If you smoke, have survived a life-threatening illness or use Facebook, you may have to pay higher insurance premiums. That is the conclusion of a report in the London Paper tonight after UK insurer Legal & General said it may consider asking its claimants whether they use the social networking website.

L&G commissioned a survey which showed that those using Twitter or Facebook may be unwittingly giving useful informtion to potential house burglars. Writing status (on holiday abroad), boasting about a valuable purchase or letting your children say it for you, could endanger your family if you reveal personal details such as address where you live.

The development comes weeks after the wife of the succeeding new director of MI6 British security services published security risk data on Facebook, including address.

ORLA's Advice: Never reveal personal details on profiles of Facebook. That means: your address, your date of birth, your status if reveals you are away from home, to name but a few.