This morning there were two messages in my Facebook inbox about a "video that wouldn't load properly." Knowing the senders only through online networking, I simply deleted the messages and moved on.

This brings up the first rule of social media safety: If you feel at all suspicious or unsure, delete the message. It's far better to err on the side of caution rather than put your PC, your data, and your online network at risk. And if you're still curious, contact the sender directly and ask them if they indeed sent it. A good friend or legitimate business contact will be more than happy to respond.

Because of their sheer size and popularity, sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are sure to attract a few mischievous and downright vicious members. Navigating social media sites safely requires a measure of diligence and common sense.

Sarah Perez offers some great safety tips on ReadWriteWeb in her post "How to Avoid Malware on Facebook and Twitter: 8 Best Practices." Knowing these ideas will make you more aware of what types of threats to look out for, and make your social media experience more productive and enjoyable. Be safe!