For years now, you’ve been seeing warnings about opening suspicious looking emails and making sure to scan any attachments that come into your mailbox. Also, you’ve been warned that spyware can install itself onto your computer simply by downloading free software from “un-trusted” sites – and even, in some cases, the ones we do trust.

It also appears that most internet provider companies and email programs have virus scanners either offered with the service, or built right into the application. Take Google’s Gmail for instance. It is a very robust web-based email application that currently allows you to store over two gigabytes of email and attachments on their servers. The best part of the service is the price – absolutely free! Along with the free price comes a built in virus scanner. All I have to do is click to download the attachment or view the image and it will scan for any threats automatically.

With the slew of information and education regarding computer viruses and other internet threats available to all of us, it would seem that most of us have taken the necessary precautions to ensure that we’re safe guarded against these electronic threats – at least in some way, shape, or form. In addition, Microsoft’s newest version of Windows, Vista, promises to be chuck full of anti-threat software – built right in. Along with built in software, the new operating system is said to be built from the ground up – meaning it would be more difficult for a computer hacker to write malicious programs that run on that system. If you’re not using a machine that runs Windows or Vista, you may be using Mac OS or a version of Linux. Regardless of the operating system you currently use, there are viruses, spyware, and worms that are designed specifically for your system.

A new trend in the delivery methods of internet threats, viruses, and other infections happens to be video. Recently, there was a worm being distributed through Myspace, a popular community building site. People would watch the video and the malicious code would be transmitted to their machine from that source. The popularity of video related sites has become astronomically large over the past year. Just look at the traffic flooding YouTube.com for example. These sites basically allow users to upload home-made video to their site for all to see – live and uncut!

The moral of the story is, don’t be fooled into thinking that you’re safe when it comes to computer internet threats! They are as much on the rise now as they ever were – and taking new forms and methods of delivery. Take into serious consideration purchasing a comprehensive computer protection suite like StopSign that includes a firewall, and learn how to use it. Make sure it’s up-to-date, and keep your eye out for anything fishy – including any video sent to you in your email inbox. Protection starts with you.