Cybercriminals use celebrity names to lure victims

September 17 12:05:01 PM, Yahoo News

Reuters - Looking for information about Brad Pitt or Beyonce on the Web? It could be risky.

An internet security firm has dubbed the actor and singer the most dangerous celebrities to search for on the Internet because cybercriminals use their names to lure victims.

California-based McAfee Inc. said fans searching for information and pictures of Pitt, or downloads, wallpaper and screen savers, have an 18 percent chance of having their PCs infected with a virus, spyware, spam, phishing and adware.

"Cybercriminals employ numerous methods, yet one of the simplest but most effective ways is to trick consumers into infecting themselves by capitalizing on Americans' interest in celebrity gossip," explained Jeff Green, senior vice president of McAfee's Product Development & Avert Labs.

"Tapping into current events, pop culture or commonly browsed sites is an easy way to achieve this," he added in a statement.

Web surfers looking for celebrity gossip, screen savers and ringtones are often directed to fake Internet sites that look legitimate but pose a risk to the security of their computers, according to the company.

Pitt and singer Justin Timberlake are the most dangerous men to search for on the Internet, while Beyonce and Heidi Montag, the star of the reality television show "The Hills," top the list for women.

Other celebrities on McAfee's most dangerous list include singers Mariah Carey, Rihanna and Fergie and film stars Angelina Jolie, Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz and George Clooney.

Green said Americans' obsession with following celebrities' lifestyles make them obvious targets.

"We have to take precautions in casually navigating the Web since many subtle sites may be rife with malware for consumers' computers," he said, referring to software designed to infiltrate computer software without the consent of the owner.

Malware includes viruses, worms and spyware, which are computer programs that report back to a third party a user's activity and Web-surfing habits.

The reasons for planting spyware range from simple marketing purposes to more serious things like stealing files or passwords used to access sensitive financial information.

Celebrity searchers can also be used for phishing, an attempt to get sensitive information by masquerading as an entity that is known to be reputable.

Searches for soccer star David Beckham and actresses Katie Holmes, Lindsay Lohan and Katherine Heigl are also risky and have a good chance of infecting computers, the company said.

Source

Album review: Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy'
The anticipated release is more like a rock opera than an arena-oriented assault.
'America's Next Top Model': McKey Sullivan wins
The leggy Illinios native strutted her way to victory.
Madonna, Ritchie granted preliminary divorce
AP - The show-business marriage that began in a Scottish castle came to an end in a drab London courtroom Friday as Madonna and Guy Ritchie were granted a preliminary decree of divorce.
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Pete Wentz have baby boy
AP - Ashlee Simpson-Wentz and Pete Wentz are the proud parents of a baby boy, and they're celebrating with some Bronx cheer.
Madonna, Ritchie granted preliminary divorce
AP - The show-business marriage that began in a Scottish castle came to an end in a drab London courtroom Friday as Madonna and Guy Ritchie were granted a preliminary decree of divorce.
Kanye West's latest sure to alienate fans
'American Idol' Daily: Idols everywhere
After a momentous few days in the history of Idol Nation, the news front fell relatively quiet.
'Pushing Daisies,' 'Easy Money,' 'Eli Stone' and others axed
Ann Landers play headed to New York
Teen wins 'Twilight' car on 'Tyra Banks Show'
AP - Sometimes it pays to have your heart broken.
'Bolt' a dog of a comedy
Rating: 1 1/2 stars (poor-fair) Michael Phillips: "It's a seriously withholding action comedy, stingy on the…
Did Reese and Vince battle on 'Four Christmases'?
Rumors of the screen couples' troubles are put to rest.
Indie band: 'We've done nothing right'
Madonna, Guy Granted Quickie Divorce
E! Online - On the off chance she wasn't already, Madonna was just given carte blanche-by the British courts, if not her now ex-hubby-to pursue Alex Rodriguez as blatantly as she wants.
Sienna Miller wins damages from photo agency
AP - British actress Sienna Miller has won 53,000 pounds ($79,000) from a photo agency she was suing on grounds of harassment.
Showbiz bulls still abound in battered market
Reuters - As markets plunged again Thursday, some Wall Street experts were telling about 400 television executives that they are bullish on the entertainment industry.
Hugh Jackman named 'Sexiest Man Alive'
NEW YORK (AP) _ Hugh Jackman says wife Deborra-Lee Furness teased him after finding out he'd been named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive."
John Mayer Meets Jennifer Aniston's Dad?
E! Online - Sounds like things are getting serious between Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer.
Madonna, Ritchie on London divorce docket Friday
AP - A judge will likely grant Madonna and Guy Ritchie an initial divorce decree on Friday, according to the schedule for London's High Court.
"Twilight" publisher sees film boosting book sales
Reuters - Described in publishing circles as America's answer to Harry Potter, the teen-age vampires of "Twilight" may reach a wider audience when the movie of the book comes out on Friday with the publisher…
Winona Ryder briefly hospitalized
LONDON (AP) _ Winona Ryder was briefly hospitalized after falling ill on a flight to London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday, her publicist said. Mara Buxbaum said the 37-year-old actress was taken to a…
Guns N' Roses' 'Chinese Democracy': Appetite for excess
Ladies of 'The View' fire back at Rosie O Donnell
Barbara Walters had some very pointed words on "The View" today.
Teller speaks!
Half of the Las Vegas duo Penn & Teller on "The Red Ball."