Vag Com Ugly Cable

[TooManyAudis at aol.com]

I just got a vag com ugly cable -- 2 x 2 Ethernet cable with red, black,  
yellow and blue shrink wrap to designate the pin-out connectors.
 
The price was right -- $8 or so off ebay -- and I would like to use it to  
connect to vag com and check engine codes and turn off the airbag light if  
possible.
 
I am just hesitant to connect directly to my computer seeing that the red  
will be connected to what I believe is +12v.
 
Does anyone use this device?  Is my paranoia real or unfounded?
 
Thanks,
 
 
Tom