When one goes looking for news on a favorite celebrity using the wired or wireless Internet, getting a virus is usually not the desired result. That is just what searching for celebrities like Cameron Diaz online using mobile Internet laptops or desktops with Web access might get you, reports computer security company McAfee. Ms. Diaz sits atop this year’s McAfee list of “most dangerous celebrities to search for” on the mobile or wired Web.
Searching for pictures and downloads of the well-known actress “yields a ten percent chance of landing on a website that’s tested positive for online threats such as spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses and other malware,” reports McAfee. Other celebrities who present search risks include Jessica Biel, Julia Roberts, Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Love Hewitt. Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Anna Paquin, and Heidi Klum are also on the “most dangerous” list.
McAfee reports that cyber criminals target websites of the celebrities who are considered most popular. They are getting better at what they do, using more sophisticated means to hide their computer threats, reports the company. Actions that are particularly risky are photo and screen saver downloads using wired or wireless Internet connections. Computer users should always have virus protection software enabled and never download anything from an untrusted source.
Some unknowing individuals may have already searched for one of these celebrities and gotten a computer virus or malware. In this case, they should purchase virus protection software, which will attempt to remove the item. If the software cannot be installed because the virus or malware is preventing it, a professional may need to be consulted.
Becoming a victim to adware, spam, spyware, and phishing can happen without a user even being aware. Many protection programs block these items so when shopping for software, find out whether these features are included. It is better to be safe and spend the extra money on the software than spend a lot more money later attempting to get the malicious item removed from the computer.
Source: Bay Area News Group. MercuryNews.com. Cameron Diaz tops list of dangerous Internet searches.
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