{"id":49694,"date":"2016-05-17T05:00:42","date_gmt":"2016-05-17T12:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.mcafee.com\/?p=49694"},"modified":"2025-08-15T07:24:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T14:24:11","slug":"the-security-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/the-security-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"Fad Diet Ads Online Open the Door for Cybercriminals"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fad diets have tempted people throughout history<\/a>. At the turn of the 20th<\/sup> century, the Tapeworm Diet was the trend of the day. It\u2019s exactly what it sounds like\u2014ingesting tapeworms. The only problem? They grow to 25 feet long and cause seizures. In the 1920s, doctors prescribed cigarettes for weight loss. Celebrities, like Elvis, used to rely on the Sleeping Beauty Diet<\/a>: you can\u2019t eat if you\u2019re asleep. Genius. We must\u2019ve come far since those dark ages, right?<\/p>\n

The truth is, today, people still take many risks for beauty and health\u2019s sake. Fad diets can not only sabotage your body, but can even endanger your online security.<\/p>\n

Let me explain. We\u2019ve all seen headlines like: \u201cThe Secret to Shedding 20 Pounds in 20 Days\u201d and \u201cThe Magic Diet Pill That Melts Fat.\u201d What many might not know is that cybercriminals are getting savvier at exploiting consumer search habits. Even realistic information can be a veil for threats. With diet, health, and fitness programs proving a hot topic as we head into summer, phony weight loss ads may lead people into digital traps.<\/p>\n

McAfee\u00a0commissioned a survey to better understand these dangers\u2014and the data was revealing. For U.S. individuals between the ages of 21 and 54, 61% have clicked on a diet-related online ad. Of those, 88% aren\u2019t sure about the safety of health-related links they\u2019ve click on. In fact, out of all survey respondents, 35% don\u2019t know how to check if a website is secure before handing over payment or personal information.<\/p>\n

Whether due to naivet\u00e9, or a burning desire for an ideal body, people are making themselves vulnerable. The most concerning data was that most people will share email addresses (65%) and their full names (51%) if it means attaining an ideal body shape. In hindsight, the Sleeping Beauty Diet doesn\u2019t sound so bad. At least we can\u2019t come face to face with cybercriminals while asleep, right?<\/p>\n

All jokes aside, there are real consequences to clicking without caution. Clicking certain links and downloading files may result in malware<\/a> being installed on your computer. The risk? If malware compromises your device, it can send private files and information to a criminal. Giving strangers contact information and personal details may also occur as part of a phishing<\/a> attack\u2014a popular tactic of cybercrooks, and one riddled across phony fad diet ads.<\/p>\n

Tips to Browse Safely<\/h2>\n

Now, that\u2019s not to say that every diet advertisement is hiding something malicious. There might be useful information behind some health ads, and many fitness websites are legitimate. What we need is to follow online security guidelines in this arena. With that in mind, here are some tips to ensure you browse diet and health content responsibly:<\/p>\n