Self Defense For Women and Social Networking Sites

If the best self-defense strategy is prevention, then consider the information you are providing to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Social networking sites are amazing places to connect with current and old friends and make new contacts, too. Social networks are also great place to search for networks and information. But anyone has access to these sites including potential employers, admissions offices, and people with less than honorable intentions.

If you are open with your personal information, know that professional burglars are delighted when you list your address and the fact that you'll be going away for a week on a long-awaited vacation.

They just love it when you post pictures of your home and brag about your cool new gadgets and goodies.

After all, you've just made the burglar's work easier. He can case your house from his laptop and if you are too forthcoming he will not only have a list of targets but a shopping list of items to take when he arrives.

But it's not just burglars who find social networking sites to be a boon.

Identity thieves have access to the internet, also.

So you may want to reconsider the decision to list your actual birthday in your Facebook profile.

And you certainly want to tightly control any information regarding you and your whereabouts if you are dealing with an abusive relationship or if you are being stalked.

This caveat also applies to your children who may not realize the full implications of releasing sensitive information for all the world to see. Other family members and friends may post information and photos that by including you unwittingly give clues of your whereabouts.

You don't have to deny yourself the many benefits that social networking has to offer, but being mindful that your information can be used against you will guide you in deciding just how much you want to reveal.

Making a conscious decision about the information you are choosing to give out on social networking sites is an excellent part of any woman's self defense strategy.

by Lisa Cooper