Have you ever worked on your virtual cleaning? Better yet: have you ever tried putting your name on Google to see what happens? If you are not into the social networks or the internet in general, you might consider yourself a lucky pal. After all, people get nothing about you if they do a search using your name in vain. If that`s not the case, my friend, be very aware. People might find information about your life that you didn`t even know existed!

The pictures you post on Facebook, the comments you add to Twitter, the posts you have on your personal blog... it all leads to the helpful yet dangerous search engines. The material not necessarily has to be posted by you, though. Let`s say you went to an important party last night and were clicked by the photographers around.  Your photos are certainly somewhere to be seen right now and they probably have your name tagged on them, too. Especially if you`re famous or important in the city you live in.

For those who are used to post everything online, watch out! Remember you have your image to look after and you probably work for someone, has your name linked to a certain company or boss and all you post on the social networks is accessed by others – including your work colleagues.

Parties and night outs are truly dangerous when it comes to keeping your privacy. Say you`re happy to be there, along with that cute babe, had a few too many and the night is young. You are caught kissing someone you shouldn`t. Or maybe you should – and could – but it would be best keeping it to yourself  instead of having pictures of it all over the net the next day. Even your mom could see them! Think about that.

You may have forgotten all about it already, but there is always a chance one of those false friends of yours reminding you – and everyone else in your company – about your behavior the night before.

Okay, that is all to say that maybe we all should stop for a moment and do a real good clean-up on what you have online. Check the photos you have uploaded and see if they should really be there. Maybe restrict your albums so only close friends can access and comment them. Avoid saying too much, especially if you know many people will read it. See what Google says about you. When you do a search on your name, what does it find? What kind of information is out there for everyone to see?

Oh, and always remember: better safe than sorry! Try not to bully your boss or that annoying ex on Twitter if you think someone might read and tell – especially when you`ve had too  much to drink! Keep your work off the net and you are probably save for the day!