Beware when you search for these celebs online

USA Today

August 25, 2009 by USA Today

0 votes
To view this presentation, you need to install the Flash plug-in GET IT NOW
NEW YORK (AP) — Jessica Biel is the most dangerous celebrity on the Web.

Security technology company McAfee Inc. on Tuesday reported that searches for the 27-year-old actress are more likely to lead to online threats such as spyware and viruses than searches for any other celebrity.

McAfee said fans searching for the actress have a one-in-five chance of ending up at a website designed to damage one's computer. Its the third annual report on the subject from McAfee, which last year found that Brad Pitt was the "most dangerous" celeb online.

"Cybercriminals are star watchers, too," said Jeff Green, senior vice president of McAfee's product development. "They latch onto popular celebrities to encourage the download of malicious software in disguise."

Following Biel in the report, in order, were Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston, Tom Brady and Jessica Simpson. McAfee noted President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are curiously safe searches, ranking no. 34 and no. 39, respectively.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
E-mail | Save | Print | To report corrections and clarifications, contact Reader Editor Brent Jones. For publication consideration in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and state for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections.usatoday.com.
Guidelines: You share in the USA TODAY community, so please keep your comments smart and civil. Don't attack other readers personally, and keep your language decent. Use the "Report Abuse" button to make a difference. Read more.

Forums: Entertainment, Celebrities

Tags: 

michelle obama, jessica biel, jennifer aniston, tom brady, x97, cybercriminals, jeff green, senior vice president, associated press, malicious software, flash plug, security technology, web security, style type, text decoration, jessica simpson, technology company, first lady, Widgets, Brad Pitt

Follow this thread

0 comments

or register to leave a comment.

Logo_colophon

© 2009 Star Media
All rights reserved.

Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, updated December 2008.