Google Jessica Biel at your own risk – spyware and viruses galore
We’re currently living in a celebrity-obsessed age where us ordinary, unknown folk look up to anyone with a little bit of fame. There are also more celebrities than ever before thanks to reality TV and new chances for infamy online. But searching for these celebs on the Web can be a dangerous business. Google ‘Jessica Biel’ at your own risk because there’s a high probability of finding something altogether less pleasant.
Some people are absolutely obsessed with celebrities, wanting to know what certain people had for breakfast or how often they visit the bathroom. Even those of us slightly less bothered by the cult of fame can find ourselves interested. Take Michael Jackson for example; his death at least piqued the interest of most people in the world.
The problem is that cyber-criminals know we’re obsessed and so will use the lure of celebrities to spread their wares, whether it be spyware, malware, viruses, spam, or phishing attempts.
McAfee has compiled a list of the most risky celebrities to search for online for the past three years. Brad Pitt won the award in 2007, while Paris Hilton nabbed the dubious honor last year. According to Reuters, 2009 has seen a new celeb take the top spot. Her name is Jessica Biel and while she may be gorgeous to look at, she is a dangerous target for your affections.
McAfee’s Jeff Green explained the problem:
Cyber-criminals are star watchers too – they latch onto popular celebrities to encourage the download of malicious software in disguise. Consumers’ obsession with celebrity news and culture is harmless in theory, but one bad download can cause a lot of damage to a computer.
Searching for Jessica Biel means you have a five-in-one chance of coming up against an online threat, with sites offering free wallpapers and screensavers the most obvious to avoid.
Beyonce came second in the list, with a search for ‘Beyonce Ringtones’ a particular threat. Former Friends actress Jennifer Aniston was third, with Miley Cyrus, Ashley Tisdale, Megan Fox, Angelina Jolie, and Lindsay Lohan also being famous females making the list.
The advice is simple: make sure you have anti-virus and anti-malware software installed on your computer, and that it’s up to date. And then be very careful when visiting Web sites you have never visited before. A little common sense can go a very long way in helping keep you safe and secure online.
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