If there is anything apart from cell phones that could be said to be revolutionary and a part of everyday life, then its Social Networking Websites. Yes, we are talking about websites like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Bebo, Hi5, Orkut, etc etc. Sure, pretty familiar ! We use them many often, more than we visit our email account(s).

So good is the experience that these sites provide that many people, if not all of them, forget about the very serious security risks that come preoccupied with such networking. Risks if briefly explained, would include Technical risks such as malicious software or various scripts on web pages etc and Social risks such as losing one's identity, unwanted personal exposure, etc. The list is never ending, if we include scientific results also. I was completely shocked when one such result claimed that social networking could raise your risk of cancer. I never bothered reading that article, really.

Now, why all this? First of all, the biggest security risks are finding their way through social networking websites. Other reasons, we have just discussed above.

Its not the first time this issue has been raised. Many amongst you might have read or heard about it in media. The issue has been raised many times in media but no solutions could be found attached therewith. Solutions, Huh! do they really exist? Or this is just a (another) case of "Prevention is Cure".

Now, lets discuss possible solutions.

What I feel in this regard that no particular organization including government of any one country could do well against it, save for banning these websites totally and other view given below. But I do feel that the social networking websites themselves should take strict measures towards it. I feel a separate/dedicated section should be developed and maintained strictly by each of these websites, whether jointly or severally, which is dedicated to giving information and spreading awareness on the all kind of risks related thereto.

Also, Government(s) should also take initiative by creating a dedicated website on this following by good advertisement. One may wonder why I am taking a shot on the government(s). That’s because I feel, that personal information available at or extracted from Social sites have contributed well in effecting crimes in various parts of the world. Sure thing.

What they can do therein is providing the measures or activities that users should adapt and refrain from adapting. This would include details on malicious software making the news worldwide or about anything that people with malicious intent would do to take advantage of these sites.

Most importantly, a link to such dedicated section or website should appear on each and every webpage that a user might open on such Social website. Just like a heading "know about risks" appearing below the logo of the Social website.

I cannot enlist each of such risk and possible solutions because I feel it is virtually impossible to list all of them over here.

In support of above, lets talk about the most popular recent worm, named as Conficker . Conficker made it first appearance, of course worldwide, in November 2008 and has made its comeback in the first week of this April, or lets say in the beginning of the new financial year.

Right, many few people knew about it and even less know about the solution i.e. update that Microsoft has specifically provided for it, at no cost. It would not have been the case if anyone of the social networking site would have taken any initiative, whatsoever regarding Conficker. Strange it is, virus and solution both co-exist without knowledge of the user infected by it. Its really rarely !

So, putting end to what I can do on my part over here, I strongly recommend Social Networking Website(s) and government(s) to take strict measures for creating and spreading awareness on the issue.

It is very much possible that I am wrong in many areas discussed above or incomplete with them. So, I surely invite you to write what you feel could be possible a solution to such threats.

Thanks you all.