Its summer once again and a some people have a lot of time in their hands. Unfortunately, some use this time to create mischief. Viruses, hackers, and cyberstalkers pose potential threats to your PC, your personal information, and your family. But with the right equipment, and the proper precautions, you can protect your PC and everyone who uses it. Here are some do’s and don’ts to make life on the Internet safe.

One of the most common means of obtaining a virus is through infected e-mail attachments. No matter how enticing the attachment seems, don't open it unless you know exactly what it is. If the e-mail is from someone you know well, call them to confirm they actually sent the e-mail (some viruses automatically mail themselves to people in address books).

Don't download any files from strangers over Instant Messenger or any other program. You need to be sure the source of the file is reputable and legitimate before accepting it.

Unless you typically receive e-mails from your boss or neighbor with subjects such as "I Love You", you should be wary. Strange subject lines usually indicate something suspicious, such as a virus. Be aware that virus-writers like to play Internet and e-mail mind games. They use clever titles to mass market their destructive viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Beat virus writers at their own game. Delete suspicious e-mails immediately, and be sure to delete chain e-mails and junk e-mail (known as Spam) as well. Forwarding them or replying to them may keep you on a list, and you'll be bombarded with junk mail. While spam is usually nothing more than an annoyance, it can contain viruses or links to infected Web sites.

Exercise the same precautions while surfing the Web as you would exploring a new neighborhood. Just as you wouldn't normally give your name and number to strangers on the street, don't give out your personal information to strangers online. If a Web site looks suspicious, avoid it and go somewhere else. If purchasing online, take the same precautions as you would in a department store. Being online doesn't mean common sense takes a vacation. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Before you type personal information such as your address or credit card number unto a Web site, make sure the site is secure, noted by "https://" in your browser address window, or a locked key on the bottom of your browser screen. Secure sites ensure your personal information is protected while being sent through the Internet to the store, and make certain only trustworthy merchants see your information.

Protecting your computer with passwords is the simplest and most common way to ensure that only those with permission can use your computer or certain parts of your computer network. Just be sure to choose a hard-to-guess password. Many people choose easily remembered numbers or words, such as birthdays, phone numbers, or pet names, as passwords. Some people never change their passwords, or freely tell other people such as co-workers or friends what they are. But if you tell one person, they may tell someone else, and so forth. Be sure to keep your passwords secret.

The golden rules for passwords protection:

Make passwords as meaningless as possible

Change passwords regularly

Never divulge passwords to anyone

Never share files with strangers (doing so opens your computer up to potential hacker attacks).

Always remember that the Internet is a two-way street. You can access other people's computers and Web sites, and they, in turn, can access yours. Turning off your Internet connection when not actively using it can reduce your chance of having a stranger send you malicious files or folders, or prowling around on your PC in search of personal information.

If a virus destroys your files, you can replace them with back-up copies. Store backup copies in a separate location from any work files, and keep your backup files on a disk or CD separate from your computer.

Manufacturers (most notably Microsoft) create patches to fix security flaws and problems as their software and operating systems are enhanced and improved. Occasionally, the security flaws in your software may be serious enough that hackers can use your home computer as a base to attack others, or as a practice zone for larger attacks. Security flaws may also allow viruses to act faster and spread to people you know (through your address book, for example). Microsoft has a security center that lists patches that apply to Windows Operating Systems and software such as Outlook.

Hoaxes are false announcements about viruses. Virus Hoaxes occasionally include instructions for "cleaning" or deleting a virus from a computer, but the instructions may involve deleting essential Windows files and have nothing to do with viruses at all. Before you follow any instructions in an e-mail warning you of a virus, check the McAfee.com Virus Hoax page to learn whether the virus is fake or authentic.

Few people would leave their doors at home wide open, letting anyone walk in and browse through their homes. Yet people do the equivalent each day with their computers. Don't allow strangers to walk into your PC and send you unknown files and folders, or snoop through your private information. And don't send personal data to people you don't know.

You might consider a personal firewall to protect against hackers who attempt to get into your PC and retrieve sensitive information such as your credit card number, passwords, bank account information, and employment information. Don't think you're protected because you use the computer at home, on a dial-up connection. Hackers attack home PCs as practice grounds, or use home computers as a base for larger attacks.

Keeping passwords on personal documents, and keeping bank statements and other sensitive information on floppy disks or CDs can prevent your data from getting into the wrong hands.

Having the right products installed, running, and updated on your computer helps keep it safe and secure. Anti-virus software is a good idea regardless of whether or not you're online (viruses can spread through CDs and floppy disks as well). Firewall protection is recommended if you use the Internet-no matter what connection speed you have. You may consider privacy software if you have children, especially small children. These services protect your children from accessing Web sites you deem inappropriate, and prevent them from sending personal information about you over the Internet.

Follow these simple steps and have a pleasant Internet experience :-)