Many of you are going on vacation soon. You're probably so excited you want to share it by posting on Facebook or other social media. Please DO NOT. By doing so, you are telling numerous people that you will be away and your home and belongings are ripe for picking. Many people choose to have a public profile on Facebook. This means that anybody can see your status updates and pictures. Some even have their current address in the “places lived” app. Security experts say that having a public profile on Facebook is like laying out the welcome mat for burglars and identity thieves.

Even if you have enabled privacy settings, others can still see your postings through your friends. For example, when one of my friends makes a comment or likes someone else’s picture or status update, Many can still see that picture or status update, even if that person is not your friend on Facebook. They can then click on the picture or the poster’s name, and very frequently, can find out where that person lives, works, went to school, eats, etc.

Whether you’re at home is not the only thing you may be telling people through your Facebook profile. Those great pictures of your Super Bowl party? While you are tagging your friends burglars are looking past them at your nice flat screen TV and sound system. Got a cute picture of your baby in the backyard? You may also be showing burglars that your back door has a flimsy handle. Just be aware that others may be waiting for the opportunity to act.