Beware of Katrina & Shahid

Do you know that doing a harmless online search on your favourite Bollywood actress like Katrina Kaif can land you in trouble?. Chances are that a web search for the actress could infect your computer with a virus. In a recent report, McAfee has revealed Web search terms that put users most at risk for accidentally downloading unwanted or malicious software. The report, titled The Web's Most Dangerous Search Terms, reveals that the researchers analyzed over 2,600 of the most popular search terms of 2008 from a range of sources, including the Google Zeitgeist and the Yahoo. Here are the India’s top ten dangerous search terms in web.

One of the largest Mobile Java Games sites Waptrick is the most dangerous search term in India. According to McAfee the search term has a maximum risk percentage of 30.09 per cent. The `maximum risk' here refers to the maximum percentage of risky sites a user might encounter on a single page of search results. From Waptrick site users can download free content specifically customized for phones. This includes music, ringtones, wallpapers, animations, logos and adult videos.

The second most dangerous search term in India is the Bollywood's current heartthrob Katrina Kaif. According to the 'The Web's Most Dangerous Search Terms' report the actress is one of the most dangerous online search words in India and queries related to her name can come up with results linking to malicious software and online scams.The report says the search word Katrina Kaif has a maximum risk percentage of 28.6.

Google's popular social networking site Orkut ranks at no. 3 on the most dangerous Indian search terms list. According to the report, the social networking platform has a maximum risk percentage of 25.96. Over the past few years, Orkut has been several times hit by many scams that compromise the user's computer by downloading malicious malware. In December 2008, Orkut was hit by a Worm that compromised over 400,000 users. According to research reports, Orkut is most popular in Brazil and India.

At no. 4 on the list is Yahoo Mail. According to McAfee report, California-based Yahoo's free email service has a maximum risk percentage of 25.96. McAfee says, "Hackers are most successful when they can attract a large number of victims. One way to target big crowds online is to track current events - everything from celebrity meltdowns and natural disasters to holidays and popular music." One key tool cyber criminals use to snare their victims is to get them to download a computer file or programme that comes with a malicious payload.

Bollywood's lover boy Shahid Kapur may still not be among the most bankable stars in terms of boxoffice performance. However, the chocolate hero, courtesy his huge online fan following, surely seem to be a bankable property for criminals. Shahid ranks at no. 5 in the list. Among the most Googled young actors, Shahid Kapoor beats his rivals Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan in terms of online search. The report says that the term Shahid Kapur has a maximum risk level of 22.2 per cent. The report highlights that celebrities are used by scammers and hackers to lure internet users to download malicious codes. According to the security firm, "Hackers and cyber criminals are often able to persuade searchers to download files carrying malicious software that can cause consumers to expose their personal and financial data."

Free email service Rediffmail is at no. 6 on the list of most dangerous search terms in India. The maximum risk percentage of search term Rediffmail is at 20 per cent, according to McAfee report.

Another dangerous search phrase is: 'How to earn money'. With the global economic crisis leading to huge job losses, the phrase has shot up on Internet searches. The report says that the term has a maximum risk percentage of 16.7. Also, with global economic crisis, the report says many scammers would zero in on growing pool of victims looking for methods. Also, the report highlights that the chance to make good money while you 'work from home' lures many people to their first run in with Internet scammers. During the recession, McAfee has observed a growing number of malicious search results targeted at people who want to save money or earn extra income.

An online search on Telegu actress Namitha Kapoor can be as dangerous as looking for 'How to earn money' ideas. Namitha according to the report has a maximum risk level of 16.7 per cent.The South Indian beauty's growing popularity on the Web is exploited by scammers in luring the Netizens to phishing and other online scams.

Any people may not find Shimla a perfect holiday destination, however, the capital of Himachal Pradesh continues to be the most popular destination, a fact reflected by its online search rating.Shimala continues to be high on search rating charts and with it, its risk level. The term Shimla shares maximum risk percentage of 16.7 along with 'How to earn money' and Namitha Kapoor. According to the MacAfee report, popular places like these are used to lure unsuspecting consumers to websites. Hackers and cyber criminals are often able to persuade searchers to download files carrying malicious software that can cause consumers to expose their personal and financial data.

At no 10 on the list of most dangerous web search terms in India is Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. According to McAfee report, the term has a maximum risk level of 14.3 per cent.
During the games, users were warned of Olympic themed messages as many phishing attacks lured Netizens with messages declaring recipients winners of the Olympic lottery.

Sources – www.indiatimes.com