Any software to make a web cam a security cam, on a timer and hidden?

But does the Logitech program stay hidden? Everything I've seen has a window that opens or an icon in the taskbar showing that it is running.

As for the legality, I've warned him. He said it's his shop, his employee, and it's in a public part of the shop so he doesn't care. No audio. So, I've done my part. I doubt it will matter much - if he catches the guy, he'll fire him and before too long the security cameras will be in and everyone will know about it.

That looks perfect. Thanks!

Can you run the Logitch software as a service?

Well, that didn't work. I just get an error saying there's no Logitech web camera. Which is true, it's not that brand.

I'll check them out, thanks

The ones that don't 'hide' have tray icons to show they are running. They show in all user accounts.

Also, and more importantly, he is trying to do this without being noticed. If he suddenly adds a new account with password protection the guy may realize something is up.

Free trial or did you have to buy it?

The web site freaked out my Norton IS.

Norton Safe Web has analyzed digi-watcher.com for safety and security problems. Below is a sample of the threats that were found.

Threat Report
Total threats found: 3

Spyware (what's this?)
Threats found: 3
Here is a complete list: (for more information about a specific threat, click on the Threat Name below)
Threat Name: Spyware.Watcher
Location: http://www.digi-watcher.com/WatcherSetup233.exe

Threat Name: Spyware.Watcher
File name: c:\nismanager\data\1cfd6f6f-e55b-4fc6-acf8-222ded91654a_1531152925\zipdir1\remoteview_setup.exe
Location: http://www.digi-watcher.com/RemoteView_Setup.zip

Threat Name: Spyware.Watcher
File name: c:\nismanager\data\3ab2f87d-4cfa-4e4a-8cb8-e5b303d99538_1917069997\zipdir1\watcher_setup.exe

minidrag said:   
The catch - the software needs to be hidden because he wants to catch the guy not scare him off.

Does the camera have an LED or some indication that it's collecting video? If not, your customer is attempting something highly unethical - and quite possibly illegal as well. The employee may or may not be stealing, but for your customer to intrude using surreptitious surveillance is a gross injustice either way. When no one is around and the guy *thinks* he has privacy, he could do legal and innocuous but embarrassing things (scratch his balls, surf porn). And if he is caught stealing, this is evidence for just that incident, not past theft. Your customer is a prick and I hope he gets sued for this.

It's foolish from a business standpoint as well, because nothing beats a deterrent. Allowing the theft to happen means the assets have to be legally recovered.

The employee has a right to know he's being surveilled.

As I said before he is having security cameras installed. The signs are already up so there is no legal issue here.

As for the employee wanting privacy... that's a joke, right? It's a store, not his house. And porn? Why would you think it's ok for him to be surfing porn on a company PC on company time?

Signs have been posted about video cameras and they have been told they are being installed. No time was mentioned, but they were told.

And yes, the employer has a policy about computer use. Business use only. Period. No exceptions. It's a cash register and it is out where customers can see it. No way he'd want any chance of something odd popping up unexpectedly.

Breaks have nothing to do with this. It's out in the main area of the place, in plain view of everyone when they are open.

You seem to be trying to pick this apart for some reason. The guy in question shouldn't be doing anything private or 'unseemly' or anything that he doesn't want to be seen while he is in the middle of the store. Simple as that. Not sure why you have such a problem with that, but whatever. It's already done and within a few days the boss will probably have his answer.

The full security system is going in on Thursday, but again, for all the employees know, it's already there.

minidrag said:   
Breaks have nothing to do with this. It's out in the main area of the place, in plain view of everyone when they are open.

Of course break time is relevant. Does the camera turn off when the guy takes a break? Of course not. If the employee unwittingly takes a break in front of the hidden camera, his break is being surveilled.

bonghead said:   minidrag said:   
Breaks have nothing to do with this. It's out in the main area of the place, in plain view of everyone when they are open.

Of course break time is relevant. Does the camera turn off when the guy takes a break? Of course not. If the employee unwittingly takes a break in front of the hidden camera, his break is being surveilled.

We could go in circles on this one, but I'll try one more time... In the open, in the middle of the store, he shouldn't be doing anything that he doesn't want seen, break time or not. Any employee needs to behave while out where customers can see them.

This camera, of course, is only on for a few minutes, before the store even opens - well before any break time comes around anyway.

It might be good for the employer to consult an attorney to make sure what he can and cannot do in their particular state.

However, from what I've found online, this specific video surveillance seems to be within the legal boundaries.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6022790_video-surveillance-laws-workpla...
Most courts have found that no such expectation [of privacy] exists with video surveillance, whether visible or hidden, if the space being monitored is public and open. The courts have been more divided in cases where cameras were hidden in areas, such as rest rooms and dressing rooms.

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/privacy-workplace-faq-291...
You must have a reasonable basis for monitoring in this manner (to discourage theft from a cash register and enhance the security of customers, for example) and inform your employees of the cameras. Certain areas of the workplace (the bathroom or changing areas, for example) are generally off-limits to this type of monitoring.

However, I'm not sure if even providing notice is legally required.

http://www.mysecuritysign.com/MSS/Posting-Video-Surveillance-Sig...
As of 2008, there is no legislation in the United States requiring organizations to publicly make known any video surveillance activity. In thirteen U.S. states, there are laws prohibiting electronic surveillance in certain places where a high level of privacy should be expected, such as a locker room, restroom, or motel room. Ten of these thirteen states prohibit someone from trespassing on private property as a way to then conduct surveillance of people there. But aside from this, no video surveillance regulations have been introduced. Therefore, as of right now, you are not legally required to purchase signs notifying visitors of electronic surveillance in use – yet, in practice video surveillance and CCTV notification signs are increasingly common.

One reason for the widespread use of notification signs is for the same reason people put up notices of anti-intrusion devices: as a deterrent. A car thief can't complain about a car alarm went off on a car he was stealing because he wasn't told it was there, but people typically put a car alarm sticker on so that the thief doesn't try to steal it in the first place. The same may be true of video surveillance.

Additional links:
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/cameras-video-surveillanc...
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/workplace-cameras-surveil...
http://workrights.us/?products=electronic-monitoring-in-the-work...