Connect to the internet, then connect the webcam to the rig, see if it is detected by the OS and let it update drivers and software straight from the internet.
Then you can try opening any messenger that uses a webcam, eg- Yahoo or Skype and see if it works.
To use the webcam independently you can download a variety of software available from the manufacturer or third party ones and use the webcam as a camera for pics, video cam or surveillance cam depending on the software.