Make sure you have anti-virus software on your desktop. A good antivirus program can trap most — but certainly not all — viruses that can threaten any personal data you enter on the machine or keep stored your personal finance software. Good anti-virus software will alert you directly on your monitor when there's an update.

Strangle spyware. Spyware is software that secretly gathers your personal information through your Internet connection without your knowledge. Mostly, it's for advertising purposes, but as the Web grows, there's no way to know who else will get their hands on it. Your anti-virus software provider will probably link an anti-spyware program with its application, but make sure you have it.

Check your security settings. The major operating systems have built-in firewall software to keep hackers out and your data safe, but you may have to tweak it to make sure it's at the desired level of power you need. (Security firewalls can block out just about anything, so turning the dial on “high” might make you more secure, but it can cause inconveniences as well.) If this isn't your forte, bring in a trusted computer professional to teach you how to adjust these settings on your own.

Keep all money stuff off your laptop. Many computer experts believe that wireless Internet hookups contain a separate and more serious set of dangers than landline or cable connections. Obviously security software will evolve for wireless applications in the future, but if the person sitting next to you at Starbucks is hacking into your Quicken files, think how much fun he'll have with your credit data and Social Security number you're punching into an online mortgage application.

If an e-mail looks suspicious, kill it. Make sure your computer is never set to automatically open any attachment that comes in by e-mail. Better yet, if you don't recognize the return address or the subject line, just delete the e-mail.

Keep your hands off the pop-ups. Hackers actually use the “close” button on a pop-up ad as the on switch to install viruses and other damaging hardware. To get rid of a pop-up, do it the safe way. Talk to your computer's manufacturer to find out if there's a keyboard combination on your particular machine to eliminate any or all pop-ups from your screen.