RIP-OFF ALERT: The FBI has issued a warning about e-mails purporting to be from the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI Counterterrorism Division.

The e-mails typically have subject lines like "New DHS Report," "New Patterns in Al Qaeda Financing" and "FBI Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate." In addition, these bogus correspondences usually come with an executable file as an attachment that will prompt your computer to download malware.

As a general rule, you should never willingly open attachments from unknown senders. And be sure your computer is not set to automatically open attachments in e-mails.

Meanwhile, small business is the No. 1 target for people trying to attack computers. That's because small businesses typically have large cash flows and very little IT security.

Thankfully, there is an easy solution for small business owners. Simply buy a dedicated computer that's used only for financial transactions like payroll and online banking. No surfing the web on your dedicated computer. No e-mailing. No visiting Facebook, MySpace or Twitter.

This will reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of a security breach. High net worth individuals may also want to consider using a dedicated computer for all financial transactions.

Fortunately, computers have become so affordable that it's very possible to get a fully functional one for under $300. Owning more than one computer is no longer cost-prohibitive. Think of it like an ultra inexpensive insurance policy for small business owners and wealthy individuals.