1. Personal information should be kept personal from potential dating matches, at least at first.

Everyone's said it, everyone's heard it, but we'll say it again - don't give out personal information lightly. You might end up meeting the man of your dreams. You might end up on the 6:00 news as the latest victim of a deranged stalker.

2. Your online dating membership’s automatic renewal is a great way to inadvertently lose 20 bucks.

Many services renew automatically. Just because you email and unsubscribe to the email updates doesn't mean that you have cancelled your profile and account. Your photo could be floating in cyberspace indefinitely, and the monthly charge could be showing up every month on your credit card like clockwork. CANCEL THE MEMBERSHIP and GET A CONFIRMATION when you are no longer interested. $19.95 doesn't sound like much, but it's an unpleasant surprise to realize you spent $239.40 plus interest for a service you didn't know you still had at the end of a year's time.

3. Dishonesty will get you nowhere in your dating quest.

If you lie in your profile, it will catch up with you. Hey, if you're just there to play head games, you may not care, but if you really are hoping for a serious relationship, you're doomed from the start if you describe yourself as 5'4" and 125 pounds and you're really 5'3' and 170 pounds. Honey, dream all you want, but you won't lose the weight during the weeks you're exchanging emails with your dream date. Guys, the same goes for you - women can spend one evening with you and sense you're lying about that six-figure income, so spare us the wasted evening and tell the truth up front. Believe it or not, most of us are more interested in reliability than your stock options.

4. Online dating relies heavily on mental first impressions.

Never forget that the person on the other end of the instant message, email or chat is a potential friend, companion or date - not your counselor, shrink or bartender. Don't whine about your ex, complain about how men are only looking for one thing, women are all black widows or every relationship you've ever been in has been twisted. It will start a stampede - away from you.

5. Online daters have feelings, too!

Never forget that the person on the other end is someone's daughter, son, brother or sister. Most people who enter the online dating world are seriously looking for that special someone – don’t scare them off with bad behavior just because you’re not interested. Treat that person like you would want your own family member to be treated!