The antivirus software and computer security company – McAfee has recently released its web research revealing the most dangerous internet search keywords. In its research report – ''The Web's Most Dangerous Search Terms'' – McAfee reveals that the most dangerous internet search keywords, which expose the internet users to the danger of downloading unwanted or malicious software.

The researchers at McAfee studied over 2,600 popular keywords, the most popular search terms of 2008, to determine the degree of risk involved in them. The research conducted by McAfee research analyst Shane Keats and McAfee software development engineer Eipe Koshy, found that cyber criminals/internet hackers/attackers often use popular terms or keywords to entice web users.       

The researchers found that cyber criminals/internet hackers/attackers use these keywords as baits to lure internet users. They usually developed websites based on popular search keywords, and when the web users visit these sites, they unknowingly download malicious program files, which could disclose their personal and financial data.

According to the researchers, often the most dangerous internet search keywords include search terms usually used for free items – music, screensavers, wallpapers – names of the popular celebrities, and search terms for finding work from home or making money online. Screensavers are one of the most dangerous internet search terms – about six out of the top 10 search results for ‘screensavers’ contain malware. The hot keywords like “Viagra” are risky search terms.          

The McAfee report reveals the ten most dangerous internet search keywords in India. The ten most dangerous web search terms in India include –

•    Waptrick
•    Katrina Kaif
•    Orkut
•    Yahoomail
•    Shahid Kapur
•    Rediffmail
•    How to earn money
•    Namitha
•    Shimla
•    Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

“Waptrick,” the website offering free downloads of music, ring tones, wall paper, animations and logos for mobile phones, is the most riskiest search term in India, and “Katrina Kaif,” the Bollywood stunner is the second most dangerous serarch term with risk 28.6 percentage.     

The McAfee report also reveals the ten most dangerous web searches in the United States, which include —

•    Word Unscrambler
•    Lyrics
•    MySpace
•    Free Music Downloads
•    Phelps, Weber-Gale, Jones and Lezak Wins 4x 100m Relay
•    Free Music
•    Game Cheats
•    Printable Fill in Puzzles
•    Free Ringtones
•    Solitaire

(UPDATED) The top ten most dangerous search terms (with chance of finding malware) in Britain are given below –

•    bebo – 33.3 per cent
•    friv – 22.2 per cent
•    hotmail – 20.0 per cent
•    yahoo mail – 20.0 per cent
•    Alistair Darling – 16.7 per cent
•    hot UK deals – 14.3 per cent
•    YouTube – 14.3 per cent
•    Gordon Brown -12.5 per cent
•    iPhone – 12.5 per cent
•    jogos – 3.1 per cent

The McAfee researchers advise the internet users to use the best
computer security tools and update them regularly to stay protected
from the cyber criminals or internet hackers. The researchers also
advise the web users to use safe search tools.