Facebook is one of the most incredible resources on the Web – it brings together friends, families, business associates, and has given rise to an entire industry (primarily zynga for which we all have to thank. And hey, its still free!

But it still amazes me how many people will fret about the turning off every light before going on vacation, then will submit pictures from Hawaii so that every burglar knows they’re not home.

shadows are ominous..

And the pictures of them & friends at the Christmas party wearing expensive jewelry or watches, or charity car washes in expensive cars won’t decrease the chances that these folks become prime “leads” for burglars. While Facebook doesn’t list addresses, there are plenty of online database companies that can help thieves figure out where one lives.

Here’s what we can do to continue to enjoy Facebook for the awesome tool it is, but to be wary that thieves are wise to social media now:

1) Go into your account settings and turn your privacy settings so that only friends or friends of friends can see the recent pictures you are posting. This does NOT mean you have to make your profile invisible, we can continue to enjoy the ability for business associates and long lost friends to find us by making profiles public, but adjust the privacy settings so that the Wall and Photo Albums are not live to public view when on vacation.

2) Post pics of Hawaii after Hawaii. That goes about tweeting about how beautiful Maui is while you’re still in Maui!