, the app notifies you of any intrusion by sending high-quality images through email or the FTP site. You can also configure your photo notifications to use your email address and receive instant live alerts on your other device.
How to set up Yaw Cam:
- Install Yaw Cam after downloading it.
- Select the Settings tab from the Yaw cam console.
- Go to Device > Change to and click on the Integrated camera option.
- Choose whether to output the images as a File, FTP, HTTP, or Stream. For testing purposes, we’ll choose File.
- Then, click on Motion detection from the Window tab.
- Select Settings next to the Save video option on the Actions tab.
- Select a file location for your images and select OK.
- Tick on the Save image box and close the window.
- Lastly, click the Enable button next to motion on the Yaw cam console.
3. NetCam Studio
NetCam Studio is another surveillance software that uses innovative technology to make security setup simple for users. This monitoring software is based on advanced video buffering technology and uses recording sync features to automate video recording on NetCam. NetCam Studio, with its simple interface, is an excellent choice for meeting your security surveillance needs at your house, office, or even outside premises.
How to set up Netcam Studio:
- After installing Netcam Studio, launch the server application and press the Play button to launch it.
- You must also launch the client application by clicking on the Windows Client icon in the Server app’s top toolbar.
- Then navigate to the Add Video Source window. Here you can select the camera devices you want to add. Once you’ve connected them, the webcam feeds are viewable in the client apps.
How To Spy Secretly with Your Laptop Camera
Now that you know how to use your laptop webcam as a spy camera, you’ll still need to learn to use it secretly, so other people aren’t aware. Here are a few helpful tips
- Disable sleep mode on your computer. Disabling sleep mode ensures the laptop is always switched on while monitoring.
- Hide the camera or webcam light. Hiding the webcam light is crucial so the person being recorded doesn’t get spooked. Consider covering the webcam light with tape.
- Place the laptop in the right location. We recommend placing the laptop in an open area with no object obstructing the camera.
- Keep the laptop plugged into a power source. This is important so the battery doesn’t run out and possibly misses out on something important.
Conclusion
Monitoring with a camera is an effective deterrent from break-ins and theft. However, using a surveillance camera system does not have to be expensive. You can set up a personalized webcam surveillance system that runs all day using only your laptop. So, follow our guide to using a laptop camera to spy.
