Online Celebrity Searches that Could Land You in Hot Water
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Safety Tips
- Beware of clicking on third-party links. You should access content directly from official websites of content providers. For example, visit reputable site ComedyCentral.com to find Amy Schumer’s latest episodes.
- Use web protection that will notify you of risky sites or links before you visit them and it’s too late. Stick to official news sites for breaking news.
- Only download videos from well-known, legitimate sites. This should be common sense, but it bears repeating: don’t download anything from a website you don’t trust — especially video. Most news clips you’d want to see can easily be found on official video sites and don’t require you to download anything.
- Use caution when searching for “HD downloads.” This term is by far the highest virus-prone search term. Consumers searching for videos or files to download should be careful as not to unleash unsafe content such as malware onto their computers.
- Always use password protection on all mobile devices. If you don’t and your phone is lost or stolen, anyone who picks up the device could have access to your personal information online.
- Don’t “log in” or provide other information. If you receive a message, text or email or visit a third-party website that asks for your information — including your credit card, email, home address, Facebook login — to grant access to an exclusive story, don’t give it out. Such requests are a common tactic for phishing that could lead to identity theft.
- Search online using a tool that protects users from malicious websites and browser exploits. A complimentary version of the software can be downloaded at www.mcafee.com/mcafeewebadvisor.
Wanting to know the latest dish on your favorite celebrity can be a pretty big lure. Do a quick search and -- boom -- tons of links with the latest news, gossip and goings on. Unfortunately, cyber criminals are well aware of our love for all things celebrity and are more than happy to set up malicious sites that will further their cause, whether it is to spread malware or find an access point to an otherwise well-secured enterprise network.
Intel Security recently released its list of the top 10 most dangerous cyber celebrities for 2015. This year, electronic dance music (EDM) DJ Armin Van Buuren replaced Jimmy Kimmel as the no. 1 most dangerous online celebrity. Their research found that clicking on results generated by searching for “Armin van Buuren” combined with the terms "free MP4,” “HD downloads,” or “torrent” yields almost a 1 in 5 chance of landing on a website that has tested positive for online threats, such as spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses and other malware.
To protect critical business assets, it's important to educate users about the dangers of online searches, especially for celebrities, and provide them with tips on how to better protect themselves and the company. In this slideshow, we've featured Intel Security's 10 most dangerous celebrities as well as tips on how users can better protect themselves.
Related Topics : Unisys, Stimulus Package, Security Breaches, Symantec, Electronic Surveillance
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