There are so many computer viruses and scams out there, that I hardly know whether it is safe to click here or click there. I receive at least two messages a day claiming to be from my bank but clearly are not; and many more who say that I have won the jackpot or the national lottery.

How do you know what is real and what is there just to get your details or spread a virus? It is a tough one, and you have to be careful.

Virus checkers are great but will not prevent you from being phished and you have to exercise some degree of common sense.

My own rule is never to follow any links from emails. If there is a link to my bank or shopping account I will open a new browser and go directly to the URL of the site. This way I can access my account with any danger from phishing.

However, these people are becoming cleverer each day and I am constantly on my toes to try to spot what is real or what is fake. Keep an eye on the news so that you know what scams are being used at the moment and just be on your guard at all times. The price for not being careful could be identity theft or worse.