The Internet has become a major scene for sharing all sorts of media files. These files may have been compressed using different codecs, some free and some commercial. What is a codec? A codec, in this case, is used to decode compressed data streams in order to make them viewable and audible in a proper player. Watching an AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) video and audio file with compressed data, or other compressed movie formats, may require a proper codec. The amount of codecs out there amounts to a level that makes it hard for common users to find and install the correct one required to play an eagerly awaited sequence of images. The situation gets even more complicated considering that unscrupulous individuals want to transform the common codec-eagerness into cash in, one way or another, by offering fake codecs. Read more below about false codec lures, codecs in general and possible ways to avoid getting scammed-

In the U.S., the upcoming presidential election in November is not just a political hot topic - it has also found its way into the security arena.

Months ago, security experts began predicting that online scammers would take advantage of the media hype surrounding the presidential candidates to prey on computer users. We're already seeing the online risks being noted and reported in a number of ways, including:

• Phony voter-registration drives aimed at ID theft

A word of caution as you browse the Web: even reputable sites are not immune to being compromised in order to be used as a means to infect visitors with malicious content.

This past week, the news magazine, BusinessWeek, became the latest trusted site to fall victim to SQL injection attacks, according to reports.

Many have debated the security pros and cons of today's most popular Web browsers - Internet Explorer and Firefox. Now there's a new browser in town: Chrome.

Even though it's only one week old, you've probably heard the buzz about Googles new browser. Security, of course, is at the forefront of most discussions.

What bad online behavior should you be on the lookout for this week? Take note as you surf the Web in the coming days: cyber scammers are taking advantage of Hurricane Gustav - a storm that caused havoc in the U.S. and Caribbean - in order to prey on well-meaning consumers.