Computer internet security is rarely on our minds as we cruise the Internet during our day. We jump from email to our social networking sites to look ups for everything from recipes to movies to watch. But how safe is it all?

When we sign up for email notifications from stores and online shops, how secure is our computer? Recently when I unsubscribed from a major retail store's online email advertising notifications, these were the options (paraphrased, of course) for why I wanted to unsubscribe:

• Your advertisements are no longer relevant to me.
• Your advertisements are no longer relevant because I don't do that job any longer.
• You send too many emails.
• Your emails are so relevant that I feel like you're watching me.
  

Use a reputable web security application. A good free one is AVG Ant-Virus, and it's free. Ask an IT professional for their opinion of how to keep you and your data and computer safe.

To stay safe and keep your computer internet security in line, be cautious in your online activity. Be smart in your habits.

• Only list your month and day of birth (not the year) or no date at all on your Facebook or MySpace profile.
• Check the bottom right corner for the security lock symbol before providing any personal information on a website.
• Don't download every attachment someone forwards to you in an email. In fact, ask friends and family to stop ending forwards all together unless you really do like all those jokes and hoaxes and warnings that seem to cycle through the system like the time change twice a year (or more).