The media has reported that usernames and passwords for the social networking site, LinkedIn have been hacked. If you are a LinkedIn user, you should change your LinkedIn password as a matter of urgency.

If you have used the same username and password combination for any other site you should also change them as well.

Take the following steps to change your password in LinkedIn:

1. Log into LinkedIn.
2. Hover over your name in the top right hand corner of the webpage and you will open a drop-down menu.
3. Choose "Settings".
4. Choose the option to change your password.
5. Enter your old password, followed by a new password twice. Make sure it's a strong one!

LinkedIn users are starting to report increased volumes of spam mail. Phishing emails have also been sent (emails containing a link to a website that doesn't do what you might expect).

If you are a LinkedIn user:

• Expect an increase in spam email.
• Never follow a link to a website from an unsolicited email. If you receive an email asking you to change your LinkedIn password, supposedly from LinkedIn, do not click on the hyperlink. Instead, go to the LinkedIn website and change your details form there.

More information is available on the LinkedIn official blog and the BBC website.