Brazil Dangerous?

[Ambs]

Hi,

I'm preparing to go down to Brazil in August and I've been reading about safety in Rio and Sao. I read in a few websites that I should just "accept the fact that I'll probably get robbed" and basically that it will most likely happen. This scares the sh%^ out of me. I consider myself well traveled, gone to SEA, Europe, Panama, Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay and never got pickpocketed or robbed but what I've been reading does not comfort me at all.

So should I just plan to dress like a bum and not carry anything on me at all except for a money belt with a few bucks? Or is this just overrated and should be careful but not get paranoid over this?

I'm not an idiot, I exercise common sense, never walk alone late at night in deserted streets nor ever carry lots of money on me and never flash anything expensive when I travel but from what I've been reading, this doesn't seem enough. Is this true? I want to be able to go check out some tourist attractions without worrying about getting robbed like I've always had.

What's the real deal? Will common sense do in Brazil or am I doomed regardless?

Ambs