These days, when one talk about computers and internet, most never fail to mention not only about email messaging through Yahoo but as well as the different social networking sites such as Friendster, Facebook, Twitter and many others, which became popular not only to computer savvies but to almost everybody who spends time sitting down in front of computer. With the aid of these networking sites, people from all around the globe had an easier way of connecting and keeping in touch with their loved ones, families, and friends. It also serves as a portal to meeting new people and exchanging information about each other.

Members of these sites create their own profile and also have the freedom of personalizing the design of their web pages and creating multiple accounts – all belonging to the same person. Some members even hide their real identity by using aliases and posting of photos or images of other people. With these websites, a person has the capability of sharing not only some of their personal details, hobbies, interests but also anything else they want to post including the different events and happenings in one’s life through posting of different pictures, videos and posting of comments. One can also add a friend’s friends and even invite other non-members into joining the community by sending invitations to their respective email addresses. Aside from being a part of a big network, each member may also organize their own group or clan with the same interests, lifestyle, or it can also be a fans’ club, or an organization which supports a person or a certain movement or activity. This feature is similar to the high school practices of organizing clubs such as the Math or Science club and to the college’s fraternities and sororities. Some people had not only exchanged conversations online but some even continued their connection in person. No wonder, a lot of people often resort to these sites to find friends, romance or just somebody to hang up with. To some, these sites do them a lot of favor especially when one wants to reach out to others to open up but are having some issues with their confidence in facing other people and in having conversations with others.

Some social sites are intended for specific groups of people like those who are into online gaming and sharing game cheats and tactics to their fellow gamers. Students and people pursuing careers in the field of computer technology and electronics also created their own networking sites and sharing some programming codes and some computer strategies for both software and hardware in helping them in the different projects they are making as well as posting some updates with the rapid developments with the technology in the market; And many other networking sites were developed for people to exchange information with. These social sites even serve as a channel for some groups, sectors and organizations in the extending information to people as well as gathering information and help.

Though the nature of these networking sites is for connectivity of one to another, unfortunately, some people are using the influence of these sites for conducting their dark, immoral or harmful intentions to other people.

Because of the success and the growing popularity of the different pioneering social networking sites, a lot of websites transformed the look and feel, design of their sites and added features similar to these networking sites to invite more users into joining their community. With the connectivity of these networking sites, a new virtual community has emerged with people coming from different parts of the globe.

Since its emergence, millions of people have been hooked up primarily because constant communication plays a vital role in everyday life. Nowadays, social networking has provided new and up to date means of communication and sharing information because majority of their services is web-based, which are very accessible and offers a wide variety of ways users can interact. They communicate with each other by chat, instant messaging, video conference and blogs. In general, the service provides a way for members to get in touch with friends of other members. One can also strengthen friendships, discover new affection through dating sites; meet a colleague just to “hang out” together, engage in a new business venture or a hybrid that offers a combination of these. No wonder hundreds of millions of people have joined one or more social networking sites all over the world.

However, the growing popularity of these social networks accompanies several risks. Hackers, virus writers, spammers, identity thieves, and other criminals are very rampant these days. To instill awareness, here are a few safety guidelines:

1. Carefully select your social network. Make a quick run-through of the Web site’s safety notifications, standards, and learn how to report infringement.
2. Be choosy on who you accept as a friend on a social network.
3. Take into account that information you post on a social networking is considered permanent, and you cannot take it back anymore. It cannot be easily deleted due to the fact that anybody can print or save it, even if you have deleted your account.
4. Never over-share. Think twice before sharing details. Control the information you post and think about restricting access to your page to a selected group of people. Don’t divulge your full name, Social Security number, address, phone number, or bank and credit card account numbers — and don’t post other people’s information, either. Be alert about posting information that could be used to identify you or locate you offline.
5. Posted personal beliefs and jokes may be insulting and unethical to some people that can readily access your account.
6. Make sure your screen name doesn’t reveal too much about yourself. A fake name or alias will do, as there was never a rule to use your real name on a social network.
7. Don’t trust strangers because you never really know if he/she is telling the truth or just pretending to be somebody he/she really is not. Trust your instincts if you have suspicions.
8. It’s never a crime to join social networking and to have fun. All you have to do is be responsible and vigilant enough. Take extra precautions to avert probable negative outcomes.
9. Make sure you maintain your computer’s defenses like an updated anti-virus, firewall, anti-spyware and operating system updates.

If you don’t want to be left behind, embrace the invasion while it’s still fiery hot!