There are a few options to consider if you’re concerned about what’s going on in your home while no one is there. First, you can spend a lot of money for a complete home security system that will:

• Let you know if something is amiss.
• Give you and the local police department a heads up if someone breaks in.
• Help conserve energy by remotely controlling lighting and temperature.

Or, you can save some serious cash by putting an old smartphone to good use, often accomplishing many of the same goals. Free or low-cost apps are now available that will help you create an inexpensive security system, using your phone or tablet as a wireless security camera that lets you keep an eye on your kids, pets, baby sitters or elderly relatives while you’re at work — or anywhere else for that matter.

Your Presence is Appreciated

Presence, a free app released in April by California-based People Power, is an intriguing alternative to paying a security company to monitor what happens at your house. Two devices are required — an iPhone and either an iPad, an iPod Touch or another iPhone — and you’ll have to load the app onto both. You’ll be able to activate the camera on the device at home with the smartphone in your hand, and you can set up the system to alert you whenever motion is detected. Even better, the number of false alarms that bring police offers racing to your home for no reason at all will decrease since you’ll get a video clip of what triggered the alert in the first place. Then you can decide whether a visit from the police department is necessary.

Other Options

Several other apps have been developed that help keep your home safe and secure.

• iSentry, a free app made for the iPhone, uses your computer’s camera to take a photo or video when motion is detected.
• Security Camera takes a picture when someone wakes up your Mac computer and sends the photo to a Dropbox account. It might keep co-workers, roommates or children from using the computer without permission, and, if your laptop is stolen, you’ll have a picture of the thief.
• iCam gives you the power to monitor several video cameras from your iPhone, iPad or iPod, and you can watch live video of what’s going on at home when the motion sensor is triggered.
• SecureHome utilizes the built-in microphone on your computer, sounding an alarm and sending an email to your iPhone if it hears something unusual.
• Dropcam, available for the iPhone and Android, is a bit pricey, but it gives you the option to zoom in on an image and carry on a conversation with your kids or whoever else is in the house.
• AirBeam turns your iPhone, iPod or iPad into a remote surveillance camera that can be used to keep an eye on children or pets.
• Izon is a useful app if you want to build your own surveillance system. It sends real-time audio and video to your Android or iPhone.

Peace of Mind

Making sure your home is secure and your children, pets and relatives are safe is important, of course, but so is being certain that the information you have stored on your smartphone is secure. Here are some apps that will help ease your mind if you lose your smartphone or if you are concerned about those who would do you harm hacking into your WiFi network.

• Lookout, which is compatible with an iPhone or Android, offers around-the-clock protection, as well as the option to back up information automatically and restore the information to your smartphone. And if you lose your phone, you’ll be able to locate it on a Google map.
• Snap Secure, which comes with anti-virus and anti-spyware protection, backs up data and allows you to access it or transfer it to a different phone. It also allows you to block calls from unknown numbers. Its Personal Guardian feature is a panic button that sends an email, SMS message or tweet, along with your location, in case of an emergency.
• BullGuard lets you lock and remotely wipe the data from your smartphone, a handy option if the phone gets lost. It includes anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a parental control module.
• iHound uses a phone’s GPS to find the phone if you lose it, and, if you have an Android, you’ll be able to remotely lock it and erase the data you have stored on the phone.
• McAfee WaveSecure offers remote wiping and locking and lets you backup and restore data, including photos and videos. The app is available for a variety of phones, including the iPhone and Android.

Security is vital, whether you’re talking about your home or your smartphone. Both need to be protected, and, fortunately, there are plenty of options and price points available.

Jay Harris is a Home Depot “on the floor” sales associate and a regular writer on Home Depot’s website. His interests range from providing security camera tips for the home to advice on home security systems.