A security monitoring system has a monitoring location and a remote location with at least one monitoring device. A first image from one of the monitoring devices is recorded, and then compared with a second image from the same monitoring device. When the amount of change between the first and second images exceeds a predetermined threshold, then a scrutiny situation signal is generated. The video recorder may be located at either the monitoring location or the remote location. In some cases, the first and second video images are sent from the remote location to the monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one portion that is provided by an online computer service. In some cases, the first and second video images are sent from the remote location to the monitoring location via a temporary communication channel that has at least one wireless portion.