Avoiding Malicious Websites

There are millions of websites on the internet. Several million of those websites contain malicious software or malicious code. A recent release from Security firm McAfee states that 20 percent of web searches for actress Jessica Biel turned up as malicious websites. When a search for “Jessica Biel Screensaver” was made, almost half of the results were identified as containing malicious software.

Every day people are scouring the internet for news and information about their favorite actors, actresses, and other high profile names. Hackers and spammers use this phenomenon to their advantage, creating malicious websites and selling allegedly legitimate ringtones and screensavers, even wallpapers that contain malicious software hidden within them.  Their purpose is to either steal your data, or fool you into giving up your money for something that isn’t real.  Consumer Reports “State of the Net 2009” report shows that 1 in 90 people lose money to a scam, hoax or malicious software.

Unfortunately, the problem will continue to get worse. Spammers, hackers and scammers evolve and learn new ways to lure people into their scam, and find new ways to get around traditional security.  Many sites are created by cybercriminals that have malicious software hard coded into them.  This malicious software can use security exploits within your browser to gain access to your computer and install rogue software, inject viruses, and steal information from your hard drive.  Even the most recent news, the death of Michael Jackson was immediately put into use with an e-mail entitled “The last work of Michael Jackson”.  Users who clicked the YouTube link in the e-mail were infected with a malicious program that stole their passwords.

Avoiding these websites can be tricky, as many are well made and seem to be legitimate. Though your search is not dangerous, the results of clicking on a web link or downloading software from these sites can have devastating effects on your computer system. Well known celebrities are a target for hackers and spammers. McAfee provides a free service called Site Advisor. This tool can help determine if the site you wish to view is potentially dangerous.

The message here is that you should keep your antivirus/antispyware software completely up to date, and fully running at all times. Even the most innocent of searches on the internet can turn into a nightmare of malicious software, viruses and other suspicious content.  Use McAfee’s Site Advisor to your advantage. If a site seems to be a little off, or is attempting to execute code via your browser, or asking you to download codec to view content, you probably should leave immediately.

For now, feel free to check out our reviews of the best antivirus software, or some virus-free info on Jessica Biel.