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Blog Internet Security Scarlett Johansson Tops McAfee’s 2024 Celebrity Hacker
Hotlist for AI Online Scams


SCARLETT JOHANSSON TOPS MCAFEE’S 2024 CELEBRITY HACKER HOTLIST FOR AI ONLINE
SCAMS



Jasdev Dhaliwal

Oct 07, 2024

7 MIN READ

In today’s digital world, the line between reality and deception has become
increasingly blurred, with cybercriminals leveraging cutting-edge AI
technologies to exploit our trust and interest in celebrities. As we continue to
engage with the internet in unprecedented ways, McAfee’s 2024 Celebrity Hacker
Hotlist sheds light on a growing threat—online scams using the identities of our
favorite stars. 


SCARLETT JOHANSSON LEADS THE LIST OF MOST EXPLOITED CELEBRITY NAMES 

At the forefront of McAfee’s latest list is Scarlett Johansson, a renowned
actress, recognized for her roles in Marvel’s Black Widow and Lost in
Translation. However, this time, Johansson isn’t making headlines for a
movie—she’s ranked as the U.S. celebrity whose name is most frequently used in
online scams. Her likeness has been used in AI-generated deepfakes, from
unauthorized ads to fake endorsements, creating a major risk for unsuspecting
fans. The list doesn’t stop with Johansson. Celebrities like Kylie Jenner,
Taylor Swift, and Tom Hanks also find themselves in the top 10, with hackers
exploiting their images, voices, and reputations to deceive internet users.
Whether it’s for fake giveaways, cryptocurrency scams, tickets to high-demand
concerts, free downloads, or disinformation campaigns, these stars are unwilling
participants in the cybercrime ecosystem. 




MCAFEE’S 2024 HACKER CELEBRITY HOT LIST: TOP TEN  

McAfee’s Threat Research Labs Team compiled the Celebrity Hacker Hotlist by
identifying the celebrities – including social media influencers – whose names
and likenesses are most often exploited to lead consumers to online scams. This
ranges from the purchase of fake goods or services that then steal your money or
bank details to social media or email scams that convince consumers to click a
risky link that unknowingly installs malware. All of these scams jeopardize
consumers’ data, privacy, and identity.  

 



The top ten list includes a combination of longtime talent and more recently
well-known names from various fields, showcasing their potential influence on
consumers of all generations:  

 1.  Scarlett Johansson: Actress and Singer whose name and likeness has been
     used without permission for advertisements and endorsements, outspoken
     advocate against non-consensual AI-generated content
 2.  Kylie Jenner: Reality star and influencer whose name and likeness has been
     used without permission for social media giveaway scams and fake Kylie
     Cosmetics products and websites
 3.  Taylor Swift: Singer whose name and likeness has been used without
     permission for celebrity endorsement, ticket scams, and product giveaway
     scams, as well as for disinformation (political endorsement)
 4.  Anya Taylor-Joy: Actress whose name, and social account/likeness has been
     used without permission for a giveaway scam, and to spread misinformation
     about her streaming series
 5.  Tom Hanks: Actor whose name and likeness has been used without permission
     to promote “miracle cures and wonder drugs”
 6.  Sabrina Carpenter: Singer whose name and likeness has been used without
     permission for fake ticketing scams and to advertise an app for creating
     sexually explicit images
 7.  Sydney Sweeney: Actress whose name and likeness has been used without
     permission for crypto scams
 8.  Blake Lively: Actress whose likeness was used without permission in a
     weight loss gummy scam
 9.  Johnny Depp: Actor whose likeness has been used without permission in
     giveaway, crypto, and fundraising scams
 10. Addison Rae: Singer and actress whose likeness has been used without
     permission for fake endorsements, giveaways, and crypto scams


THE RISE OF AI DEEPFAKES IN CYBERCRIME 

 The advent of AI has revolutionized many industries, but it’s also given
cybercriminals a powerful new tool: the deepfake. In addition to phishing scams
and links containing malware that exploit the popularity and reputation of
celebrities and deceive their fans, these highly realistic video or audio clips
can mimic the likeness of a person, making it nearly impossible to tell whether
the content is real or fake. Deepfakes of celebrities are now being used to
promote fraudulent products, steal personal information, and trick people into
downloading malware. Imagine watching a video of your favorite star endorsing a
new product, only to find out later it wasn’t them at all. This is no longer a
distant possibility but a reality many fans face as scammers get better at
crafting fake content. In fact, some of these AI-generated videos are so
convincing that even the savviest of internet users can fall for them. 

For instance, Tom Hanks’ image was manipulated to promote dubious “miracle
cures,” while Taylor Swift’s likeness has been used in fake political
endorsements. Johnny Depp and Kylie Jenner’s names have been used by scammers in
fake cryptocurrency giveaways, luring fans to engage with risky websites or
phishing scams. 




THE IMPACT ON FANS AND CELEBRITIES 

While these scams primarily aim to steal money or personal data from consumers,
the effects are far-reaching. For fans, the consequences can be devastating,
with financial losses ranging from a few hundred dollars to over half a million.
In addition to the financial risks, victims often feel violated after engaging
with fraudulent content. For celebrities, these scams can have a serious impact
on their public image and brand. Many stars, including Johansson, have taken a
firm stand against the unauthorized use of their images in AI-generated content.
As Johansson has publicly expressed, it’s not just about personal privacy but
about the broader implications of AI and the need for accountability in the tech
world. 


STAYING SAFE IN THE AGE OF AI SCAMS  

As AI becomes more accessible, these scams are only expected to rise. To combat
this growing issue, McAfee recently introduced a powerful combination of
educational resources and advanced, AI-powered technology:  McAfee Deepfake
Detector, the world’s first automatic and AI-powered deepfake detector, and the
McAfee Smart AI™ Hub, a go-to online space for the latest in AI security
knowledge and news. Here are some practical tips to protect yourself from
AI-generated scams: 

 1. Scrutinize Social Media: Social media platforms are hotbeds for
    disinformation and scams. Be skeptical of shocking or too-good-to-be-true
    claims, especially if they involve celebrities.
 2. Validate Sources: Always verify claims by cross-checking with reliable news
    outlets and websites. Don’t trust content without fact-checking it first.
 3. Detect Deepfakes: Look closely at the content for unnatural features—odd
    blinking patterns, mismatched audio, or distorted body parts can be signs of
    a deepfake.
 4. Engage with Caution: Avoid commenting on, sharing, or even clicking on
    unverified social media posts. Engaging with them can increase your exposure
    to scams.
 5. Be Mindful of Your Information: Never give out your personal details to
    unverified sources or websites. Phishing scams often request sensitive
    information under the guise of a celebrity endorsement or giveaway.

In 2024, staying safe online means being aware of the rapidly evolving landscape
of AI and cybercrime. Scammers are getting better at mimicking trusted names
like Scarlett Johansson, Kylie Jenner, and Johnny Depp to deceive fans. With
AI-powered tools like deepfake detectors and informed vigilance, we can reduce
the risk of falling victim to these digital traps. Stay informed, stay cautious,
and always think twice before clicking on a too-good-to-be-true celebrity
endorsement. For more information about McAfee’s 2024 Celebrity Hacker Hotlist
and ways to protect yourself, visit https://www.mcafee.ai 


METHODOLOGY  

The study was conducted by McAfee® threat intelligence researchers to determine
the number of risky sites and amount of misleading content generated by
searching a celebrity name with commonly used terms. A risk score was calculated
for each celebrity using a combination of McAfee WebAdvisor results and an
analysis of known deepfakes recorded between January 1 to September 15, 2024.
McAfee’s WebAdvisor browser extension leverages McAfee’s technology to protect
users from malicious websites and, when turned on, rates nearly every internet
website it finds, using red, yellow and green icons to indicate the website’s
risk level and blocking access to or warning a user if they click on a malicious
or risky URL link. Ratings are created by using patented advanced technology to
conduct automated website tests and works with Chrome, Edge, Safari, and
Firefox. 

 

INTRODUCING MCAFEE+

Identity theft protection and privacy for your digital life

Download McAfee+ Now



Stay Updated

Follow us to stay updated on all things McAfee and on top of the latest consumer
and mobile security threats.


Jasdev Dhaliwal Director of Marketing and Security Evangelist

Jasdev is a Director of Marketing at McAfee and a specialist in consumer
security and online privacy. With over 10 years of security industry experience,
he is a regular writer...


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