I'm often asked whether I 'really' know all of my 2000+ Facebook friends, and quite obviously the answer is 'no'.

Given the size of the rock that we live on, I might have spoken to some in passing, I've certainly met a few others at parties or weddings, and I've also had an online conversation with a handful, but as far as 'really' knowing any of them, I don't think so.

'But then why have you added them?' I'm asked.

Once I'm done rolling my eyeballs into my forehead, I patronisingly explain that it is because I equate Facebook to being out on the streets or in a bar. This means that unless someone is visibly carrying a handgun, a grenade, or leprosy, and they happen to say 'hello' to me, chances are that I will say 'hello' back. And in the cyber world of social networking, that's what adding a friend on Facebook is all about.

'But don't you end up sharing too much with people you don't know?' they quiz. 'Why would you want strangers to see your photos, read your status, or know who you are in a relationship with?'

Three very deep breaths and a shot of tequila later, I explain that unless you limit Facebook to yourself and your dog, you should not live under the illusion that it is in anyway private or restricted to the people you choose to share it with.

Facebook is a social network, and just as the description subtly implies, one should only use it if they're open to social networking, that is, making new social contacts, and/or nurturing the ones they already have.

Whenever you upload anything to Facebook, be it a status or a photo, a video or a comment, it is out in the public domain. No matter how far you go to limit your profile, no matter how prudent you are with your security settings, Facebook is, and will always be, open to all.

Let's say, for argument's sake, that you block a particular 'friend' because she slept with your man. Truth of the matter is that unless you block her other 452 friends, blocking her is purely symbolic, and like Gonzi's 'No' vote after the divorce referendum, it's just about as useful as Captain Hook at a gynaecologists' convention.

Why? Duh!

Surely you've all been the recipients of requests such as Sharon asking you to see 'that cow's' profile, and Mark asking you what John's status was this morning. Surely you've had someone who claims not to have a Facebook account criticizing your latest status update, and I'm sure you know quite a few people who really don't have Facebook accounts and yet are all over their friends' photo albums.

In addition, whilst you might have all your privacy settings limited to 'just friends', most Facebook users sign into Facebook first thing in the morning, and remain signed in all day, leaving all those around their desks, homes and offices, free for to browse and sneak.

Your Facebook friends can also download your photos, email them, twitter them, and Bluetooth them, not to mention that with one look at someone's phone, your status could very easily end up being the topic of conversation during your ex's wedding.

So, take it from me, the best thing to do is to do away with all the false sense of security and have an open profile with no limits, no security settings, and ultimately no fear.

Having an open profile is the best constant reminder not to ever upload anything remotely compromising, and because your potential embarrassment doesn't depend solely on what you upload yourself, always act somewhat appropriately, because with smart phones all over the place, you never know what might end up on tomorrow's Newsfeed.

As a final word of advice, here's the latest privacy warning doing the rounds on Facebook:

ATTENTION EVERYONE!!! NEW PRIVACY ISSUE WITH FACEBOOK! As of tomorrow, Facebook will creep into your bathroom when you're in the shower, smack your bottom, and then steal your clothes and towel. To change this option, go to Privacy Settings > Personal Settings > Bathroom Settings > Smacking and Stealing Settings, and uncheck the Shenanigans box. Facebook kept this one quiet. Copy and Paste on your status to alert the unaware!

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