The_Mama_Cass_Ostrea asks:
"Does anyone have experience using a webcam and a cellphone for remote security? I am raising shellfish in a hatchery / nursery on a 51 foot pontoon boat, anchored offshore in Chesepeake Bay. Recently the boat and it's contents were damaged by vandals. Since my day job writing software won't permit me to guard the boat 24/7, I want to set up some sort of webcam / cellphone security monitoring system that would be effective day and night. And since I am doing this on a small scale, without the money for a professional security firm, an inexpensive, open source solution would be preferred. Any suggestions would be appreciated, as would the experieces of anyone who has done anything similar." Cool idea! Has anyone tried this in practice and can pass along a few hints? I was thinking about installing webcams in the home sometime this summer, but the remote security aspect never occured to me.
An anonymous submitted this related tidbit: "I want to have a couple of video cameras and a storage array to capture and store a couple of days worth of both internal and external activity. What (Linux application) software and hardware is available? How does one overlay a running-clock with the video signal? Also would be nice to be able to login via the web and look at live signals and review stored data." This is a bit more complex than setting up a few webcams, but the ideas in here are interesting enough. Would some of these things be possible with consumer grade equipment? The time overlay is a useful idea, however I don't know if many webcams support such features.
Thoughts on the problem and solution: (Score:1)
Aqueous location.
Thoughts: Perpetrators are swimming or traveling by boat to the
site. With respect to swimming, it will be nearly impossible to
identify them, with the exception if they leave the water and actually
board the boat. Boats would carry identification markers that would
be much more suitable for the purpose of tracking them down.
Traditional security relies on physical barriers: Walls, locks,
concrete, steel, etc. Followed up with alarms designed to pique the
interest of the local population and summon the authorities.
The Aqueous nature suggests no physical barriers are possible.
The Remote location suggests there is no local population. Consider
altering the location of the boat to a more populated area.
Physical harm of the perpetrators is acceptable in many areas of the
United States, but only if you are physically present, directly
involved, and willing to tolerate extensive legal troubles. Traps
that do permanent physical damage are not considered acceptable/legal.
Electrical stunners or dye-marking paint is a viable option.
I suggest fluorescent pink for your color scheme, if you go with this
latter option. Simple expensive sensors: Ultrasonic, light beams,
Infrared detectors, etc would be appropriate for triggering such
devices.
On site surveillance is questionable. The equipment is subject to
theft or damage. A superior solution might be remote observation from
a land-based source via an astronomy-grade telescope attached to a
video camera. Remote controls could be created so as to allow you to
zoom in, or track, perpetrators during the crime in progress, all via
an Internet connection.
Web cameras are suboptimal. They run at a greatly reduced resolution,
with only a handful of frames per second. [e.g. 160x120x2] This is
sufficient if you are staring directly at the camera. I doubt your
perpetrators will be so cooperative.
For hardware, I would suggest tracking down a Matrox Marvel G400-TV
video card. This is the best product I've found so far for video
capture. It supports hardware-based JPEG capture at NTSC [704x480x60]
under linux. Unfortunately, Matrox has recently stopped producing
this card, so you will need to move quickly if you wish to acquire
one.
Averaging the images over the last minute or so, and checking the
standard deviation should allow you to detect intruders.
In terms of long term storage of video data, consider a video cassette
recorder [VCR]. The data storage requirements are huge for digitized
video data.
Alternatively, you could store just the digitized video data relating
to when interesting things began to happen.
Axis Cameras (Score:2)
I would strongly recommend an Axis 2120 Camera [axis.com]. They have an auto iris lense to prevent it from damage when exposed to sunlight, it can also be hooked up via 10/100 ethernet or standard serial port to a land line or a cellular modem.
This will provide for much more scalability. It also has built in motion detection and can send pictures via FTP before after and during a break in. It also has a build in web server, and can alert you via email when an alarm is triggered.
Re:Um... (Score:1)
The biggest problem with such an arrangement is that the airtime costs would end up being astronomical. Even top of the line plans with most carriers don't include nearly enough minutes for 24/7 connectivity. And the overage adds up quickly.
A Ricochet, as suggested in another post, is a decent idea, but this doesn't sound like the kind of area in which there would be coverage. If you have property line of site with the monitored location, you could possibly do your own wireless network of some sort...
Re:Um... (Score:1)
Very easy. (Score:2)
If so - piece of cake. Hook 'em up, either write some software (Linux-wise) to do regular posts of the images to a web server over radio modem somewhere, or get any one of the countless Windows apps that have been written for just this sort of thing off the 'net...
The more I think about this, the more I realise it was pretty dumb to waste an "Ask Slashdot" on it
How about securitylight? (Score:2)
Rumor has it the software was written originally because an SGI owned warehouse kept getting ripped off overnight even with the security guard on duty. It turns out the security guard was bringing his girlfriend in for sex, and she was swiping supplies on her way out. Of course this anecdote is all fourth or fifth generation information, all accuracy may be coincidental.
Down that path lies madness. On the other hand, the road to hell is paved with melting snowballs.
Re:Questions (Score:1)
Not really. Been watching freshmeat much? I read it daily, and there's already motion-detection software for linux available.
Problem solved.
Re:Questions (Score:1)
you're my idol (Score:1)
if ($user =~ m/shaldannon/i) {
print "\n-- $user
}
Re:Sometimes it doesn't work out too well.... (Score:3)
Re:X10 X10 X10! (Score:1)
Especially given the theft problem (they could only steal half the camera) and the remote location, the X10 remote cameras sound good, but there's no "brightness" control on the CCD's -- it needs extremely good illumination. Most of my interior rooms aren't sufficiently lit to discern objects using the X10 remote cameras -- you have to open curtains, and then you can only see outside.
Or just do what I did: Remove the IR filter and flood the inside of the boat with IR light. The intruders won't see it but you'll have full view of them. I've done this to catch the neighbour's cat in my garbage and it works wonderfully.
Cameras vary, but most I've seen follow this basic removal procedure: Screw off the lens. If you can't get the IR filter out from that side you'll have to take the plastic assembly apart to get at the filter. (It's usually a piece of glass with a blue-ish film and it's usually right before the CCD itself, after the lens assembly. I've never seen it a part of the lens assembly.) Anyway take it out and reassemble. The camera will be practically useless during daylight (too much IR flooding the CCD) but it's awesome at night, especially with a good size IR lamp.
Where to get an IR lamp? Do some web searches or buy lamps which you can fit IR filters over. I've modded the X10 little 1" colour camera, Quickcams and a few USB cams of unknown make.
Re:X10 X10 X10! (Score:1)
You're right; B&W Cameras will be better but you want LOTS of light... you'll need a pretty serious cluster of IR LEDs, even the high output ones (this all depends, of course, on the size of the area you want to illuminate and whether the surfaces reflect or absorb IR)
Real security and risks (Score:1)
First, is aquaculture your hobby or business? This is important because it judges the possible financial loss. If this is a business, buy insurance. Pure and simple. Get enough insurance to cover potential losses. If the premiums are too high, find a small insurance agency and start negotiating discounts for security systems, guards, safer marina, locks, etc. No amount of prevention is perfect and insurance is generally the best option for businesses.
If this is a hobby, then insurance is probably too cost prohibitive. You are on your own. So, first look at your potential enemies. Potential enemies include industrial sabatoge (perhaps a big aquaculture company doesn't like what you're doing), environment groups (if you are doing research involving transgenic fish), vandals, and anyone who hates you. Look for how to protect against these enemies.
There is nothing you can do to prevent industrial or environment sabatoge if this is your hobby. Forget it. Companies have too much money and destructive environmentalists are operating out of ethics. Nothing will stop them. Luckily, the liklihood of one of these groups targetting you is very slim.
Vandals commit crimes of opportunity. This act seems to be the act of vandals. A web cam won't prevent them, but a motion activated siren and
lights might. The idea of a dog is a pretty good one, actually. If the platform is large enough, considering investing in a good watchdog. Make sure they have enough room to run. Get some automated feeders and waterers for the dog and provide plenty of shelter. As long as you visit the dog every few days, this is a very cost effective preventative. Two dogs would give them company and actually reduce behavioral problems.
Any enemies you have would probably not be detered by the siren/lights combination. They would, however, think twice about murdering a dog or two. That's a pretty serious crime. If they are willing to go that far, however, you probably won't be able to stop them anyway.
Now, the camera idea would work for acting upon and investigating a crime. Acting upon a crime would require you to be notified when something was occurring. It could page or call you. You could then call the harbor police or coast guard to intercept the crime in progress. Investigation, while helpful to the police, really doesn't help you. You won't get your property back if you figure out who did it. All you may get back is satisfaction. If that is important to you, then go ahead with the cameras.
Good luck,
Dave
Logitech Digital Radar (Score:2)
I'm a little surprised that no one else has brought up this smart alec issue, so I'll do it. Why are you storing valuable stuff in a boat? Boats really aren't a bastion of security. Surely there ought to be a better place to put these things.
Re:cell phone bills (Score:1)
Re:My new BMW M3 got vandalized (Score:2)
X10.com has a "VCR commander" that triggers a vcr record function when an event is received. I forget, but i think it's wireless in the video and possibly the trigger channel, so you could link the alarm or a motion detector to the thing and get it to trigger a home VCR.
Maybe you can trigger it from the airbag too, and avoid lengthy litigation after a crash. You'd need an on-board recorder for that, though.
Something to add.... SPEAKERS! (Score:1)
"Hey you kids, get out of there. I just called the cops! You in the red jacket, does your Mom know what your doing? I'm going to send her this image. What's your email address?"
X-10 has what you probably want... (Score:2)
Go check out X-10's web site. In addition to the very cool Firecracker that every /.'er should have by now cause it was just about free, they have wireless XCam2's [x10.com] that transmit to a receiver on the 2.4Ghz band. Plus lots of accessories to hook those to websites, wide-angle views, VCR recording, and such.
Plus, it's always nice to support a company that makes cool hardware and opens up the control protocol for those of us who can write our own drivers.
Webcam may not be your answer (Score:4)
First, I like what you're doing -- aquaculture is seriously cool. Keep it up.
Second, your problem here is not to identify the vandals after they've come and gone. Sure, you might be able to put them in jail (if you're lucky). I wouldn't count on them being able to financially reimburse you.
You don't want anything like this to happen again. The way to ensure that is to move your boat to a better marina. Find a marina with a resident harbormaster -- if he lives there, he'll make damn sure that it's secure.
Those kinds of marina slips are expensive, so maybe you can use the info on webcams that people are giving here to barter with the harbormaster -- in return for a discounted slip, you provide a remote camera system for the other tenents. Not much for security, but it makes boat people feel better if they can check on their boat whenever they want. Especially if they're a 40' Hatteras boat person...
"Beware by whom you are called sane."
Re:Sometimes it doesn't work out too well.... (Score:5)
Re:For other webcam uses. (Score:1)
--
Re:CLARIFICATION (Score:1)
matguy
Re:Invest wisely (Score:2)
--
Re:Invest wisely (Score:2)
Oooo, that's very shellfish of you not to invite your friends!!!!
--
Re:don't record audio (Score:2)
I thought that, in the US, illegal evidence wasn't admissible ONLY when it was collected by a police force. So, the private guy-collected evidence would definitely be admissible...
--
Re:Logitech Digital Radar (Score:2)
That helped a friend of mine get even with his landlord. He lives in a downtown hi-rise with a nazi manager. One small clause in the lease is interpreted by the nazi that one can't use a portable washing machine. But my friend does, and gets regular shit from the bitch manager assistant.
So he said that he's not using the washing machine at all.
But we had some suspicion that the building management didn't play cool, so I had him buy that very webcam because it had the software and we set it up.
After a week of daily monitoring, we caught a janitor walking in and having a look around, especially at the washing machine hidden under a blanket (he lifted the blanket to make sure it was the washing machine). He then left, showing he was only looking for that. Bingo!
We promptly called the nazi in (for good measure, we had a laundry load running at the time), and showed him the movie, and said that if we'd heard any other word about the washing machine, we'd not only turn-in the janitor to the police (we din't do that, cause the kid is really nice and helpful outside the nazi channels), and himself for giving the order, but also file a harassment charge with the rental board (up to $50,000 fine) and ask for a rent rebatement for the diminution of quality of life.
As you can expect, my friend heard no more about it and didn't get a rent increase...
--
What about publication by gov't agencies? (Score:1)
----
Re:Very easy. (Score:2)
I disagree somewhat with using "cheap" usb cameras. If you can't see what's going on in the picture, what's it worth to you?
Also, keep in mind that the appearance of surveilance is actually more important than the actual surveilance. That's why you can buy plastic boxes with LEDs on them look like cameras, and one of the reasons why security camera domes are so dark. It wouldn't hurt to make it look like you have several cameras when you really only have one.
At any rate, the threat of identifying someone as a perpetrator is more important than just having the camera there. What good does it do if they trash it again and you have blurry pictures identifying the perp as a black, asian, native american, or tan caucasian male or female, 17-40 years old?
Paranoia (Score:3)
Or for a less obvious example, suppose you're a Fortune 500 company, well you could spend, say, 500 dollars installing alarms on each of the company's 5000 cars, let's even assume it stops all theft. If you know with a high degree of certainty that
Although this example is simplistic, it takes into consideration some of the actual concerns that are at issue for companies and people. Put simply, some money is better off invested elsewhere. Paranoia can cost you time and money.
Furthermore, I would argue that unbridled paranoia might actually result in worse security, because perspective is lost and the real threats are not properly analyzed and responded to.
don't record audio (Score:2)
And sometimes it does! (Score:1)
A fellow in Australia caught some pretty good pictures of thieves who came into his house and forgot to steal the webcam.
http://www.geocities.com/osz/rob2/wanted.htm [geocities.com]
Re:Web cams are a stop-gap solution. (Score:2)
...stuck at the pier cuz of budget cutbacks...
Gspy might do what you need (Score:1)
retrieves images from a video4linux device and has motion detection algorithms
Why not get llamas instead? (Score:1)
http://www.chicago.tribune.com/news/nationworld
Re:Web cams are a stop-gap solution. (Score:2)
While, I imagine the satisfaction of Cuisinarting bad guys (a la "Reason vs. Pirates" in Snow Crash), your neigbours may be a bit annoyed when the depleted uranium slugs tear through their boats as well.
Better [mitretek.org] solutions [mitretek.org] that can blow away in the wind...(as long as the neighbors aren't around, everything is ok)
Not OSS but.. (Score:2)
Probably not as small scale as you want.. but cool anyway.
hacked one such thing myself... (Score:1)
The script is very small, written in (gasp) perl with the support of a small C program, in just 2-3 hours (meaning: it's ugly, but it does "some" job.). If there's any interest, i could release those few lines of code to open source (just reread the comments to this for any updates - the boss's firewall wont let me download it from here).
I thinkered with the idea of using it for security purposes the day somebody had played with my car during the night (no harm done). I would have had to boost the number of "interesting" images kept from 20 to a large number to see almost everything that would happen to the car. By chance, I never really had to set up the webcam for that.
Heck, it works so well so that i knew when our roommate brought visitors home...
What it does:
1. Using my regular webcam software + ftp, just upload one image file to a directory on my linux box
2. Using the small C deamon, start the perl script, which does:
3. Calculate a value representing the image's parameters, and returns it to the c program
4. Compare the value to the 20 others, and save the image if the value is sufficiently different from the others. The more "interesting" (i.e. different) the images were in the day, the less chance they had to be thrown away.
C.
(meunierc2@nospam.netscape.net, meunierc@mail.com)
X10 (Score:1)
iRobot's got the coolest spin... (Score:2)
Well the celphone part may not be difficult. (Score:1)
What that script could do is send an email to your telephone, or page your pager. Since a lot of celphone/pager companies offer this service, it seems like a good way to get this part done.
As for the first part with the video -- you could write a program that captures some video somehow, and then sees how much different one frame is from one captured, say, a second before (through a sum of the per-pixel difference squared or soemthing).
All in all it would take some time, but I don't see it as being impossible to accomplish.
Re:Sometimes it doesn't work out too well.... (Score:1)
Re:cell phone bills (Score:1)
Re:Beowolf Cluster? (Score:1)
Have Switch Be The Alarm Trigger (Score:1)
Re:Mixing Security (Score:1)
"Don't Go Into The Basement" (Score:1)
Re:Mixing Security (Score:2)
Although I suppose you could have a film camera in a device which would be ejected overboard and which would propel itself or hide for later pickup. That's not-quite-local storage.
Someone else to ask. (Score:3)
"If you want to break into our place, you had better take down our net connection."
Unfortunately, despite @stake.com's front-page claims that "all old l0pht material is available on this site", not everything is.
They had a video camera pointed at their door, at what looked like a 10-15 foot distance. The picture was clear and fairly good size. I've no idea how often it refreshed. Of course, this setup assumes that all intruders will be barging in through the front castle gate.
I've considered doing the same thing in my new apartment, since I own two webcams that I can't use at work anymore.
Seems to me there are lessons to learn from JWZ's experience. One, don't use a crappy teenybopper-vidchat-designed Quickcam for this unless you can get nice sharp pictures from it. Two, go for a higher refresh rate than 30 seconds -- if it takes someone less than 30 seconds to walk from the door to the cam, its not a good idea is it? And three, try not to put it right behind the door and plainly visible.
--Keith "And four, make sure the audio is muted so they don't hear the fake 'cha-click' sound" Tyler
--
Problem with infrared cameras... (Score:1)
It might not be too hard to set it up so that it starts recording when it detects motion. Then it runs for, say, five minutes and then goes back to waiting for motion. Reduces the amount of data stored, lets you get a good frame rate.
Of course, if you can detect motion, then just hook it up to a klaxon. If someone triggers it and doesn't punch in the right code within 30 seconds, they get an earsplitting howl (and maybe you get paged).
At this point, though, you're pretty close to a standard security system. Probably cheaper just to buy and install one. Maybe set up the webcam to start recording when the alarm goes off (or just before), so you get good evidence.
Recording sound (Score:1)
If anyone is interested in this code, you can get it from here [utoronto.ca]. Unfortunately, I don't have time right now to package it up nicely or answer questions about it so just take it for what it's worth.
How 'bout these babies? (Score:1)
From the movie Aliens special edition. Pictures are Copyright 1986 20th Century Fox Film Corporation [accesscom.com]
Re:motion (Score:1)
I haven't tweaked motion to get it to watch all four cameras on my property, but I'm working on it. The mpeg capability of mpeg is a nice toy, but not useful in a security situation. In the remote situation, motion would email you if there was motion detected, but I guess that a shellfish farming operation probably has a lot of motion due to waves, wind, etc. Rain can also appear as motion unless some tuning of the motion detection is done.
Re:i haven't done it but... (Score:1)
But it's not free or open or whatever. Don't go there is these things offend you. I suppose that for transmission of the data, the solutions using HAM packet radios would be perfect. I know nothing about them except that a buddy of mine has one in his Jeep and it works in crazy places!
BTW: you gotta check this site: the moustaches on the guy on the first page are just unbelieveable!
Re:Web cams are a stop-gap solution. (Score:2)
I wonder if you can just discard the overengineered search and track radar and put in one of those supermarket door motion sensors...
Re:open source camera server (Score:2)
someone should mod this one up
For other webcam uses. (Score:2)
Of course, if anyone is aware of the camera, it would be easy to hide from, and there is always a chance that I won't get a good enough picture to do any good legally, but its a start.
The page that accesses the webcams is at http://alignment.net
-Restil
Re:For other webcam uses. (Score:2)
-Restil
Re:For other webcam uses. (Score:2)
-Restil
Re:Web cams are a stop-gap solution. (Score:1)
(This is what I want for spammers!)
Re:ISPs do (Score:1)
Re:Raises more Questions (Re:And sometimes it does (Score:1)
the blue hat guy has shorter sideburns, and less of a beard. the red hat guy has longer sideburns and a larger beard (i wouldnt really call it a beard, but hey)
so unless the single robber shaved in the closet, im a bit leery to call them one and the same
Rack mount (Score:3)
--
No problem (Score:1)
X10 Motion sensors, no webcam yet (Score:1)
It also turns a fan on in the kitchen when zone one is tripped to deter the cats from jumping on the counter. The sensor is positioned so that it doesn't detect them, unless they jump on the counter. (Bad kitty!)
The next phase of the plan was to add a cheap webcam, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.
Re:Paranoia (Score:2)
Consider an employment situation. Some employee steals a $15 mouse, is it worth it to use a $500 camera system to nail them? Not considering that alone. But that same dishonest petty thief is probably ripping you off other places and it is better off for the employer if they are caught and dealt with sooner rather than later (or at all).
Now consider home security. Someone busts your mailbox. More than likely, it's some neighbor's kid a few doors down from you. Next time they flatten your car tires, and you're late for work and have to deal with the hassle of getting new tires. Now you can't relax, wondering who it is, and what will be next. Finding out who it is, having them busted, sending a message to the other yobs in the neighborhood, it's all worth far more than the value of the property damage and cost of security to bust them.
Re:Recording sound (Score:1)
So assuming the mp3 gets to the target machine before the power is killed, you get a wonderful recording of:
1) Key in lock
2) Door opening
3) Footsteps
4) *click* of computer being turned off
And this helps you how?
Re:Um... (Score:1)
+1 Paranoid (Score:2)
------
Re:Paranoia (Score:2)
------
Re:open source camera server (Score:1)
Re:Actually yea... (Score:2)
The cell phone wouldn't be constantly connected. The point is to have the computer call the cell phone when it detects an intruder.
It can get a bit annoying if the motion detection threshold is too low. If it's an outdoor view and you're doing motion detection based on the video image (as opposed to stand alone motion detection devices), then shadows, birds, boats, etc. can set off false alarms. Indoors, pets, changes in lighting conditions, etc can do the same.
I'd assume that a good system would allow you to view the images over the web or via dial-up connection and change some parameters (target region, change threshold, etc).
Sometimes it doesn't work out too well.... (Score:5)
o The webcam
o Two amplifiers
o The controller for the emulator lights
All he managed to get was a few blurry shots of the guy that stole the webcam.
How to nab a thief OR use regular security cams (Score:2)
We set the cameras up and let them rip that night. Enter the "perp", turns out our cleaning staff has it so bad that they were stealing not only our pop fund but they were sifting through our desktops (rifling through one guys CD rack) and generally doing things that breach their contract as cleaning staff! We took the video straight to the building manager and he was not impressed with what he saw. The next day we took down our cameras and duplexer (they were on loan) and we had new cleaning staff the next week.
What kind of world is it where you can't trust your own cleaning staff?
-----
Um... (Score:3)
I gotta admit, if I was gonna jump on a boat in the middle of nowhere, it would be unsettling to hear a phone ring. But I'd probably just take it.
ISPs do (Score:2)
Questions (Score:2)
2) Are you planning on remotely watching this all day (or having someone watch it), or do you want it to auto-detect thieves and take action only then?
3) Can you afford to have your cell phone connected 24/7?
With regards to 1, it won't be useful for catching anyone. With regards to 2, it will be very difficult (especially in uncontrolled conditions such as on a boat) to detect intruders in software. If you have a closed room you want to monitor, you might get away with it. 3 is related to 2 -- if you want it to transmit the data live, it's gonna cost a bundle. If you want it to call only if you're being robbed, you have a very difficult (possibly impossible) software problem on your hands.
-Puk
p.s. You could always put the webcam up on a web page and have people "Click HERE if I'm being robbed!"
Security around the house (Score:2)
I think a barking dog / police siren would do the trick. Or maybe the sound of a phone dialing and a computer voice saying "Intruder alert! The police have been called and are on their way..."
Its too bad you want a Linux solution. (Score:4)
At 2 TV stations. Every minute it does a rbg24 and pipes the ppm through ImageMagick.
To add the date gfont.
Like gfont -r 640x45 "`date '+Time:%l:%M:%S%p Date:%m-%d-%Y'`"
Take that result and do the append via ImageMagick.
Make them animated gifs or a
A keyboard USB chip is the input from the security sensors, and USB switches which camera is the live feed into the capture card. (Ya have to shield it because USB and 900 mhz phones don't play nice) As a benefit, the security testing is simple keystroke simulations.
Re:Actually yea... (Score:2)
bash-2.04$
Re:X10 X10 X10! (Score:2)
I'm guessing your just trolling, and fully aware of CDPD and GSM modems.
Anyway, this X10 thread is about a remote camera. The computer can be land based with a video capture card recieving signals from the boat -- it hopefully wouldn't need wireless internet.
Re:For other webcam uses. (Score:2)
Re:i haven't done it but... (Score:2)
Web cams are a stop-gap solution. (Score:5)
open source camera server (Score:3)
Grab the ISO here [iomojo.com].
Demo available at the URL in my sig...
Re:And sometimes it does! (Score:2)
Internet cameras (Score:2)
SupervisionCam (Score:2)
A couple construction sites here do this already (Score:2)
Webcams the best security (Score:3)
Back in my university days (i.e. eight months ago), a friend and I were in the computer lab doing some work. Or something to that effect. My friend had just picked up a webcam and had it streaming to his website for a few days and decided to show me his awesome webcam/HTML hax0ring abilities.
At the time, he was living in a basement apartment. The family upstairs gave him all the privacy he needed, but on this day (and probably many others), the privacy was nil.
Upon firing up the webcam site and logining in, we see a picture of his desk and chair sitting peacefully from the glorious vantage point of a monitor-mounted webcam. A few minutes later, things took a turn for the worse.
Into my friend's room walks the landlord's 14 year old son. "He isn't supposed to be in there," my friend says, a little worried.
He sits at the computer.
"He isn't supposed to be in here," my friend repeats.
The kid types something and fiddles with the mouse.
"He isn't supp... holy fuck!" The kid had dropped his pants and started flogging the dolphin right there in front of my friend's computer, most likely to Britney Spears or some pr0n site, and in plain view of anyone who happened to be checking out the webcam.
Needless to say, the bedroom door suddenly acquired a padlock for the short time my friend remained at the place.
The webcam may not have prevented that spunkfest, but at the very least, further spunkfests were avoided. Now that's security.
(Yes, it was a Windows box. Shut up.)
J
Re:And sometimes it does! (Score:2)
Particularly weird was the Aussie civil liberties organization's reply [nswccl.org.au], of which I was quite incredulous:
2. The publication of pictures of others without consent, even if photographed in a private home can constitute a breach of the right to privacy. Once the pictures are published or broadcast, as in the Ashfield case, they are no longer private pictures. [...] Consent should be obtained, certainly before publication and ideally before initial photographing of people. Just because you may suspect someone of a robbery as in the Ashfield scenario it shouldn't negate these principles. Two wrong's do not make a right.
Civil libertarians don't make themselves look good when they defend burglars' supposed right to steal in private! Consent should be obtained, indeed.
Available commercially now. (Score:2)
Re:Invest wisely (Score:2)
And have a gourmet shellfish dinner with it, too!
Invest wisely (Score:4)
Dancin Santa
problem solver (Score:2)
Remote View Phone is a tool that is designed to let you See there, be there, from anywhere its a remote digital surveillance camera with built -in technology that sends digital images to your pc. Call the phone number where the camera is located and within seconds you can monitor the area. It can even be set up to call you, sending images at connection. No computer is required in the area being monitored and installation is as easy as plug and play. $749.00 (U.S) @ Spy World
Need some accoustical jammers, cell phone interceptors, envelope xray'ers, heat scanners, thermal scopes, white light generators, we got all that shit too...
Got root? [antioffline.com]
Re:X10 X10 X10! (Score:2)
Raises more Questions (Re:And sometimes it does!) (Score:2)
What is it with the freakin' Yankees hats?
Are all webcams now required to render people as wearing them, in random colors, like some sort of Yahoo! Games [yahoo.com] avatar?
Are we sure these are two different guys?
Is the red-hatted one actually mugging for the camera?
And why is the blue-hatted one wearing the same sweater I'm wearing right now?
--Blair
Use Old Tricks (Score:2)
If you want to be there and immediately catch them - you are out of luck. You are one, they are many - and they have enough time to swim away. What are you going to do then? Boat races a-la agent 007?
So, I advice either: making there a room that is automatically closed and locked when entered so that only you can open it (There is a lot of such tricks in old knight films), or the guard (Including the man with at least a baton or a hungry dog fed with vandals only). I cannot advice leaving somewhere vodka with cyanide since it's extremely dangerous and highly illegal.
I don't think you are the only *fisher there. Make a treaty with your neighbours about common defense so that everybody seeing vandals informs the others and then you catch them together.
And, if you are a programmer, and you can attach your *fishery to the Internet, you can simply move your workplace to your boat.
Consider the problem (Score:2)
--
spam spam spam spam spam spam
No one expects the Spammish Repetition!
Digital Security System (Score:2)
CLARIFICATION (Score:2)