Further security concerns have been raised regarding  popular social networking site Facebook, after IT security vendor Sophos found  that a quarter of users reveal information relating to their employers.

According to the report, which questioned 200 users on the London Facebook network, 75% of users allow their profiles to be viewed by any other member, regardless of whether or not they had agreed to be ‘friends’. A further 25% of users, equating to 300,000 individuals, revealed information relating to their work.

According to Sophos, such details could potentially be used by cyber criminals to commit corporate identity fraud.

The research also found that 54% of users in the London network reveal their full date of birth, a vital piece of information for those wishing to commit online identity fraud.

Graham Cluey, senior technology consultant at Sophos, said that users need to take prudent steps to protect their privacy on the social network site: “The Facebook network issue almost amounts to identity-on-demand for cybercriminals, who are fully capable of taking advantage of unwitting Facebook fans. It’s crucial that users take a few minutes to look at their privacy settings before getting caught up in the undisputed fun of Facebook.”

This latest research will only add to concerns held by many employers about workers’ use of Web 2.0 technologies including social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace, at work.

In August this year the Trades Union Congress (TUC) criticised companies who restrict workers’ online access, arguing that such tools are a popular mode of communication. Companies wishing to attract and retain young new talent will have to embrace such popular technology tools, the Union argued.