Internet users are more aware of the risk of online viruses and hacking but their social networking habits are leaving them in danger of falling victim to identity fraudsters, according to research from GetSafeOnline.org.

The organisation claims that while more people are installing firewalls, anti-virus and internet security applications on PCs and laptops, they think nothing of posting sensitive personal information such as dates of birth and where they live on sites such as MySpace, Facebook or Friends Reunited.

“The popularity of social networking and other sites means that we are much more open about ourselves and our lives online,” said Tony Neate, managing director of GetSafeOnline.org. “Although some of these details may seem harmless, they actually provide rich pickings for criminals.

“While most people wouldn’t give this information to a stranger in real life, they will happily post it online where people they don’t know can see it.”