I was sent a notice today about some wardrobe malfunctions and to click on this link to see the video behind the scenes! Spammers and virus spreaders know to prey on our inner dark curiosity … and often they can be successful if we don’t guard ourselves.

Following are 10 suggestions for Facebook users:

1> Don’t tell us something bad will happen if we don’t forward your prayer or make a wish and then forward to our friends. It won’t and it really makes you look silly.

2> You will not get a free ticket to an airline or a gift certificate for some sexy lingerie if you only will like a page … what you will get is a scam survey at best.

3> As horrid as a picture of a sick child or animal might be … Facebook will not donate money for every Like. Don’t send it on we really do not need to see it.

4> If you are tempted to read the lurid account of I can’t believe he did this to his girlfriend, daughter, wife etc. … well you probably deserve what you get … a virus and some embarrassment as all your friends see what you have been tempted to view.

5> If you like games … good on you and play away. However when you join a new game and it asks who to send invites to, don’t select your entire friends list. A lot of us don’t play and the farm will have to grow without our help. Just sayin’

6> When you click on application and you get to the screen that states “Request For Permission” think long and hard and make sure you know the application. When it states the app can then post to your Wall as you … that is exactly what it means. Do you really want to give the ability to someone to post your wall as you?? Of course then all of your friends get your/their spam product posts.

7> Hoaxes from – A Killer In Your Fridge to the Zulican Fish Virus. Take a moment to do a bit of research in sites like http://www.hoaxbusters.org/ BEFORE you send it on … PLEASE.

8> Urban Legends and these range all over from – FDA health advisory regarding drugs containing PPA (phenylpropanolamine) to Cut Onion Contamination again PLEASE do some research before you forward or post. Here is a good site for Urban Legendshttp://www.snopes.com/

9> Any application offering to show you who has viewed your profile, who your Facebook stalkers are etc., are guaranteed to be fraudulent. Facebook doesn’t allow developers access to the data required to create apps like this. Many unsuspecting users might be under the impression that if it’s on Facebook then it must be legitimate. That is totally not the case.

10> Lastly your privacy is important. Take the time to review your privacy settings. Here is the official Facebook page on Privacyhttps://www.facebook.com/help/privacy and this offers some insight as well http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-privacy-now-2011-10

Ian Conklin is the President of OTR Web Solutions a web development company since 2000 with offices in Canada, USA, Europe and South America.