Our guide to avoiding malicious sites when searching for celeb gossip online — plus get a free fiver from our rewards club

SEARCHING for celeb gossip online? Be careful what you click on.

Browsing the web for your favourite stars can expose you to malicious software.

The riskiest star, according to new research out today, is singer Craig David.

A web hunt for the R&B comeback king is more likely to return results for malicious sites than any other name.

That means fans googling the Hidden Agenda hitmaker can be exposed to malware designed to steal their personal information — including any bank details.

One in ten searches for “free Craig David” songs and videos led to criminal sites, an annual poll found.

Other singers on the list, compiled by cyber security firm McAfee, include Emeli Sande, Liam Payne, Adele, Ed Sheeran and Charli XCX.

McAfee’s Nick Viney explains: “Consumers need to be aware of the cybersecurity risks of clicking on links that promise the latest content from celebrities, particularly when they’re offering free content.

“When searching for your favourite content online, slow down and assess the links and sources that are showing up in search results.”

So how can you stay safe and still look for your fave celebs? We teamed up with McAfee for these five simple tips to protect yourself and your money.

1. Be careful what you click. Are you looking for a sneak peek at your favourite artists’ new material? Then stop. It is better to wait for the official release than to visit a third-party website that could contain malware.
2. Beware of free MP3s. Searching for “free MP3” returned the highest number of risky websites across all celebs, so only ever click when you are certain it is safe to do so.
3. Be especially careful when searching for “torrent”. Torrents or BitTorrents are a method of sharing files from person to person — but the ­riskiest search term. Cyber criminals can use torrents to embed malware within authentic files, making it difficult to determine if a file is safe.
   So avoid using torrents, especially if there are legitimate streaming options available.
4. Keep your personal information personal. Have you clicked on a link and received a request to enter information such as your credit card, email, home address, or social media login? Do your research and ensure it is not a “phishing” or scam attempt that could lead to identity theft.
5. Use cross-device protection. Don’t protect just one device — install security software across everything you use, including phones, laptops and tablets. Pick a package that protects against malware, phishing attacks and device-specific protection in the event of loss or theft.

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