Connect Your Wireless Security System to the Internet

Do you use a wireless security system to keep your home or business safe? If you do, there are a variety of reasons to want to connect your wireless security system to the internet. If you want to be able to observe your home remotely, or allow others to do so, the internet is the perfect tool for the job. By connecting your wireless security system to the internet, you can have access to your security system whenever you want, as long as you have access to a computer.

Step 1 - The Receiver

Wireless security systems will vary from model to model, but all will have a camera and a receiver. Since your wireless security system is already set up, connecting those is already done. All that remains to do is to connect your receiver to your computer. This set of instructions assumes you have a more modern model, with a receiver that has a USB or firewire port designed for this very purpose. Use the connection that you have available, and install any drivers if your are prompted to. If you are not, you may have to do an internet search for your model of security system in order to find the correct drivers.

If you have an older model, it may still be possible to connect your camera to the internet, but it will require additional attachments to do this step.

Step 2 - Configuring

You will also need to configure the computer to function as a server. First, go to the control panel, select power options, and make sure your system is set to never sleep or turn off on its own. 

Step 3 - Software

For this step, you will need the proper software. Do an internet search for "free streaming application" or something to that effect — you may be willing to pay, or purchase software at a store, but this way is quickest — and select an option to download, after doing a little bit of research to make sure it is not spyware.

Step 4 - Connecting

Once you have done this, install the software and read its instructions. Individual programs will vary, but generally you will need to configure your computer to have a static IP, function as a server, and share a file that leads to your camera.

To set a static IP, go to "control panel," then "network connections," and right click on the network you use. Write down the IP address listed, then go back to the main control panel section. Open up "internet protocol." Tell your computer to use the following IP address: your current IP address that you wrote down, with 1 added to the final number. If this gives you an error, keep adding 1.

You may also need to set your firewall to allow this application to work.

Now you can put the file that connects to your webcam in the public folder so others can access it. Putting a password on it is a good idea.

If dedicating a computer to your wireless security system is too much for you, and you find a more temporary, improvised solution acceptable, you can do the following instead. There are many web sites that allow you to stream video. This usually involves fewer steps — sometimes you will need nothing but a web browser. The down side is a decreased amount of security and flexibility, although you still may be able to password protect your camera.