September 16, 2011
Judges
Heidi Klum (right) and Michael Kors watch as a model presents a
creation at the 2012 Project Runway show during New York Fashion Week
September 9, 2011. — Reuters pic
LOS ANGELES, Sept 16 —
Supermodel and TV host Heidi Klum was named yesterday as the most
dangerous celebrity in cyberspace, inviting malware and viruses to
flourish on computers.
Internet security firm McAfee said searching for downloads and
screensavers for the “Project Runaway” judge and former Victoria’s
Secret model runs a nearly one in 10 chance of landing on a malicious
website with spyware, spam, phishing and other viruses designed to steal
personal information.
CNN talk show host Piers Morgan, also a judge on “America’s Got
Talent” and a former British tabloid newspaper editor, was the most
dangerous male celebrity in the survey, produced annually by McAfee.
McAfee said cyber criminals often used the name of popular
celebrities to lure people to websites that are laden with malicious
software.
It said singers and sports stars tended to be safer searches than
movie stars and models. Cameron Diaz topped the cyberspace danger list
in 2010, and was No. 2 this year.
“While slightly safer than last year, searching for top celebrities
continues to generate risky results,” said Paula Greve, director of Web
security research at McAfee.
“Consumers should be particularly aware of malicious content hiding
in ‘tiny’ places likes shortened URLs that can spread virally in social
networking sites, or through e-mails and text messages.”
Making news headlines does not seem to be a factor. Charlie Sheen was
ranked 59 in the 2011 list, despite his acrimonious departure from
television show “Two and A Half Men”, and Lindsay Lohan was 18th despite
being in an out of court and jail again this year. — Reuters
The five most dangerous celebrities in cyberspace, according to McAfee are:
1. Heidi Klum
2. Cameron Diaz
3. Piers Morgan
4. Jessica Biel
5. Katherine Heigl
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