McAfee's Hacker Hot List: Orry, Diljit, and Alia among most exploited

In an alarming revelation, global online protection company McAfee has released its annual Celebrity Hacker Hot List 2024, showcasing the Indian celebrities whose names are most frequently leveraged by cybercriminals to perpetrate online scams. Topping this year's list is Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry, followed closely by renowned singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh, and leading actress Alia Bhatt.

This study marks an evolution from McAfee’s 16-year tradition of spotlighting the most frequently searched celebrity names that lead to malware and risky online behavior. With the rise of generative AI and deepfake technology, the threat landscape has expanded, providing cybercriminals with new tools to create unauthorized clips and deceptive content aimed at scamming unsuspecting consumers, while simultaneously damaging the reputations of the celebrities involved.

Orry’s rapid ascent in popularity, marked by associations with high-profile figures and a significant increase in online content, has made him a prime target for exploitation. Cybercriminals often seize the moment when new public figures emerge, taking advantage of the unverified buzz surrounding them to lure consumers searching for updates.

Following Orry on the list, Diljit Dosanjh finds himself amid ticketing scams connected to his upcoming 'Dil-Luminati' concert tour. Large events frequently attract overwhelming fan interest, resulting in a surge in search volume that can lead to fraudulent ticket sales, phishing schemes, and bogus resale sites.

The issue of misinformation is exacerbated by the proliferation of deepfake technology. Alia Bhatt has experienced multiple deepfake incidents, while actors like Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan have been misrepresented endorsing political parties through misleading election-related content. Similarly, personalities like Virat Kohli and Shahrukh Khan have found themselves featured in deceptive deepfake advertisements for betting apps. These scams often utilize tactics such as malicious URLs and AI-generated media to exploit fans’ curiosity, leading to financial losses and eroding consumer trust in their favorite stars.

“It’s easy for individuals to fall into the trap of clicking on malicious links, often misled by clickbait content promising free tickets or exclusive downloads—especially when it features a celebrity’s likeness,” warns Vonny Gamot, McAfee’s Head of EMEA. “Imagine a world where your favorite celebrity appears in an advertisement they’ve never filmed, or a politician gives a speech they never delivered. This is the reality we face today. While some deepfakes may seem harmless, others can spread misinformation, influence public opinion, and scam consumers. If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. Staying vigilant is crucial for protecting one’s online privacy and identity.”

Earlier this year, a McAfee survey indicated that 80% of Indians are more concerned about deepfakes than they were a year ago, with 64% stating that AI has complicated their ability to identify online scams. A staggering 75% of respondents reported encountering deepfake content, 38% have fallen victim to deepfake scams, and 18% confirmed they suffered financial losses as a result. Among those impacted, 57% mistook deepfake content for authentic media, with 31% experiencing financial repercussions. Of those who were victims of voice cloning or AI scams, 64% lost money, with 43% reporting losses exceeding ₹40,000 and 10% losing over ₹800,000.

The Celebrity Hacker Hot List serves as a critical reminder for consumers to familiarize themselves with how AI scams and deepfakes operate while learning to protect themselves against online threats. McAfee’s Threat Research Labs Team developed this list by identifying high-profile celebrities frequently targeted in malicious activities and scams that utilize deepfake technology, which can lead to unsafe search results and the inadvertent installation of malware, jeopardizing data and privacy.

Consumer Safety Tips

To safeguard against these threats, McAfee encourages consumers to practice the following safe online behaviors:

• Be Careful What You Click: Exercise caution when clicking links for concert tickets, celebrity gossip, or movie reviews, ensuring they originate from reliable sources.
• Avoid Illegal Streaming: Use legitimate streaming platforms for music and movies, as illegal downloads often harbor malware.
• Download from Trusted Sites: Be wary of downloading videos or files from untrusted websites, even if they claim to feature personalized messages from celebrities.
• Protect Personal Information: Never provide sensitive information to third-party sites or through unsolicited messages, as these are common phishing tactics.
• Invest in Comprehensive Online Protection: Utilize services like McAfee® Total Protection to safeguard identity, privacy, and devices against potential threats.
• Scrutinize Social Media Content: With a majority of users finding it difficult to discern AI-generated content, it’s vital to validate extraordinary claims and avoid sharing unverified information.
• Stay Cautious of Deepfakes: Watch for inconsistencies in deepfake videos, such as unnatural movements or mismatched audio and visuals.

By remaining informed and vigilant, consumers can help protect themselves and their personal information in an increasingly digital world.