You know those slightly embarrassing photos of you on your 21st birthday on Facebook.com?

Or the raunchy comments a friend posted on your wall?

Whatever you have on your Facebook profile, remember that your friends aren't the only ones that could be looking at it.

MSU administrators, professors and police can also access the Web site as long as they have an e-mail address that ends in ".edu."

It's also possible students could get into legal trouble for stuff they put on Facebook.

In 2004, some students in Case Hall were arrested for underage drinking. Their dorm room party had been posted on Facebook and the complex director used it to catch the students.

Students might feel their information is secure because you need an account to get on Facebook, but remember that it's not hard to get one.

That means all that embarrassing or potentially illegal stuff you put up as a joke could land you in hot water or at the very least embarrass you.

Many students don't see a problem in putting sensitive personal information on the Internet.

We are a generation that has grown up on the Internet and creates online profiles with addresses, phone numbers and other things we ordinarily wouldn't give to strangers.

Yet we don't mind letting billions of people see it online.

It's like posting giant signs on Grand River Avenue with personal information written on them. If there's something you don't want random strangers to know, then don't make it public online.

We need to remember that when we put pictures, quotes, party invitations or other information on Facebook or other Web sites, lots of people could be looking at them. And they might not be the people you want.

Discretion should also be used for people who use Facebook to spy on others or investigate if students are committing illegal acts.

They need to keep in mind that lots of information posted on Facebook isn't true. The Internet can be a tricky place, full of lies and with little way to verify information.

At the very least you can change your privacy settings so your profile can only be viewed by certain people including friends and only people listed as students.

Changing your privacy settings can also restrict who can post on your wall and who can see your groups and contact information.

Everyone needs to use a little caution and discretion the next time they log in.

Or run the risk of having your next dorm party busted by some Internet-savvy hall mentor.