Use your webcam as a security camera This was an article I came across on lifehacker, which pointed to the actual howto.

Lifehacker article:

http://lifehacker.com/software/security/use-your-webcam-as-a-security-camera-203905.php

The Simple Help guide:

http://www.simplehelp.net/2006/09/27/how-to-use-your-pc-and-webcam-as-a-motion-detecting-and-recording-security-camera/

If the link to the guide is down, try the attached PDF.

– FredPettis - 15 Aug 2008

How to use your PC and Webcam as a motion-detecting and recording security camera