Googling to find out news about your favorite comedian or singer may come with a price, according to the latest survey from Intel Security.
Cybercriminals frequently use the public’s fascination with celebrity news to entice unsuspecting users to visit sites loaded with malware that can steal passwords and personal information. According to the 10th annual McAfee Most Dangerous Celebrities, well-known comedian Amy Schumer tops the list this year.
Amy Schumer tops the list as the most popular celebrity cybercriminals use to access personal information. Source: Intel Security The “Trainwreck” star is the first female comedian to take the number 1 spot on the list, followed by singer Justin Bieber and host Carson Daly. Other comedians on the list include Chris Hardwick at number 7, Daniel Tosh at number 8, Nikki Glaser at number 15 and Kevin Hart at number 25.
Intel Security says that a search for “Amy Schumer Torrent” results in a 33% chance of connecting to a malicious website. The rise in Schumer's popularity follows the trend of consumers looking to cut the cord and move away from cable TV and into streaming videos, TV shows and movies online.
“Consumers today remain fascinated with celebrity culture and go online to find the latest pop culture news,” says Gary Davis, chief consumer security evangelist at Intel Security. “With this craving for real-time information, many search and click without considering potential security risks. Cybercriminals know this and take advantage of this behavior by attempting to lead them to unsafe sites loaded with malware. As a result, consumers need to understand what precautions to take to enable safe online experiences.”
Singers were among the most risky celebrities. In addition to Justin Bieber, singer Rihanna came in at number 5, Miley Cyrus at number 6, Selena Gomez at number 9 and Kesha at number 10. Drake, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea also made it into the Top 20 risky online searches.
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