The value of the goods in  our homes is increasing,  particularly with the  number of mobile phones and games consoles we have. Getting them stolen is heart-breaking, too, due to the photos and personal documents we have stored on them.

Fortunately, you’ve probably already got a perfect home security solution in the form of a webcam and an internet-connected computer. The free HomeCamera software enables you to check your webcam from afar, and includes support for motion detection. It’s still in beta, which means it’s not perfect, but for free it does the job admirably. What’s more, it’s not just for home security; you can set it up to check on a sleeping baby from downstairs, or simply to see what the parking’s like in your street.

Step-by-step: Set up HomeCamera

1 Set up your webcam
The first step towards creating a home CCTV system is to get a webcam and set it up. If you don’t already have one, they can be purchased for as little as £10 from online stores. Plug the webcam in to an available USB port, and then install any software that comes with it.

2 Visit HomeCamera.com
HomeCamera, the software we’re using here, is free and easy to use. Point your browser at www.homecamera.com, and then click Sign Up Now. On the next page, you need to enter some personal information, but don’t worry; HomeCamera won’t use it for anything other than setting up an account.

3 Register on the site
Enter your details on HomeCamera’s registration page. HomeCamera automatically sends you images from your webcam whenever movement is detected by it, and you can choose to receive these via email or text message. Make your choice, then tick the box for the licence agreement and click Next.

4 Download the software
On the next page, HomeCamera confirms your account creation. There’s no need to check your email because the account is activated immediately, but you need to download a piece of software to get your webcam to work with HomeCamera. Select Click here to download, then run the software.

5 Set up HomeCamera
If you get a security warning when you start HomeCamera, select Run. The software launches; make sure you close any other programs that may be using your webcam (such as Skype), and then click Next. Check the box to accept the licence agreement, click Next, then click I Agree on the next stage.

6 Install the software
You’re now asked which components you want to install; we recommend that you keep both boxes ticked. If you want HomeCamera to start when you turn on your PC, click Run HomeCamera when Windows starts, then click Next. Click Install, and then click Run HomeCamera Client to get started.

7 Set up your webcam
Make sure your webcam is connected to your PC, then click  the Add Camera icon. You’re asked for the email address and password you added in step 3; enter this and then click OK. HomeCamera now detects webcams attached to your PC. Don’t worry if any webcam-specific software starts at the same time.

8 Add your camera
You see a preview pane showing whatever your webcam can ‘see’. If you can’t see anything, try adjusting the Picture Quality settings until it shows up. Enter a name for this webcam, and a description if necessary, and then click OK. You can add up to four webcams by clicking the Add Camera icon.

9 Motion detection
Click the blue running man icon to set up motion detection, then select the Enable motion detection and Show motion  detection overlay check boxes. Motion is showed as blue and red areas, and it’s a good idea to play around with the Sensitivity and  Threshold sliders until it’s set up to record what you want.

10 Motion settings
Now motion detection is activated, deselect Show motion detection overlay, because an intruder’s features might be unrecognisable with it turned on. To choose whether HomeCamera sends you images or videos, change the drop-down menu next to Send motion data as.

11 Logging in
Click OK and HomeCamera will be up and running. Go to www.homecamera.com, enter your email address and password from step 3, then click Sign In. From this dashboard – accessible on any internet-connected computer – you can access your webcams and change settings.

12 Remote access
If your HomeCamera software is set up, you can take videos and photos from any location. It’s a good idea to test it via your home PC first, though. To the right of your camera’s name, you’ll see icons for single image, multiple images and video – click these to take them using your webcam.

13 The archives
Results from the webcam are displayed in the panel to the right – if they’re not, you may need to update your QuickTime (www.apple.com/quicktime) and RealPlayer (www.real.com/realplayer) software. Anything that’s recorded is kept in the archives – on the left – in case you need to access it later.

14 Auto-Record settings
You can also set up HomeCamera to record footage or take shots at specific times, such as during the day when you’re out at work, or at night when you’re asleep. Click the More drop-down to the right of the My Cameras section, then choose Auto-Record. Here you’ll be able to specify when you record, as well as which days of the week and times. This could be especially handy if you’re going away on holiday.

15 Adding buddies
Once you’re happy with your Auto-Record settings, click OK. You can also add buddies who can also access your webcam – for example, your child’s grandparents. Click the More drop-down menu and choose Share. Next, add your friend’s email address and click OK when you’re happy with the settings.

16 And you’re set
Well done – you’ve just got a complete CCTV set-up for the price of a webcam. We’ve shown you the basics of HomeCamera, but there are many more advanced features; take the time to explore and you’ll be surprised at how versatile it is. And because t’s in beta, you can expect more features to be added soon.