Orange County Register

Anti-spyware experts McAfee just released its second annual list of  Most Dangerous Celebrities Online.  In the number one spot: Brad Pitt.

How did the Santa Clara company create the list? It used data from its SiteAdvisor service to determine suspicious Web sites that force unsuspecting consumers to download spyware or adware to their computer. Out of those, McAfee counted up the top 15 celebrities.

It makes sense that malicious software coders would use some of the biggest names in Hollywood to lure people to Web sites for pictures, screensavers and ringtones with a little something extra. More than half of the searches for “Brad Pitt screensavers,” for example, were identified by McAfee as containing malicious downloads with spyware. adware and potential viruses.

“Checking in on our famous friends is not only a guilty pleasure, but downright dangerous. Cybercrooks are using A-listers’ name and image to infiltrate PCs and make money with spyware, adware and spam and even gather information to commit Identity theft,” said the company.

Missing this year: Paris Hilton, who ranked #1 in 2007, and Britney Spears, who had been fourth on the list. I guess celebs are just like the latest fashion — in one year, out the other. Without further ado…

The 15 most dangerous celebrities online:

1. Brad Pitt
2. Beyoncé
3. Justin Timberlake
4. Heidi Montag, star of “The Hills”
5. Mariah Carey
6. Jessica Alba
7. Lindsay Lohan
8. Cameron Diaz
9. George Clooney, Rihanna
11. Angelina Jolie
12. Fergie
13. David Beckham, Katie Holmes
15. Katherine Heigl

For last year’s list, see below the jump.

McAfee Tips: How to avoid getting burned by online?

1. Don’t open e-mail attachments from an unfamiliar source or if it has a questionable subject line.

2. Don’t open e-mail attachment from people you know until you confirm they actually sent it.

3. Delete chain e-mails and please don’t forward them.

4. Make sure site is legitimate and reputable before downloading files.Read the privacy policy or user agreement.

5. Scan all downloads for viruses and spyware with anti-virus software. Make sure you update the anti-virus software often.

6. Don’t open messages or click on links from unknown users in your intstant messaging program.

7. Use a personal firewall.

8. Check personal accounts and credit reports regularly, in case someone has stolen your identity and is racking up charges.

McAfee’s Most Dangerous Celebrties Online 2007:

1. Paris Hilton
2. Amy Winehouse
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
4. Britney Spears
5. Heidi Klum
6. Pete Doherty, Valentino Rossi
7. José Mourinho
8. Madeleine Bernadotte (Royal Princess in Sweden)
9. Charlize Theron, Elisabetta Canalis, Nicolas Sarkozy
10. Antonio Banderas

The company’s SiteAdvisor tool tests and tracks “nearly every trafficked site on the Internet.” It can be added downloaded for free at www.mcafee.com/siteadvisor.

Recent celebrity/Hollywood news:

• Makeup queen Bobbi Brown waffles on plastic surgery
• Docs welcome help in picking best breast implant size
• Olivia Wilde of ‘House’ has a bit of plastic-surgery expertise
• Newly engaged Jennifer Hudson: No plastic surgery
• Project Runway’ preview: Tie-ins and taste questions
• ‘Biggest Loser’ returns tonight
• Poll: Who wins tonight’s ‘Big Brother’ finale?
• ‘¡Ask A Mexican!’ author Gustavo Arellano publishes new book
• ‘Project Runway’ designers show their stuff

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