It's a jungle out there on net, but by using these few simple tricks and traps, anybody can protect themselves from virtual beasts that lurk there, waiting to attack unwary.

Online security is not just for big corporations. It's true that they stand to lose more, in terms of value, than you or I, but they have sufficient reserves to be able to weather storm, whereas average small business or man on street is in a much more precarious position.

Using your credit or debit card online is no longer as dangerous as it once was, but there are other ways in which use of your computer can be made difficult, even impossible. Viruses are just tip of iceberg. There are so many different ways in which your computer can be preyed on whilst you are online, and even after you have disconnected. Apart from worms, viruses, trojans, data miners, and keystroke loggers, there is spyware, adware and who knows what else out there. All of them trying to take advantage of you and/or your computer.

These products have many purposes. Very few of them are purely vindictive or disruptive. For example, many viruses which install themselves onto a computer do it no harm at all. Instead, they use email program running on computer to send out spam, starting with everyone in computer's address book. And although everybody I know deletes spam immediately, presumably there must be some sales, or this type of virus would be of no value to author.

It is important to be as secure as you can, because in extreme cases, your very identity can be stolen, and used in ways that will disadvantage you for a long time to come. And though this may be quite rare, there are many viruses or trojans which disrupt data you have on your computer, in some cases causing so much damage that you have to reformat disk and start again - which is fine if you have kept backups (as we have all been taught to do), but how many of us really do back our data up? We know we should do this, but when was last time you made a complete copy of all your data?

This sort of attack tends to be at amateur end of scale. But if you have children who surf net, or you correspond with someone who has kids who surf, you are at risk. The areas where they surf are some of most likely sources of this type of virus. But any of us can fall victim just by a single moment of inattention when checking through our emails.

So how can you protect yourself from all these different threats?

Aside from cleaning your screen and dusting keyboard, however, you'll need to take a few extra steps to maintain your laptop's health:

-- Play it cool

A laptop computer generates a lot of heat, especially when running latest high-powered software. Too much heat and you risk damaging internal circuitry.

Always try to keep your laptop in a well-ventilated, cool environment. And ensure you don't block fan grills on sides, back, or bottom of machine at any time.

-- Handle screen carefully

Avoid touching or playing with your LCD screen.

Yes, it might be fun to watch waves generated by your finger against screen, but LCD displays are fragile devices that must be cared for.

Take care when cleaning screen too, and use only approved cleaning materials.

You won't want to pay money for screen repairs or, even worse - a new machine entirely.

-- Don't drop it

Whatever you do, don't drop your laptop computer! Keep it safe inside of a carrying case when moving around or traveling.

Don't leave it on edge of a table or on an unstable support of some kind. One ill fated drop to floor could spell death for your mobile office.

Try to make sure rubber feet underneath are in good condition and are still attached. This will prevent device from sliding around accidentally.

-- Be careful with those drinks...

If you need to have a drink while working or playing, be careful not to spill it.