Over 4 million people are logging onto the Internet to research stocks, check quotes, and make investments, and the number is growing daily. It's hard to believe that only three years ago the average person hadn't even heard about online investing. And a little over a year ago people in the bricks-and-mortar financial industry didn't believe that online brokerages could compete. Now the likes of Merrill Lynch, Prudential Securities, and Morgan Stanley are rushing to create their own online brokerage sites. In The Unofficial Guide to Online Investing, new and experienced investors learn to: Choose which computer, Internet Service Provider, and investment software is best for online investing Find the web sites every online investor must know Pick an online broker and set up an account Monitor investments on- and off-site Evaluate online investment clubs, bulletin boards, discussion forums and news groups, mailing lists, and magazines Avoid the scams and pitfalls of online investing -- what happens if the online brokers site crashes?