Orry, Diljit Dosanjh, and a bunch of other celebrities maybe putting your online safety at risk, per a new McAfee report. The online security company, known for antivirus and other related software, has released the “Celebrity Hacker Hot List 2024,” an annual study that sheds light on Indian celebrity names that attract the most cyber threats.
The McAfee study, conducted internally by its “threat intelligence researchers”, suggests that the more viral a celebrity becomes, the more likely their name maybe used by cybercriminals to create fraudulent websites and scams. These online scams are designed to trick unsuspecting users into downloading malware, that could result in data breaches, financial and personal information losses.
Orhan Awatramani tops the list
This year’s McAfee Celebrity Hacker Hot List is topped by Orhan Awatramani, popularly known as Orry. His meteoric rise in popularity, frequent spotting with high-profile celebrities, and the sudden surge in online content featuring him have seemingly made him a prime target for cybercriminals.
Following closely on the list is singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh. His upcoming ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert tour has reportedly been marred by concerns over ticketing scams, with scammers trying to exploit fans’ enthusiasm to attend the event. The study reveals that such large-scale events are often exploited by cybercriminals, using fans’ excitement to trick them into purchasing fake tickets or sharing personal information.
The role of AI and Deepfakes in Cybercrime
The rise of generative AI and deepfakes seems to have made matters worse. Celebrities like Alia Bhatt have been victims of deepfake content, while Ranveer Singh and Aamir Khan have been falsely depicted endorsing political parties through election-related deepfakes. Even Bollywood superstars like Shahrukh Khan and cricketer Virat Kohli have been embroiled in AI-generated content promoting illegal betting apps.
Top Ten on India’s McAfee Hacker Celebrity Hot List
- Orry (Orhan Awatramani)
- Diljit Dosanjh
- Alia Bhatt
- Ranveer Singh
- Virat Kohli
- Sachin Tendulkar
- Shahrukh Khan
- Deepika Padukone
- Aamir Khan
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Scammers try and capitalise on fans’ curiosity by using malicious URLs, phishing emails, and AI-generated videos that mimic celebrities’ appearances and voices. These scams not only dupe people but also damage the reputation of the celebrities involved and hamper consumer trust.
“It’s easy for individuals to fall into the trap of clicking on malicious links, often misled by clickbait content promising free tickets or downloads—especially if it features a celebrity’s likeness,” Vonny Gamot, McAfee’s Head of EMEA said in a prepared statement sent over email. “AI-generated deepfakes use existing content to manipulate faces, voices, and even actions. While some deepfakes are harmless fun, others can spread misinformation, influence elections, damage reputations, or scam consumers.”
Tips for staying safe online
McAfee also shared essential tips for people to protect themselves from online scams:
Always click on links from reliable sources when searching for celebrity content or concert tickets.
Avoid illegal streaming or downloading suspicious files, as they maybe malware in disguise.
Don’t share personal information or login details on unfamiliar websites, a common tactic for phishing scams.
Be cautious of deepfake videos, watching for inconsistencies like odd movements or distorted audio.
If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. To protect oneself and loved one’s online privacy and identity, it’s important to remain vigilant,” Gamot added.
