Many of those that subscribe to social networking websites like Facebook and Twitter are compromising personal details and putting their security at risk, it has been revealed.

And a UK insurance giant has warned that such customers could face higher home insurance premiums because they face a higher probability of being robbed than others.

According to a recent report, burglars are now using social networking sites to identify likely targets.

Against this backdrop Legal & General issued a warning to its customers that they could put their security at risk by making such information available on social networking sites.

Although some insurers have said it was not yet a problem, L&G reportedly said it was considering asking customers if they used social networking sites.

In the newspaper report it was found that in a survey of 2,000 social networking site users, nearly four in 10 had posted updates on holiday plans and nearly half were not concerned about their security on the websites.