Be careful who you Google, kids!
On Tuesday, Intel Security released this year’s list of the Most Dangerous Cyber Celebrities — but don’t panic, Perezcious readers! It’s not the stars themselves you need to be worried about, just be wary when you look up their names on the internet.
The software company revealed the top ten contains pop powers like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and Lorde, as well as other artists including Jay Z, Usher, and Luke Bryan.
A cyber safety expert with the security giant says musicians create such potentially harmful search results because web surfers looking for free downloads are fairly easy targets:
“Celebrity names combined with the terms ‘free MP4,’ ‘HD downloads,’ or ‘torrent’ are some of the most searched terms on the Web. When consumers search for music that is not made available through legitimate channels, they put both their digital lives and devices at risk.”
Also gracing the top ten are funny ladies Betty White, Amy Schumer, and actress Nina Dobrev.
The official claims that cybercriminals target the biggest names and high-profile stories in pop culture to try to trick internet users into clicking on links that could steal their passwords and personal information:
“With today’s busy culture and a desire for real time information, consumers often click on sites that will quickly provide them with news and entertainment, without considering safety and security implications. Cybercriminals leverage this need for immediacy by encouraging people to visit unsafe sites that can steal private data.”
Yikes!
But who does Intel say is the most dangerous person to search? Well it’s actually…
EDM DJ Armin van Buuren!
The 38-year-old dethroned Jimmy Kimmel — who now sits at number 26 — as the least safe celeb to Google (or Bing, your choice)!
In the nine years the company has conducted this research, this is the first time a DJ claimed the top spot.
According to the findings, almost one in five of the Dutch producer’s search results lead to harmful sites! Those aren’t great statistics!
And believe it or not, this is only the third time a man was listed as number one. Aside from Armin and Jimmy, Brad Pitt filled the top slot back in 2008.
That just goes to show that trying to download music illegally really can hurt you! Especially if you take into consideration that fifteen of the top twenty spots are held by recording artists!
Take a look at the top ten (below)!
1. Armin van Buuren 17.92%
2. Luke Bryan 17.64%
3. Usher 16.67%
4. Britney Spears 16.39%
5. Jay Z 15.83%
6. Katy Perry 14.86%
7. Amy Schumer 14.72%
8. Betty White 14.03%
9. Lorde 13.61%
10. Nina Dobrev 13.19%
Surf the World Wide Web with caution, you guys!
[Image via Apega/Will Alexander/Joel Ginsburg/WENN.]
Related Posts
