MARKHAM, ON – June 18, 2010 – Canadian rock/metal band Three Days Grace is the most dangerous 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards nominee to search for in cyberspace, according to Internet security company McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE). McAfee researched today’s finest musical talents to reveal the riskiest 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards-Nominated Artists. The latest McAfee research found that searches for teen sensation, Justin Bieber pose less threats compared to others.
Fans searching for “Three Days Grace” or Three Days Grace-related downloads, wallpaper, screen savers, photos and videos have a higher chance of landing at a Web site that’s tested positive for online threats, such as spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses and other malware. Searching for the latest music artist news and downloads can cause serious damage to one’s personal computer.
The MuchMusic Video Awards air Sunday, June 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET on MuchMusic. Cybercriminals are using popular music icons’ names and images, like Beyoncé, Jason Derulo, Alicia Keys, Katy Perry and Adam Lambert, to lure surfers searching for the latest stories, screen savers and ringtones to sites offering free downloads laden with malware.
Who’s Number Two? Beyoncé
Award-winning American R&B recording artist is the second most dangerous 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards nominee.
Who’s Safer? Justin Bieber, Jay-Z and Miley Cirus
Sixteen-year-old Canadian soul-singing phenomenon, Justin Bieber, who’s touted as the world’s biggest pop star, is one of the safer nominees to search, among the risky celebrities. Jay-Z, one of the world’s most successful hip-hop artists, and American pop singer and actress, Miley Cyrus also ranked in the bottom-third of this year’s results.
McAfee compiled the list using the McAfee® SiteAdvisor® technology, of 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards nominee names that produce the largest number of risky sites and overall risk percentage when searched for on the Web. The top ten nominees include:
| Position | 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards Nominees |
|
1 |
Three Days Grace – The popular Canadian rock band is an easy target for spammers and hackers. When “Three Days Grace screensaver” was searched, almost half of the Web sites were identified as containing malicious downloads with spyware, adware and potential viruses. |
|
2 |
Beyoncé – R&B singing sensation, Beyoncé, should be Googled with caution. Inputting “Beyoncé downloads” into search engines yielded numerous dangerous Web sites linking to adware and spyware. |
|
3 |
Katy Perry – Nominated for International Video of the Year artist, for her song “Waking Up In Vegas,” Katy Perry is a target for cybercriminals. Searching for “Katy Perry screensaver” linked to many harmful sites proven to contain spyware. |
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4 |
Alicia Keys – The award-winning R&B singer attracts many fans who want to download a screensaver of her. A search for “Alicia Keys screensaver” can direct users to red-rated sites that breached browser security. |
|
5 |
Jason Derulo – American singer-songwriter, Jason Derulo, whose video for the song “Whatcha Say” is nominated for an Award, is susceptible to Internet lurkers too. Sites that were searched for “Jason Derulo downloads” contained nasty viruses. |
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6, 7 |
Avril Lavigne & Lil’ Wayne – Singer-songwriter from Napanee, Ontario, Avril Lavigne, and American rapper, Lil’ Wayne, tied in sixth place. |
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8 |
Adam Lambert – Pop singer and American Idol runner-up, Adam Lambert, now attracts many fans looking to download his songs, but can mislead unsuspecting surfers to sites with potentially damaging downloads. |
|
9 |
Rihanna – Barbadian R&B recording artist, Rihanna, is a popular target for cybercriminals. A search for “Rihanna wallpaper” generated numerous downloads veiled with malware. |
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10 |
Trey Songz – American recording artist, nominated for his song “Successful” – a collaboration with one of hip hop’s most sought-after artists, Canadian rapper Drake, has a massive fan base. Searching for "Trey Songz downloads" resulted in several dangerous Web sites laden with hidden adware. |
“Cybercriminals watch stars too – they follow popular celebs to encourage the download of malicious software in disguise,” said Ross Allen, Canadian general manager at McAfee. “The fan’s obsession with music artist news, while theoretically harmless, can result in lots of computer damage at a mouse click.”
Be sure to buy comprehensive security software, such as: McAfee® Total Protection, McAfee® Internet Security and McAfee® Antivirus Plus and keep your subscriptions current. In each McAfee software suites, consumers can practice safe surfing with McAfee SiteAdvisor technology, which uses intuitive red, yellow and green rating icons to communicate a Web site’s safety level before the site is even accessed.
McAfee SiteAdvisor technology
McAfee SiteAdvisor technology tests and rates, on an ongoing basis, nearly every trafficked site on the Internet. SiteAdvisor site ratings are created by using patented advanced technology to conduct automated Web site tests. McAfee SiteAdvisor software can be downloaded quickly and for free at www.mcafee.com/siteadvisor. McAfee SiteAdvisor software works with Internet Explorer and with both Mac and Windows version of Firefox.
SiteAdvisor software has received numerous honors, including: five-star reviews from CNET’s download.com, Time Magazine’s “50 Coolest Web Sites,” Popular Science’s “Best of What’s New” and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s “Recognition of Excellence in Innovation” honor.
McAfee Total Protection software
McAfee Total Protection software includes substantially more features than competitive consumer security software suites. Critical protection from phishing, viruses and spyware is provided, and built-in Web site safety ratings help consumers surf and shop safely. McAfee Total Protection software offers the ability to protect sensitive identity information, back-up data, and detect intruders on the family’s home network.
