The cybercrime researchers at Norton have been monitoring the anticipated increase in poisoned search terms as the date of the British royal wedding nears. What began as a few dangerous search terms is now a lengthy list of innocent searches for wedding related news that might land you, your computer and your private information in the hands of a cybercriminal.
To illustrate the point, I did an online search for information about a TV film about the royal couple. Here in this image you’ll see several top 10 search results where Norton’s Site Safety (a feature added to search results for users of Norton security suites) has rated them as dangerous by adding the red exclamation mark. If you click on the icon you can read the Norton Safe Web security report and see specifics on the malware or other harm that would hit you if you clicked on the site’s link.
Other terms that lead to a significant number of dangerous sites include “wedding guest list”, “Princess Diana facts or quotes” and other seemingly harmless topics.
Be sure to stick to known and credible news sites for your royal wedding details. Avoid clicking links in search results that may take you to dark internet alleys where your computer might get mugged. And keep your internet security software (like Norton) up-to-date to keep you safe no matter how early you get up to watch the processional in Westminster Abbey or how late you stay up to order your wedding-related merchandise.