Chicago, May 11 : Officials are warning that the success of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter has made police even more vulnerable.

While police have for some time used social networking sites to identify and investigate suspected criminals, now criminals are using such sites to identify and investigate law enforcement officers, including undercover police.

Fox News quoted Lauri Stevens, an organizer of this week''s Social Media, Internet and Law Enforcement conference in Chicago, as saying that social media sites would continue to be used to target police officials.

He said that there was a need to swap ideas over harnessing the changing media environment and protecting against its dangers.

"They (social media sites) have brought dangers right to their families," said Phoenix detective CJ Wren, noting that when officers create Facebook or Twitter accounts they need to realize, "It''s my life, it''s my family''s life."

"Social networking is supposed to be fun ... but you''ve got to take that extra step now when you are in this business," he told law enforcement officers.

He added: "You can have your Facebook locked down as tight as you possible can, but if your friend''s not doing it, you''re compromised." (ANI)