Think twice before you click on links related to Avril Lavigne online
Links related to Avril Lavigne are some of the most dangerous to click online, making fans of the early-aughts superstar wonder why cybersecurty firm McAfee had to go and make things so complicated. McAfee announced Tuesday that after Lavigne, Bruno Mars is the second most likely celebrity whose name might be used to tempt users to websites that contain viruses or malware, followed by Carly Rae Jepsen, Zayn Malik, Celine Dion, Calvin Harris, Justin Bieber, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Katy Perry, and Beyoncé, The Associated Press reports.
McAfee added that there is a 14.5 percent chance of landing on a "dangerous" webpage if you search for Lavigne, and a 22 percent chance if users are looking for free, downloadable files of her music.
Can McAfee make it any more obvious? Chief consumer security evangelist Gary Davis gave it a go: "In today’s digital world, we want the latest hit albums, videos, movies, and more, immediately available on our devices," Davis said in a statement reported by The Hill. "Consumers often prioritize their convenience over security by engaging in risky behavior like clicking on suspicious links that promise the latest content from celebrities."
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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