Privacy

Use Your Old Android as a Security Camera

You already know how to take a nice photo. But now it’s time to take a different sort of picture. There aren’t lots of options for what to do with your old Android phone. You could transform it into a potted plant. Give it to a kid as a toy. And…what else? You certainly don’t have many choices.

But luckily there is a use for your old Android that both makes sense and works effectively. The answer? Turn it into a wireless surveillance camera. Intrigued? Read on to learn how to do it.

Turning Your Android Into an IP Webcam

Download the IP Webcam app from the Google Play Store.
In your unused phone, download the IP Webcam app. This means, of course, that you’ll have to keep your unused phone connected to Wi-Fi.
Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on the “Start a Server” button.
Below the screen, you’ll see your IP address. Your IP address will be written in this format: XXX.XXX.X.XX:XXXX.
Copy down your IP address. Copy the address into a browser window on your computer. This will bring up IP Webcam Control on your computer.
Click the “Flash” button to add video and audio.

What You Can do After You’ve Transformed Your Device into a Security Camera
After you’ve changed your device into a security camera, you can use it in many different ways. First, you can set up the phone in a place that lets you stream live audio and video from your phone to wherever you are. This can help you catch a thieving babysitter or watch your kids’ milestones. Additionally, you can record live audio and video on your camera so you can watch footage later on.

As long as you have a device with a browser option, you always will have control over your unused phone’s camera. From there, you can control where the camera is pointing so you can see around wherever you’ve put the camera. Further, you can change your password from your browser if you feel your IP Webcam app password has been compromised.

Even though your security camera isn’t your main device, it still likely has your information somewhere on it. That’s why it’s so important to continue protecting your phone with PSafe Total. PSafe’s Anti-virus feature scans your phone’s files and SD cards 24-hours a day so your phone is always safe from intruders.

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The dfndr blog is an informative channel that presents exclusive content on security and privacy in the mobile and business world, with tips to keep users protected. Populated by a select group of expert reporters, the channel has a partnership with dfndr lab's security team. Together they bring you, first-notice news about attacks, scams, internet vulnerabilities, malware and everything affecting cybersecurity.