Abingdon, U.K. - A recent survey of Facebook social network users found that 41% will divulge personal information to a complete stranger, "greatly increasing their susceptibility to identity theft," according to the report from Sophos, a provider of security software.

Sophos set up a fake Facebook profile under the name "Freddi Staur," and randomly asked 200 members to add the profile as a friend.

Of these, 87 accepted the request, and 82 further provided access to personal information on their profiles, including e-mail addresses, date of birth, home address or location, phone numbers, photos and other data.

"While accepting friend requests is unlikely to result directly in theft, it is an enabler, giving cybercriminals many of the building blocks they need to spoof identities, to gain access to online user accounts, or potentially, to infiltrate their employers' computer networks," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

The firm did note that Facebook, which claims over 37 million users, offers privacy features far more advanced than competing social networks.

Related Links:
http://www.sophos.com/pressoffice/news/articles/2007/08/facebook.html