Vital Rules for Internet Safety
The main threats that you find on the internet are Viruses, Trojans, Worms, as well as Spyware, and Adware.  But, there are all kinds of free help to make your experience on the internet safer and easier.  

#1:     NEVER, EVER go on the internet without an anti-virus program installed and updated and set to do automatic regular scans at least weekly.

#2:    NEVER, EVER open mail from places you don't know, and some that you do.  Make sure that your anti-virus program scans all email before you can open it.

#3:    AVOID high risk places on the net.  These are normally places you would not want your children to see.

#4:    AVOID instant messenger programs (Windows messenger, AOL messenger, Yahoo messenger, etc).  They are full of security holes.  Email rather than IM.  If you must use them, they are not as bad as they used to be, but turn them off when not in use.

#5:    RUN your Anti-spyware programs every week or so, at least.  Those annoying programs can really bog your computer down after a while.  Most of them log EVERYWHERE YOU GO, and EVERYTHING YOU DO and send that data you God-Knows-Who.