Off-the-self webcam security cameras are commonly known as IP CCTV cameras, which are almost the easiest web-based security camera system type.

This type of Internet home security camera system is accessed directly over a network connection, which can be linked directly to your mobile phone, PC, Mac, etc. thanks to the P2P technology.

Another type of network-based security camera is turning the computer webcam into a video surveillance camera with third-party software.

If you wanna keep a tab on your kids, pets, or front porch, garage, etc. from afar with the plug-and-play Internet security cameras, you’ll get the top 3 picks here. And if you are a DIY lover, you can turn your laptop or computer webcam into a security camera with the step-by-step guide here.

Content:
Part 1. Play-and-Go Webcam Security Camera Top Picks
Part 2. Internet Webcam Security Camera Further Insights
Part 3. Turn a Webcam into a Security Camera (Detailed DIY Steps)
Part 4. Know More Details About Webcam Spy & Hacking

#1. Plug-and-Play Webcam Security Camera Top 3 Picks for Your Home & Business

Webcam security cameras typically include 3 main types: wire-free battery powered webcam monitors, traditional WiFi webcams, & PoE webcam surveillance CCTV cameras.

You can check the 3 best webcam security camera systems for your home and business security. All of them are under $130 with no any subscription fees and with free shipping.

The recommended 3 types of webcam security cameras are extremely easy to install and set up. They all come with free software for you to access the remote online web-controlled security cameras with your PC, Mac, iPhone or Android mobile phones.

1. ZOSI ZNC281 Battery Powered Webcam Security Camera

ZOSI ZNC281 home IP webcam security camera detects motion events with the sensitive PIR motion sensor. You’ll get much more accurate motion alerts compared with other types of motion activated webcam IP security cameras.

Some wireless web-enabled security cameras may need you to connect the WiFi multiple times before functioning. This camera, however, will connect to your home router automatically after the initial setup. The Internet connection is fast and smoothly, so you don’t need to worry about the connection failure.

You can check the high definition video captured by this wireless home surveillance web camera (shared by a customer).

You can view more smart features of ZOSI ZNC281 wireless webcam security camera in the below chart.

Product	ZOSI ZNC281
Definition	1080p (2MP) Full HD
Audio	Two-Way Audio with the Built-in Mic & Speaker
Night Vision	Starlight Night Vision (Up to 33ft)
IP Rating	IP65 (Can Be Used Both Outdoors & Indoors)

ZOSI ZNC281 series got featured in over 40+ top-tier media, and was praised by the editors who’ve tested, and got a lot of ”4 stars” or ”5 stars” reviews from people for its innovative design and outstanding features.

When in CES 2018, a lot of attendees showed great interest in ZOSI ZNC281. And the representative of Indiegogo awarded this camera as the ”Innovative Product 2018”.

2. IPC-2612D PoE Webcam CCTV Security Camera

IPC-2612D webcam security camera can be plugged directly into your home router with a Cat 5 or 6 PoE cable. You can access the motion detection webcam security camera with your PC, Mac, iPhone or Android smart phones both locally and remotely.

This webcam surveillance monitor can be connected to an NVR for 24/7 video recording. You can locate the motion videos or fast forward/rewind the recorded videos when connecting the NVR to a TV or your PC.

You can view the video of this web-accessible security camera (shared by a customer).

You can discover more features of the web-enabled surveillance camera below.

Product	IPC-2612D
Definition	1440p (4MP) Super HD
Audio	Support Audio Recording
Night Vision	Up to 100ft
IP Rating	IP66 (Can Be Used Both Outdoors & Indoors)

A customer who bought this IPC-2612D webcam IP security camera posted a review on Amazon, stating as below:

This camera has paid for itself. We were burglarized and thanks to footage from this camera the local police department caught the guy that did it. Got my PS4 back! Thanks ZOSI for a solid product at an amazing price. The officer said it was the best video footage they had ever received and it was instrumental in catching the guy.

3. ZBC288W Wireless Remote Webcam Security Camera

ZBC288W is one of the best wireless Internet webcam security cameras. The dual-band WiFi design, 5MP high definition and other smart features make this WiFi webcam security outperform its rivals.

You can simply make the wireless motion-capture web security camera work by powering it. You can just access the outdoor & indoor webcam IP camera with 3 simple steps: install the client or app, scan the QR code of the camera, and get live streaming.

You would be spoiled by the 5MP high definition! Watch the below video captured by this wireless web-based security recording camera (shared by a customer). You can also check the more excellent features of this WiFi webcam security camera in the below chart.

Product	ZBC288W
Definition	5MP High Definition
Night Vision	Up to 100ft
Dual-Band WiFi	2.4/5 GHz
Zoom	4X Optical Zoom
IP Rating	IP66 (Can Be Used Both Outdoors & Indoors)

#2. Dig Further into Internet Webcam Security Cameras

Internet-accessible security cameras are a kind of video camera that transmits data over the LAN or the Internet. Web-enabled security cameras allow you to connect to the Internet via a broadband network and view live streaming remotely with your smart devices.

Some home web surveillance cameras require a physical cable to work, while others are wireless and transmit the data over WiFi or radiofrequency.

Webcam IP security cameras normally come with the free client and smartphone app, which enables you to configure the cameras on your PC, Mac, mobile phones, etc.

In terms of computer built-in or external webcam video cameras, you need third-party software to set up the cameras to make them function. The setup process would be much more complicated than the IP surveillance camera type. (You’ll get the DIY steps to turn your computer webcam into a security camera in the next part.)

There are 3 main types of Internet security cameras that are popular in the market.

• Wired network security cameras: The wired security cameras connect to the broadband modem or router via an RJ45 or Ethernet cable. This connection way is almost the fastest and most stable way, removing the chances of signal interference.

• Wireless webcam security cameras: This type of wireless security camera sends and receives the data over WiFi, without using a physical wire to connect to the router. These cameras are much easier to install and re-locate compared with the wired type.

• 4G webcam security cameras: This type of security camera is undoubtedly the easiest Internet security camera type. The cameras are equipped with cellular transmitters themselves, typically operating over the 3G/4G cellular data. They don’t even need the router to be in place. In other words, you can access the cameras remotely even without an Internet connection.

#3. How to Use Your PC or Laptop Webcam as a Security IP Camera

You can turn your computer webcam into a security camera with suitable webcam surveillance software.
When you DIY a CCTV surveillance camera with your computer webcam, you need to keep your Windows PC or Mac running all the time.

You can download the below popular free web camera software for your laptop, Windows or Mac computer to DIY a webcam security camera.

• iSpy
• Yawcam
• SecuritySpy

You can check more free or paid webcam software here.

Now please follow the below steps to convert your webcam into a security camera with premium or free software (here we take iSpy software as an example).

Step 1. Place the USB or wireless webcam in the place you want to monitor. If you use a USB webcam, make sure that the cable is long enough to connect your webcam to your computer.

Step 2. Download and install the iSpy web-based security camera software to your Windows or Mac computer.

Step 3. Add the local webcam to this monitoring software, and name the camera. Remember to check the Camera Active box to turn on the laptop or computer webcam.

Step 4. In the Edit Camera menu, you are gonna see 6 options in this panel. You can enable the functions you want based on your specific needs.

Step 5. Go back to the home screen, and turn on your camera. Now you can view the live streaming!

We’ve got a post the covers every detail about making a security camera with a webcam. This post is written by ZOSI senior tech editor, who is also a DIY lover. You can check this post here.

Please note that the software you use to turn the webcam into the surveillance camera is free to use, but some of its advanced features, such as remote monitoring, are premium. You need to pay monthly fees for more advanced functions, which would be a great budget in the long run.

With the same money, you can buy a professional and high-quality easy-to-use wired or wireless webcam security camera system.

Another big issue of the webcam is the privacy issue. You can learn more about webcam spy in the below part.

#4. Webcam Spy & Hacking: Linked to Our Daily Life

Can people really spy on me through my laptop or smartphone camera?

The answer will surprise and worry you.

Webcam spy is a serious issue. Victims of webcam hacks have seen images and videos of themselves – regularly in states of undress or in compromising situations. Those malicious hackers even publicize the victims’ images and videos on the Internet.

Those hackers typically use the Trojan horse malware to hack into your webcam to spy on you. This malicious code is hidden within seemingly innocent files. Once you download the file, you open your door to the hackers.

You should secure your laptop or computer webcam by running some solid anti-virus software. If you are using an external USB or wireless webcam, the easiest way for you to prevent webcam spying and hacking is to simply unplug it.

In terms of webcam IP security cameras, they are also at risk of being hacked. Hackers can gain access to your home network security cameras in multiple ways, such as guessing the security passphrase or spoofing the networking. Some of hackers can even access the unsecured video feeds with the default logins.

That’s the main reason why you need to change the default login information upon you install the web-enabled security cameras.

Bump: You can check this post to see if your security camera has been hacked.

You can try the below tips to prevent your webcam security cameras being hacked:

• Secure passwords.
• Secure the router.
• Limit devices.
• Upgrade firmware.

Compared with your computer webcam, plug-and-play web-based security cameras that are secured by multi-level encryptions would be a better choice.

Webcam security cameras can be used directly once you power them. And innovative security camera companies will secure their outdoor and indoor Internet security cameras with encrypted protocols, and provide constant firmware/software update to keep those awful hackers at bay to the greatest extent.

For example, the above-recommended webcam security cameras are secured by SSL, WPA2-AES, and SSL-TLS-enabled encryptions. With the multi-level secured encryptions, these security cameras are almost impossible to be hacked. You don’t need to worry about that your webcam videos are intercepted and invaded by crackers.

If you worry about your budget, you can check the best cheap webcam security cameras with high quality here.

Please note that ”Cheap” doesn’t necessarily mean low quality. Those advanced and innovative security camera companies always keep improving their technology and make these Internet security cameras and systems affordable for everyone.

If you have any questions about webcam security cameras or any ideas you want to share with us, please leave them in the comment below!