Yesterday afternoon a group of about 30 Southeast Missouri State University students gathered in the University Center's Redhawk Room to learn about protecting their image and identity online.

Jason Lipe, associate director of Programs and Technology for Southeast Recreation Services, presented "Keeping Your Digital Footprint Clean." The program was organized by Academic Support Centers as part of the College Success and Financial Responsibility seminar series.

Lipe gave students tips about what they should and should not be posting on social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. He said a 2009 study revealed that 29 percent of employers screen job candidates by checking their Facebook profiles.

"Just know that people out there are looking at your information," Lipe said. "Make sure you know exactly what people are going to see."

Lipe suggested using the security settings available on social media sites to control what information others are seeing. He said to keep your profile set to private, browse in private when possible and never post your location information with features such as Foursquare and Facebook Check-in. According to Lipe, such information can make users more vulnerable to home robberies or stalkers.

Lipe also advised students to check their credit report by using Annualcreditreport.com. He said statistics from a 2009 report showed that 56 billion dollars were lost from identity theft that year.

Tammie Moore, a Southeast freshman who attended the seminar, said the program was helpful and resourceful and made her realize that she needs to be alert when it comes to online information.

"It opened my eyes as to how much people are looking at my information," Moore said.

Lipe manages all the social media for Southeast Recreation Services, so he knows firsthand how important it is to monitor what information is going online.

"Use common sense," Lipe said. "Make sure you know what information people can access, and what that information can do to your image."