Setting up a home security system can be an expensive chore. Many of the better ones even require a monthly subscription to keep your house safe and sound. However, for the smart DIY-er, you can setup a security camera that not gives you a live feed, but also sends email alerts with still images. The best part is that if you have the right parts lying around, it can be done for free.

All you’re going to need is an old webcam and an unused computer. It doesn’t need to be anything powerful, just something that can run at least Windows 2000/XP. The only thing you’re likely going to have to purchase is a USB extension cable, since you’ll need to run it from your camera to the computer. Once you get everything wired up, the software is easy to setup, and will alert you whenever someone comes to your door. There are a variety of notifications that you can set, all of which are outlined in this tutorial.