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Employers are making greater use of the internet to check out potential candidates - and now applicants are beginning to fight back.

Recent research shows that many employers go further than just "googling" potential employees. To root out information, recruiters are now reading applicants' blogs and getting involved in social networking sites such as MySpace.

These sites give them access to your personal information, photographs and even the details of your love life.

However, it seems that more and more of us are realising the pitfalls of the information age.

As reported by Onrec.com, students and other jobseekers are beginning to manage their net identities to protect their employment chances.

Andy Atalla, head of search at PHD Media, said: "Many more advanced internet users are actually creating multiple MySpace sites and multiple web personals under aliases.

"This means they can still swap stories and secrets with friends, but not have to worry that employers might find out more than they bargained for."

The debate regarding internet privacy looks set to heat up. Tom Hadley, director of external relations at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, acknowledged that employers going too far could be accused of discrimination.

He commented: "Seeking… details such as photos of the applicant or information on religious beliefs… could leave you open to claims of discrimination on grounds such as race, age or religious belief."