Social networking can be great fun if you're careful

The FBI recently announced that there has been an increase in the number of hacked social networking accounts.

Social networking profiles are getting hijacked with increasing frequency, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). The FBI made sure to mention that social networking sites are generally safe, but that it might also be a good idea to exercise a little caution when visiting them. This could be good advice to follow no matter what sort of site you use.

The Feds say that you should consider: adjusting your privacy settings, carefully choosing whose friend requests you accept, limiting access to your profile and not clicking on any old link that seems like it might be interesting.

They also say that one popular scam involves online dirtbags planting dangerous software onto people's computers. This will send out a spam message to all of those people's online friends and their computers could be infected with a virus that steals passwords as a result.

If you think your profile might have been hacked, the FBI says you should go to the IC3 website.

New online dating site features personality assessment

A new online dating site launched on October 1 and it says it's taking dating back to the basics.

Guys And Girls Next Door (GND) is based in Seattle and wants to provide singles with a different sort of internet dating experience. It aims to do so by combining elements of regular dating with personality evaluations, feedback and coaching.

'Our goal is for all our members to find committed relationships based in authenticity, honesty and self-awareness,' said GND co-founder Angel Cruzado. 'Our philosophy focuses on self-discovery: the more you know yourself - what you want, how others perceive you - the easier it is to successfully find a long-term connection. We help our members meet like-minded, compatible people.'

On GND, you have a choice of two membership options: Group Membership and Individual Membership. Group features events like social mixers and Individual offers one-on-one discussions with GND staff to help you improve your dating skills.

Until October 31, you can become a member for free, although you'll be asked to pay an initiation fee of $50. Starting in November, participating on GND will cost $75 per month.

Social networking site has all the answers

A young woman recently launched her own group on a popular social networking site and she says that she's now ready to help people around the world.

Kimberly Clo is the creator of a DVD entitled Now You Know How To Blow Dry Your Hair and she's just created her own fan page on Facebook that's meant to provide further support.

'I know from personal experience that in most salons, stylists don't typically have the time to answer all of the client's questions about styling their hair at home,' said Clo. 'This feels like the best way to help people really get the answers they are looking for; instead of reading a magazine article that may or may not apply to them.'

Clo's group is called 'Bad hair days SUCK and their days are numbered!' She encourages everyone to join.

Clo can also teach you how to smoothen and straighten your hair as well as give it more body and bounce, according to her website. Of Clo's services, American country singer-songwriter Sara Evans said, 'I've never had a blowout done to my hair the way Kimberly Clo can do it.'