Identity theft isn’t a new problem, but social media sure makes it a lot easier for thieves to access your personal information. So before you start revealing important personal information on your Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, make sure you are taking steps to secure the information that matters.

Think Before You Post

Facebook and other social networking apps give you plenty of opportunities to reveal your personal information, but remember financial instutitons also ask you for the same personal information in order to verify your identity. If your social media profiles include information like your middle name, your full birth date, your children’s names, your hometown, your mother’s maiden name, the schools you’ve attended and your address, you could be setting yourself up for identity theft.

In the same vein, it’s also best to avoid publicly answering cute questionnaries and personality quizzes that ask you personal information like your middle name. This makes it a lot easier for a hacker to access your personal information and, in some cases, the quiz’s creator could be the one out to steal your identity. Rather than give your confidential information away for free, save your personal information in .

Pick and Choose What Apps You Use

Social networking sites like Facebook allow you to use other applications while on your profile. Yet when you try to access these apps, they often ask for permission to access your data. If you agree to this, you are allowing a third party to send you emails, post to your wall, and access your information at any time. Be wary of which applications you’re allowing to access your information or, better yet, don’t allow any third party applications access to your information.

Maintain Secure Privacy Settings