Don't click on Katie Price, warn security experts

 

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Posted on 25 Aug 2009 at 17:10

Katie Price is Britain's most dangerous internet celebrity, according to a new study by security firm McAfee.

The security firm claims one in six searches for the pneumatic model return sites loaded with malware, spyware or viruses, as malware writers attempt to take advantage of users looking for gossip (or more likely, photos) of the former topless model.

Actor and philanderer Jude Law is second on the list, with 15.4% of searches returning something distinctly unlawful. Celebrity stalwarts Kate Moss and Mr and Mrs Beckham complete the top five.

Even royalty aren't immune from the curse of malware: Prince William scrapes in at number 14, with 6.2% of sites linked to the prince returning something unsavoury.

McAfee claims celebrities are ripe targets for malware writers. "Week-in-week-out, we see online scams linked in to dodgy emails, websites and Twitter updates, which are closely linked to the latest celebrity gossip and high-profile news stories," claims Greg Day, the company's principal security analyst.

"A quick flick across the front pages of the latest popular newspapers and magazines offers a fairly reliable snapshot of where the criminals will focus their efforts next."

Britain's most dangerous celebrities

1. Katie Price 16.3% (risk of malware)

2. Jude Law 15.4%

3. Victoria Beckham 13.6%

4. Kate Moss 12.6%

5. David Beckham 12.1%

6. Daniel Radcliffe 12%

7. Kerry Katona 9%

8. Amy Winehouse 8.6%

9. Cheryl Cole 8.5%

10. Leona Lewis 8.3%

11. Daniel Craig 8.1%

12. Lilly Allen 7.4%

13. Sadie Frost 6.7%

= 14. Peter Andre 6.2%

= 14. Prince Harry 6.2%

Author: Barry Collins