Facebook users download free apps like kids used to collect baseball trading cards.

But in raking in dozens — if not hundreds — of apps, some consumers may expose themselves to privacy risks. (This entails apps on smartphones and tablets, and those that only run on Facebook. It also includes websites that have Facebook Connect included.)

Every time a user gleefully taps into their Facebook ID and grants permission to use Instagram, Spotify or Angry Birds or CityVille, they’re unaware that social apps linked to their Facebook profile can essentially track data such as location and behavior of them and their friends.

The so-called data halo that has accumulated around people’s online activities is given to every social app the instant they get access to your Facebook ID — regardless of their privacy settings.

Secure.me has a website ((http://www.secure.me) and network (http://apps.secure.me) for the privacy weary. Its App Advisor is designed to safeguard personal information by informing consumers which apps over-collect data.

App Security Network is available. The browser extension is to be launched on Wednesday.