We have talked a lot about virus and malware spreading through emails and Web sites. There is one more source... social media. This is because we don't think before clicking a link in Twitter or Facebook — it is from our friends, and why would friends post dangerous links?

The answer is, they don't post them intentionally. Most of them are not even aware they are posting something to their friends' walls or timeline.

One major source is micro-blogs. The 140-character restriction has spawned scores of URL shorteners. Most of the time, we just click a shortened URL and end up in a malware factory.

The easiest way to avoid this is not to follow back everybody who follows you. It is extremely important to choose who you follow. The next step is to not click on every ‘interesting' link in your timeline. And don't retweet blindly.

If you have a Twitter account, using third-party Twitter clients such as Brizzly or Hootsuite will help you to see the real URL hiding behind the shortened one.

Blind clicking leads to embarrassing situations. Amongst Facebook's apps is one that tells you how ‘hot' you are — every day. Your level is promptly posted in all your friends' walls. Not only are they ‘informed' about your ‘status', their curiosity is also kindled. They, in turn, click to find out what makes you so ‘hot' and now, they are caught.

There are other links that somehow make it to Facebook walls without even the person being aware of it. If you come across a sexy picture or a video, first check whether the URL is genuine. The video or photo you see may not be in Facebook at all and may land you in some malware site, or worse, you could download some virus too.

Many Facebook users have the habit of approving friend requests blindly. Add the dangerous links. It is a potential tinderbox out there.

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