With social networking being the hottest thing since toast, everyone has an online profile whether they realize it or not—and that carries with it potential dangers you may not even know about.

For example, most people hardly realize that both text and photos posted on Facebook or MySpace (or any other social media site) have a good chance of appearing on the first page of Google's search results whenever someone enters your name. Remember that little note you wrote about how you scored with your boss's daughter? Well, it's now being read by your future employer. And, just a few clicks away, there you are on your first trip to Las Vegas...toasting your friends while scantily clad strippers give you an enthusiastic thumbs up in the background. Yeah, fun times! ...that you're likely to regret for the rest of your life simply because the whole world can now view your debauchery and there is nothing much you will ever be able to do about it.

Ok, so THAT particular scenario doesn't apply to you (we hope). Regardless the opportunities to ruin your life online are as plentiful and as fertile as the typical searcher's imagination. For now, let's give you the benefit of the doubt that your online reputation is as clean as a whistle. Here's a list of mistakes to avoid to ensure it stays that way!

• Becoming a fan
  It seems that every time I log into Facebook I get a message telling me that my 12 year old niece or my 10 year old nephew are fans of Birthday Cake. While your boss and I couldn't care less about someone's love for cake, it's only human nature to sit up and take notice if you're a fan of something more risque. Of course being a fan of birthday cake is harmless but there are people who attempt to show how open minded or cool they are by choosing topics with shock value. Be aware that, online, there are interests that are inappropriate for public record. So, whenever in doubt; just don't! Bear in mind that, when someone interviews you for that job you're seeking, you don't want them saying "Riiight, ...you're the fan of Linda Lovelace and your hero is John Holmes!" ...actually, on second thought, you probably wouldn't get that interview in the first place.

• Taking Quizzes
  How long will you survive when zombies attack? What kind of terrorist would YOU be? While such "quizzes" may seem fun or innocent, you should be aware that they tend to reflect upon your personality and paint a portrait of who you are in the minds of curious onlookers. They could suggest to someone that you waste a lot of time online and make them wonder just how dedicated you really are to work or study or actual self improvement. As executives who hire employees and subcontractors who work online in virtual settings, we can tell you that online activities tell us a lot about the person we are considering. We'd much rather employ serious-minded individuals who show high level interests than funny people who fritter their time away on trivial pop-culture, silly quizzes, fads and games.

• Photos and Video
  Remember those scenes of you in Vegas? ...with the champagne and strippers that may or may not have happened? Well guilty or not, and regardless of whether you remember, those images are online. No-doubt they're also a major threat to your reputation. Go ahead...tell us that the person in the picture or video isn't you when in fact your face is clearly visible and a mouse-over or tag displays your name. Yep, in this brave new world you may have to frequently tell your friends "No pictures please!!!" ...regardless of how silly they may think you are being. Be smart. It only takes a few seconds nowadays to snap a pic or shoot a video and upload it to the Web for all the world to enjoy. Forever. Make a rule right now with all of your friends that they should NEVER post any image of you online without your prior approval. Any "friend" who disagrees is either dangerously naive or else isn't really your friend. Make no exceptions.

• Nudity or Sexually Suggestive Poses
  When it comes to full or partial nudity, or sexually suggestive poses, there should be no such thing as trust! People do stupid, vindictive things when they are mad. Spitefulness or theft can cause images to be leaked. There are entire sites devoted to showing embarrassing images of all sorts of people in compromised positions. Always keep your clothes on when in public even if you are on Bourbon street ...or any place where someone might have any sort of camera—which is pretty much everywhere nowadays. When it comes to sexual content, take a strong stance and TRUST NO ONE!

• Expressing yourself
  Our desire to express ourselves is the very reason that social networks are thriving. We join groups to support political candidates and we rant about religion, abortion, and gay rights. Of course it's wonderful that we have the freedom and venues to express our opinions. However, you must also be aware that political, religious or social views that you share online could be viewed by your current or potential employer. Your expressions could give them cause to fire or not-hire you—and it would be difficult at best to prove the source of their bias in spite of it being illegal for them to discriminate against you in such manner. Also bear in mind that controversial postings may come back to haunt your reputation with peers and co-workers...or alienate those who could otherwise become allies or friends who catalyze valuable networking or dating opportunities.

  Most people today get their news online from sources both mainstream and upstart. Often you can post comments expressing your opinion. And, although we rarely remember what we wrote, the Web tends to remember forever. And, even if we later change our opinions, those old posts can make it look like we support something that we actually don't anymore. So, before you rant or rave on any topic, remember that your musings will become what is often a permanent and fossilized picture of who your are and what you believe whenever you posted under your real name or any account that can be tracked back to you. Think about this whenever you feel compelled to wax on about your perspective. Make sure you are either completely anonymous or are certain you want your contribution to be attached to your reputation forever.

• Check your spelling–typos matter!
  It's amazing how many grown adults and college students exhibit the spelling skills of a fourth grader. Simply put, bad spelling makes you look ignorant and stupid to all of the right people–especially those who hold the purse strings to your hopefully bright future. Therefore, always focus on good spelling and routinely use spell check before posting anything associated with your name. Take a lesson from Courtney Love whose PR agent made her quit twitter because her tweets were essentially undecipherable to anyone whose brain wasn't already destroyed from drugs and alcohol. Just remember "I before E, except after C..." (except for the words height, foreign, conscience, feisty...never mind...).

Remember that the Web is forever, literally. Whatever you put out into the public domain under your name is likely to survive you for untold generations. Take the time to learn the ropes and consider carefully before being cute, silly, risque, or controversial. When using social media like Facebook or YouTube, be sure to set up private pages whenever you set up a profile under your name. And perhaps most importantly, make sure your friends understand that your image belongs to only you! ...and it isn't to be treated capriciously.

Have fun, learn and grow—but be sure to always protect yourself FIRST!