The thrill and excitement of Internet Share Trading can be blown away unless you have the inside information. Get the Low Down on the best way to protect you money. Yes, know what you are getting into before you start.

The world of stock trading has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. Trades that use to take more than a week to process now take only moments. While once you needed to have a stock broker to make a trade for you, now, from the comfort of your own computer, you can make as many trades as you like, and at a much lower commission than your grandfather would have paid to make the same trade 50 years earlier. The world of online trading can be very tempting to many. Investing is a lot like gambling, with possible huge profits and even bigger losses possible. But how do you know if online investing is for you? 

1. The first question you need to answer is do you have money to burn? Of course, none of us want to toss our money down the drain, but you have to be prepared for the worst. Most online investors are armed with a copy of the New York Times, online subscriptions to several investment websites as well as strong word of mouth from family and friends, but even with all this information, some investments don't go the way you want them to. Make sure you have room in your budget so that you can afford to lose some and still be secure. Online investing can be addictive, so you should know when to stop. 
   
   
2. Be prepared to arm yourself with as much information as possible. While it's true that even the most informed traders make mistakes, the more you know, the less likely this will happen. This means immersing yourself in reliable, timely and knowledgeable advice. If you're not willing to take the time to properly educate yourself, you might want to leave investing to your broker. 
   
   
3. A good investor has to learn to be patient. While it is tempting to take on the human herding instinct and put your money on the latest trend or the most fashionable stock, those investors that are confident and patient usually come out on top.