Developer Builds PowerShell Tool That Emails Alerts and Records Webcam After Failed Logins

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A developer has created a Windows security monitoring tool built entirely in PowerShell, requiring no third-party software. The tool triggers two automated responses after three failed login attempts: an instant email alert sent to two configured addresses and a silent webcam recording via FFmpeg. It monitors Windows Security Event Log entries in real time using a rolling 30-second window to avoid duplicate triggers. Key technical hurdles included fixing a DirectShow webcam failure caused by incorrect process window settings and ensuring a global hotkey registered only after its window handle was fully initialized. The project was inspired by a years-old video showing how an unattended PC was compromised by someone who had studied the owner's login patterns.

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