Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric, once quipped that he was afraid of the Internet because he couldn’t type.

While that may be a silly reason to be afraid, a healthy dose of fear when jumping on the World Wide Web is anything but silly. After all, the Internet can be a dangerous place.

A study by the National Security Alliance (NCSA) has uncovered some alarming statistics.

The study shows that less than half of the U.S. population (46 percent) reports that they feel safe from viruses, malware and hackers, while roughly half (48 percent) of parents are not completely confident that their kids can use the Internet safely.

That’s why June has been designated as National Internet Safety Month, and the NCSA is encouraging Internet users to follow three simple steps when connecting to the Web.

1. STOP: Before using the Internet, take time to understand the risks and learn how to spot potential problems.

2. THINK: Take a moment to be certain the path ahead is clear. Watch for warning signs and consider how your actions online could impact your safety, your kids’ safety or that of your family.

3. CONNECT: Enjoy the Internet with greater confidence, knowing you’ve taken the right steps to safeguard yourself, your family and your computer.

“Everyone – youth and adults alike – can benefit from learning better Internet safety practices and should become more aware of potential threats,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director of the National Cyber Security Alliance. “This is why integrating these three simple steps — STOP. THINK. CONNECT.  — into your online experience is critical to staying safer and more secure.”

For more information about this campaign and many other effective online safety tips, please visit www.stopthinkconnect.org.