Nowadays, Facebook is one of the fastest growing socializing network platforms. Million of users have been added already, and the numbers are still growing with every passing day.

Facebook has successfully attracted people from all corners of the world, including all age groups, so you might have some old high-school friends, your colleagues or even your parents added as your friends!

However, this does not mean that you are safe from all the risks that can come along. Thus, beware of these Facebook risks, while you share your feelings with your friends or just grow your crops.

1. Remember Who Your Friends Are

Although you might be tempted to add all the friend requests you get, as you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but you should keep in mind the people you have befriended over time.

There have been many examples of people who have said too much on Facebook, and have got in trouble for it.

Keep in mind that if you call in sick for work or school, don’t post your pictures shopping in the mall on the same day.

Most employers also Google the job applicants and try to find them on Facebook, before making any decision to hire them.

Thus be very careful about what you write on your profile, and restrict the people you allow to be your friends.

2. Protecting Private Information

It is important to keep in mind what applications you use, as when you authorize an application, you are putting your security, information and your friend’s security at risk too, as someone might use your name to talk to them. It is better to use the application and not to authorize because every application you use.

You can keep an eye on which applications you have authorized by going to “Settings” and clicking “Application Settings“. Then, on the “Show” dropdown menu select “Authorized” and you’ll see the list of applications that can access your data and are allowed to post and view information from your contacts.

You can also restrict that which friends or other contacts can see what information, by going to the “Setting > Privacy Settings“. There you can also have a look at your profile the way other people see it.

3. Look Out For Strangers

You never know who’s on the other end when you are talking to someone online. Some people even exaggerate or make up their life or persona.

Just a little amount of your personal information is needed to help identity thieves to take over your identity and apply for store cards or even commit crimes in your name.

Social engineering, the process of tricking people into giving information has always been around, but is especially useful on Facebook.

Using Facebook to find dates is also extremely dangerous. Even id you’ve known someone for over months online and connect spiritually, you still don’t know much about them.

Don’t rely on pictures as well. Never, ever send money to people asking for it. Don’t give out your home address. If you want to meet in real life just meet in a public place with lots of people where you can leave within five minutes if you smell something fishy or the date is just disappointing. You can also check some of the claims made by a person, like by calling the company he or she works for to ask if that’s true.

4. Online Addiction

Facebook has a tendency to suck you in and keep you there for hours and hours. You can do so many things, chat with friends, browse through photos or post your own, play a game or search for old classmates.

However, it’s not good when this starts to dominate your life and gets in the way of other things that need your attention.

Try to keep a track of the time you spend there and take a break now and then. Treat Facebook as a reward, after some work has been done.

Get rid of a game that takes up too much time or maybe take some days off from Facebook. The harder it is for you, the bigger is your problem.

I personally love Facebook, what I’m trying to say here is that just be aware of people that are trying to scam you out of your money. There is no problem if you use Facebook as it’s intended; hanging out with friends and having some fun.