Never give away too much information about yourself.

Also beware of chatting with people who you don't know personally over internet. I had a friend who used to chat with someone she had met online and that guy had hacked her computer. So being on internet exposes you to various threats so it's better to be wise while online and not fall into traps.

Like it or not, Facebook has become the most popular social network around the globe. I don't know much about Orkut. Twitter is also considered a big one. What I don't like about Facebook is my real name showing like that. Unlike Twitter where I can use any username I want, everyone can see my real name. This could be one of the reasons why Facebook has become a target of privacy issues. Everyone can just do a search using first and last name easily.

Hi. DoctorDidi. I will agree, this is very true. When a person is on Facebook, they should never give out too much of personal information. I don't give out too much because I just don't know whom can get my information and use it against me. It is sad that we have identity thieves that are just out there trying to use our own information on us in a bad way.

That is what I am trying to avoid, putting too much information in the net. I really do not feel right. It is fine for me to put my name there, but I never ever put my location, except for the country though. I don't trust most of the social networking sites nowadays. It's really scary sometimes. Especially in Facebook and Twitter.

thanks for that reminder. i should be more careful by now. changing personal information with privacy settings would also be helpful.

thanks for the information... =)

Hi there, I could not agree more. Giving too much information about yourself is a big no no particularly to social networking websites like Friendster, Myspace and Facebook. Identity theft is very rampant on the world wide web. my friend's facebook has been hacked few months ago... she can no longer open her account and check her friends out... Please make sure to keep your personal information private especially your credit card number, home address, telephone number and other vital information...

Yes, you are right, DoctorDidi. Thanks for creating this discussion here to awake-up newbies about this matter. We should never gives too much information to any online site, since it will bring more harm to us in future. I never trust any site that says they will never share our personal information with anyone. It is always better to think safety first before we are to give any personal information to any site. It is no use to feel sad and sorry later on.

I totally agree with you here on this one. So many people can say just one thing and someone can get all your information. I never understand why some people on facebook will post something like oh, I'm going to work at this time and I'll be home at this time, or oh I am going to this place. Really now in this day and age you have to be careful with what you post. Now hackers and thieves can figure out where you live and now that they have your information and when you'll be going to work and when you will be coming home, it gives them the perfect opportunity to come in your home and steal your items. Honestly now, I no longer post everything that I do on facebook, I hardly ever go on facebook any more. And when I do, it is to check my messages and even see what my friends and family are up to. That's about it. Some people ask me why I never post so much on facebook any more, and I'm like well, I don't want people knowing everything that I do and when I'll be home and not home. I don't want that information to get into the wrong hands. So I post very little now. But I hope that people will see your advice and listen to it. So they will not be prone to identity theft or thieves coming in your home. People should be really careful and another bit of advice to others, don't ever give out your password, that will also can help those who are looking to steal.

Yes, you are right we must not be give every information to any one. We should be care full in sharing our contact information on line.

You're right. Thanks for the reminder. My Facebook info page is empty. I don't upload photos. All my photos were just tagged by friends. I'm not fond of placing status updates on my wall as well. I just don't want everyone to be updated about all my activities or where I am at anytime . I just use Facebook to check out friends and family from time to time.

As much as possible I don't share information about myself to avoid any regrets in the future. I am a very private person and only share info about myself to friends and other people if there's really a need to. It is not being selfish but only careful and tactful.

I agree with you and I think nobody else would disagree with you on this point. Especially if you are in the US, just giving out little bits of information would be catastrophic. Anybody can be a conman and steal everything from you. Prevention is way better than cure.

So true!! That is why I put really less informations about me and also add down some false informations with them.

When I was a user of AOL one of my usernames was hacked into repeatedly and used for all sorts of things. And for a long time. It was amazing how much they derived from conversations, and info on the profile. These types know what to ask and can get alot from very little. Be careful!

I have heard this before and I try to be careful! Most of ther people I know on facebook are but there are tons of people who aren't! I used to post something everyday. Now I don't! I not one of these people who tells everyone everything! I am also not one of this carzy people who post things on Facebook they shouldn't like crimes!

Yeah you are right, WE must always be careful with whom we are chatting, adding them to our friends list, a small bit of our information can bring the give lot of help to terrorists and other bad people who misuse public profile for their own use and the it all comes on a common man to suffer. Also we should be aware of the phishing attacks coming in mail to ask passwords or any internet baking asking password for such checking transaction they never do it unless and until certain formalities are fulfilled. We should also bring to our notice that no matter how trusted friend you have never share your password with anyone. Cause for anyone to take revenge they can go to any extent

Yes, I don't give that much information in social networking sites too. I don't even use my real name in it- I just tell my friends what name I am using so they can add me. I have heard some people in hte news getting in trouble becasue they always tweet or update their account telling whatever they are up to at the moment.

I have learned this lesson and just now I have answered a discussion of one of my friends and this is exactly what I advised her. Please this information must get to all the people. The admin must also regulated the members and catch those scam bugs in the good site like mylot.

Right you are. I just put in the basic info. Nothing more. I never elaborate on anything personal. Keep it generic. Also another good tip I would say would be to stay active on the social sites you use. It seems that most of the hacked sites are sites that have been idle for awhile. Also, if you are active, you will notice anything strange. One more thing. When ever you get an email from FaceBook or another social site saying that you need to update your account and profile, do not do it. Do not open the mail. Delete.