There's been plenty of news recently about hackers breaking into websites and doing things like stealing private information, posting obsence material and worse. It got one of our viewers thinking, "Is this a problem that a home computer user should worry about?"

While cyberterrorists are unlikely to target an average New Yorker's PC (not worth the time or effort), there is still plenty you should be worried about. The threat is from punks out to test computer connections, look inside hard drives and do what they think is harmless fun. But if your tax returns end up on an Internet bulletin board, you are unlikely to think it's harmless or fun.

Broadband users (those with DSL or cable modem) are more prone to attacks than those dialing up to the Internet. Imagine your computer is a quiet, tranquil castle surrounded by a moat. Beyond the moat are the bad guys, circling and trying to get into the castle by waiting for you to put out a bridge across the moat. If you use a dial-up connection that bridge is put out in a different place each time, and the bad guys can't guess where that bridge is. By the time they find it, you have logged off. If you use broadband on the other hand, you have a permanent bridge, with a glowing neon sign saying, "Hi, bad guys, enter here!" If you install a firewall, you should be all right.

So here are some steps you can take:

INSTALL A FIREWALL: If you are using a broadband connection (ie, DSL or cable modem), then you must download a firewall to keep outsiders at bay. If you use a PC, you can ge a free one at ZoneAlarm.com (you can also get the free version here). If you use a Mac, you get one at Symantec.com.

INSTALL ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE: Yes, it costs money, usually $30 or so - worth every penny. Most important thing is to keep it updated!

NO FILE-SHARING SERVICES: Don't install so-called file sharing services like Kazaa and others (which are cool because you get free music and programs), but you are also opening your computer up to the entire world. You can also end up with spyware (programs that spy on you) on your computer.

If you have a wireless Internet setup in your home, then be sure to read and follow the tips here at MIS magazine on "Warding off that wireless interloper."

Good luck and stay safe.

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