What — Brad Pitt makes the list, but not Robert Pattinson? And Cameron Diaz rules it, but there's no Kristen Stewart anywhere to be found? The "list" is McAfee's fourth annual compilation of the "Most dangerous celebrities to search for" on the Internet.
They're dangerous because they're popular, and cyber criminals and mischief makers like to hide malicious software in screensavers, videos or other images that fans might be looking to download from the Web. The bad guys get more bang for their buck by going after big names, and users can get more aggravation than they already have in dealing with computer slow-downs, shutdowns, or worse — identity theft.
While "consumers are getting smarter about searching online ... cybercriminals are getting sneakier in their techniques," said Dave Marcus, security researcher for McAfee Labs in a company press release.
"Now they’re hiding malicious content in 'tiny' places like shortened URLs that can spread virally in social networking sites and Twitter, instead of on websites and downloads.”
McAfee says that searching for the "latest Cameron Diaz pictures and downloads yields a 10 percent chance of landing on a website that’s tested positive for online threats, such as spyware, adware, spam, phishing, viruses and other malware."
The software security company — which Intel said Thursday it plans to buy — issues the annual list to encourage consumers to use its free SiteAdvisor program, which tests and rates "nearly every trafficked site" on the Internet, McAfee says. SiteAdvisor works with Internet Explorer and Firefox Web browsers.
Using SiteAdvisor, McAfee says these are the top celebs from this year's study "with the highest percentages of risk" when it comes to downloading free photos and videos:
1. Cameron Diaz: Searching for the "Shrek" and "Knight and Day" co-star results in a "one in 10 chance of landing on a risky site," McAfee says. "When 'Cameron Diaz and screensavers' was searched, 19 percent of the sites were identified as containing malicious downloads."
2. Julia Roberts: "The overall risk of searching for Roberts is 9 percent, yet searching for 'Julia Roberts and downloads' results in a 20 percent chance of downloading a photo, wallpaper or other file laden with malware."
3. Jessica Biel: She was last year's "most dangerous celeb," but continues to be in the spotlight because of her "on-again, off-again relationship with Justin Timberlake," McAfee says. "Searching for 'Jessica Biel and screensavers' results in a 17 percent chance of landing on a risky site."
4. Gisele Bündchen: The supermodel was on last year's list also, and looking for "Gisele Bündchen and screensavers" yields a 15 percent chance that search results will "put spyware, malware or viruses on your computer."
5. Brad Pitt: He's the highest-ranking guy on the list — no Pattinson from "Twilight" (or
"Twilight" co-star Stewart among the females, either).
6. Adriana Lima: "Searching for downloads of this Brazilian beauty can direct users to red-ranked sites. Lima is best known for being a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2000."
7. Jennifer Love Hewitt and Nicole Kidman: A tie here: "Searching for these Hollywood starlets resulted in an equal number of risky download websites."
8. Tom Cruise: "With recent buzz around his MTV Awards performance as well as his movie, 'Knight and Day,' Cruise rises to the top 10."
9. Heidi Klum and Penelope Cruz: Another tie: "Both of these ladies are consistently in the spotlight, and share the #9 spot."
10. Anna Paquin: The "True Blood" star is "as dangerous on the Web as she is on the screen," McAfee says. "Searching for screensavers of Paquin can lead you to downloads filled with malware."
Wanna see how they compared to last year's "winners"? Check this list.