Internet security has become a major issue these days. The threat of viruses, spyware, adware, security holes, and many other "bugs" have made a lot of people almost afrad to do anything on the internet. People spend hundreds of dollars everyday on the latest firewall software, hardware, anti-virus and spyware programs, and other programs just so they have that peace of mind that they are safe. Yet, even though have the "latest and greatest" in technology, you are still susceptable to security problems which could very well cost you more than that $30.00 program you just bought

For those of you wondering how to secure yourself on the internet to prevent spam, viruses, spyware, and any of the other security-related threats that internet users face everyday, here is a list of the top 5 things that you can do to be safer on the internet.

1.) DON'T click on web page links in emails - By clicking on a link, you might be taken to webpage that looks identical to the one that you were expecting to go to. However, you have actually been taken to a hackers website that was made to look exactly like a legitimate site. Good examples of these sites include emails supposedly from eBay, Paypal, your bank or financial institution, college, or any other site asking for personal information. By entering your information (i.e. login username/password, SSN#, bank account number, etc.), you are freely and willingly giving your information to a hacker that will in turn steal your identity, money, etc. If you receive an email that looks like it is from eBay, Paypal, your bank, etc. DO NOT click on the link. Instead, open your internet browser, and manually type in the website address that you would use to login. This eliminates the possibility of you giving your information to someone who really shouldn't have it. How many of you clicked on a link in an email to get to this webpage? Good thing I'm not a hacker huh?

2.) DON'T open email attachments - Even if you know who is sending you the attachment, this is still a big problem. In 1999 the famous Melissa Virus was spread through emails that came from someone the person knew, but that person never actually sent the email. If you receive an attachment, contact the person that sent it and ask them if they sent you an attachment. If you work in a office, and use email to send documents back and forth, contact the sender and make sure that they actually sent the email. Viruses cause thousands of dollars worth of damage every year, but can be prevented by taking the necessary precautions.

3.) Update your computer regularly - Every second Tuesday of each month, Microsoft releases security updates to the Windows operating system. These updates are VERY important, and should NOT be skipped. If there is an immediate security problem, Microsoft will release what's called an "Out of Cycle" update. These updates are for immediate security holes that appear throughout the remaining days in between updates. For Windows, you should have your Automatic Update Settings set to download and install the updates on a regular schedule. This will ensure that your computer is constantly kept up-to-date if Microsoft should release an "Out of Cycle" update. For Mac users, your updates are just as important. Use the Software Update feature located under the Apple menu to keep your system up-to-date.

4.) Use a hardware firewall - Most users have broadband internet access available in their area. This type of connection is "always on" and usually never protected. Regardless if you only have one computer, or an entire network of computers, you need to have a hardware firewall protecting you from outside attacks. These days, any router that you purchase has a built-in firewall to prevent outside parties from accessing your internal network. By properly installing a router, and configuring the security settings, you can be assured that you are better protected. Wireless routers are ideal, and can be setup using WPA encryption to prevent unauthorized access to your wireless network. This allows you to connect a laptop, portable game system, or other game systems to your network, without having to run network cable throughout your house.

5.) Download files from a known source - Downloading files from the internet can also be potentially risky. However, don't be discouraged from downloading a trial version of popular software titles, providing the download is from a popular, well-known website. Sites such as Download.com, Tucows, and other software search engines are usually safe, due to the rigorous test that the applications go through before they are made available for download. These days, peer-to-peer sharing sites are more popular than ever. There is a risk of downloading a virus, spyware, adware, or other program when using these sites. We do not in any way condone downloading illegal software, music, or otherwise copy-protected files. However, if you choose to use these networks, be careful what files you choose to download. Use common sense when looking at the file size. If that song that you've been waiting to hear is only 197kb in size, it's definitely a virus, spyware, or other. Also make sure that you anti-virus software is fully up-to-date before opening any file that you download from anywhere.