In recent years the use of social networks has grown exponentially around the world. Social networking serves many different purposes including interpersonal connection, education, research, and business. Users include all sectors of the population, from young teenagers to the elderly, in all socioeconomic groups. According to government statistics, there are more than 500 million users on Facebook, 175 million on Twitter and more than 100 million on MySpace. (McDowell 1) Although social networks can be very useful in many ways; it can also be very dangerous. Social networking sites have not completely eliminated all risks. The risks include damage to your personal safety and to your professional and business world. Participation in social networks can also lead to attacks: financial attacks as well as attacks on computer hardware. One of the risks of social networks is that they can cause damage to personal safety. Personal information can be leaked or simply posted online and could fall into the hands of someone dangerous. Information such as addresses and other personal information is provided on personal pages; and hackers could recover this information. The dangers of social networks include serious physical harm or even death. This is demonstrated by the case of a 17-year-old girl from Rhode Island who was drugged and raped by three men she met on MySpace. (Fleming, 28) In another case, a 13-year-old girl from Texas was sexually assaulted after meeting one of her MySpace friends in a parking lot. Her parents tried to sue MySpace for negligence, because their daughter had lied about her age. However, the case was dismissed because the judge ruled that his parents, not MySpace, had a document... half of paper... February 2011: 8 pages. Press. This article explains how to avoid being intercepted or tracked online. Discusses home network security and file sharing security. In fact, he suggests disappearing from all social networks. He says the best thing to do is to start over with a new identity and be more careful. Zachary, Mary-Kathryn. “Social Networking Sites in Work Cases.” Labor law for supervisors. November 1, 2010. Print. This four-page article is written for the benefit of employers. A case is discussed in which an employee complained of mental distress due to the employment relationship. He points out that courts cannot treat social networking sites as private. He says supervisors and employees should be aware of the employment ramifications of social networks. It is risky for both employees and employers to use these tools from a liability perspective.