Googling Avril Lavigne could make internet users more vulnerable to hacks and scams, a new report has suggested.
The cybersecurity firm McAfee released a report today of the most dangerous celebrities to search for online and the Canadian singer is the top of the list.
McAfee has been releasing this report for the past 11 years documenting which celebs generate the riskiest search results by potentially exposing people to malicious websites.
The chance of landing a suspicious webpage as a result of searching for ‘Avril Lavigne’ is 14.5%, rising to 22% if the search is for ‘Avril Lavigne free mp3’.
It’s thought that Lavigne’s recent announcement that she will be releasing new music for the first time in four years bumped her up to the top spot. She’s been quiet on the scene since contracting Lyme disease in 2014.
The internet conspiracy theory that the 'Sk8er Boi' singer is actually dead and is being impersonated by a doppelganger named Melissa might have also contributed to the results.
Other famous figures on this year’s list include Bruno Mars, Carly Rae Jepsen, Zayn Malik and Celine Dion. Previous lists have flagged Amy Schumer and Emma Watson.
‘In today’s digital world, we want the latest hit albums, videos, movies and more, immediately available on our devices,’ Gary Davis for McAfee told the Guardian.
‘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.’
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.