LinkedIn users may be aware of the recent reports, where many of the passwords were stolen after the LinkedIn servers were hacked, thereby compromising the security and privacy of its many users. The popularity of LinkedIn, as a serious social networking site has been on the rise. This has made it an attractive target for hackers. Why just LinkedIn … any site could be hacked and your personal information compromised.

Considering this fact, it might be a good time now to have a look at some of the best security and privacy practices while logging into sites like LinkedIn.com.

First of all, make sure you are using a good updated antivirus software on your computer and your operating system and browser is up-to-date.

LinkedIn Login

Next, ensure that you are using a  strong password.  It is always a good idea to change your passwords periodically – maybe every 3 months or so. And whenever you need to change any password, never do so by clicking a link on any email you may receive – it may be a phishing mail. Visit the site directly by typing the URL in your browsers bar and then visiting the Settings page to change the password. In case you forget your LinkedIn password, you can always reset your LinkedIn password.

Moreover, never use the same password for logging into other sites.

Here are some suggestions by LinkedIn on what kind of passwords you should go for:

• Never use a Dictionary word.
• Select passwords with 10 or more characters.
• Use a meaningful phrase, song or quote and turn it into a complex password using the first letter of each word.
• Complexity – Randomly add capital letters, punctuation, numerals or symbols.
• Substitute numbers for letters that look similar (for example, substitute “0? for “o” or “3″ for “E”.

LinkedIn also recommends that you not put your email address, address or phone number in your profile’s Summary.

Connect with people you know and/or feel you can trust. Being circumspect while connecting with LinkedIn or any other social networking site for that matter is something that you must always keep in mind.

Have a look at your Privacy settings. Visit the Profile Privacy Controls section.

Here you can:

1. Turn on/off your activity broadcasts
2. Select who can see your activity feed
3. Select what others see when you’ve viewed their profile
4. Select who can see your connections
5. Change your profile photo & visibility »
6. Show/hide “Viewers of this profile also viewed” box
7. Manage Advertising preferences
8. And more!

If you face any problems with regard to security or privacy, you can submit your questions or register your complaints  here.

Lastly, do remember that it is always a good practice to sign out of your LinkedIn account once you have completed your work – especially in the case of shared computers.

Do share if you feel if there are any other precautions one needs to take while signing into LinkedIn or similar social sites.

Incidentally, the following articles may also be worth checking out, at this point of time!

• Facebook Sign In: How to securely login to Facebook
• Hotmail Sign In: How to securely login to Hotmail
• Gmail Sign In: How to securely login to Gmail
• Yahoo Login: How to Securely Sign to Yahoo! Mail
• Twitter Login and Sign in Help
• PayPal Login : How to Sign up and Sign in securely
• Skype Login: Security and Safety Tips for beginners.