Facebook - Be SMART

Here are 10 things you should never share on Facebook.

1. Your birth date
Revealing your exact date of birth is risky, considering that financial institutions require such information for credit cards or bank statements. Having a date of birth visible for all to see is one step closer to identity theft

2. Your mother's maiden name
Remember that many websites use this as a security question to retrieve passwords and other personal information about your online accounts. Be wary of what you're sharing about your mother online.

3. Your home address
No need to share this information with friends, acquaintances, ex-partners or colleagues. Burglars have also been known to use Facebook to find empty houses when users posted that they were not at home.

4. Trips away from home
Status updates that mention that you will be away from home for a long period tells the online world that no one is keeping an eye on your empty house. If you really must publicise these details, it might be helpful to add that you have a burglar alarm or a fierce watchdog.

5. Leaving home for a short period of time
Broadcasting your location through check-ins or even simple things like saying you're out at the gym or at a shopping centre could give potential thieves the opportunity to break into your house.

6. Inappropriate photos
You've probably read news reports about people who have lost their jobs because of racy or other incriminating photos they posted online. Just don't do it.

7. Confessions/Venting frustrations
Don't tell Facebook (or Twitter) if you're angry with your boss, having an underage drinking party or doing illegal drugs. Or if you're supposed to be on medical leave but aren't really sick.
Screengrabs of these confessions that land in the wrong hands could cost you your job or even get you arrested.

8. Your phone number
Posting your phone number on Facebook could invite unwanted calls from telemarketers, stalkers or other friends-of-friends.

9. A countdown to your next holiday
Better to tell Facebook about your holiday after it's done, rather than inform potential crooks beforehand when your house will be empty.

10. Photos of the interior of your home
Posting what your house looks like just gives potential thieves an idea about what valuables you own and what to look out for.