Avril Lavigne most 'dangerous' celebrity to search for online

Cybersecurity firm McAfee has released its annual report on the most dangerous celebrities to search for online, with singer Avril Lavigne topping the list.

The report, which “reveals which celebrities generate the riskiest search results that could potentially expose their fans to malicious websites”, is now in its 11th year, with past lists exposing the dangers of searching celebrities such as Amy Schumer and Emma Watson. On this year’s list, Bruno Mars is in second place , followed by Carly Rae Jepsen, Zayn Malik and Celine Dion.

“Cybercriminals continue to use the fascination of consumers with celebrity culture to drive unsuspecting users to potentially malicious websites that can be used to install malware, steal personal information and even passwords,” read a statement from McAfee, whose list also includes data regarding the chances that a search for one of these celebrities will arrive at a suspicious site. Lavigne’s tops the list with a 14.5% risk; that number jumps to 22% when searching the words “Avril Lavigne free mp3”.

“In today’s digital world, we want the latest hit albums, videos, movies and more, immediately available on our devices,” said Gary Davis, McAfee’s chief consumer security evangelist. “Consumers often prioritize their convenience over security by engaging in risky behavior like clicking on suspicious links that promise the latest content from celebrities. It’s imperative that they slow down and consider the risks associated with searching for downloadable content. Thinking before clicking goes a long way to stay safe online.”

Lavigne has been absent from the music scene for four years, having struggled with Lyme disease in 2014. She recently announced on Instagram that she would be releasing new music soon, which may have contributed to an increase in malicious sites associated with a search for her name. McAfee also suggested an internet conspiracy that Lavigne has been replaced by an impostor played a role. She is the first female musician to ever rank first on McAfee’s list.