The Tiger Woods car accident has had the web abuzz over the weekend. Like nearly anything else that creates such buzz, cyber-criminals will find a way to exploit it. This incident is no exception.

According to security company Symantec, interest in Tiger’s accident and rumors surrounding its cause has given scareware peddlers "ripe opportunity" to "poison web search engines." Because the story has generated such a swell in web traffic and searches, malicious entities surely couldn’t resist. The story has appeared frequently in the top Google searches since the news broke.

Symantec says it has observed that some search results redirect users to different malicious domains, such as:

- vir-curemypc-now.com
- egafuki.cn
- online-scanner-free.net

"From an IT security point of view, this unfortunate incident is just another fruit ripe for the picking as far as malware writers are concerned," says Symantec’s Hon Lau. "It comes as no surprise that the creators of rogue antivirus or misleading application software have already jumped on the bandwagon and attempted to poison web search engine results to take advantage of this spike in web search activity."

Naturally, the company is advising web searchers and those interested in the Tiger Woods story to be on guard. Symantec reminds us that when you search for info on the web, it is best to make sure your computer is secure. In addition, stay away from online sources that seem to "strong-arm" you into buying anti-virus software.

On a related note, Tech Blorge notes that the Tiger Woods story was broken on Twitter, as opposed to traditional media. These cases always provide for an interesting look at how new media is changing in the era of social media.

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Talk about Michael Jackson took the web by storm after the King of Pop’s death, and it’s back again as a new (or previously unreleased, rather) song from him has been released on the web. The song is called "This is It," and it’s from the upcoming Jackson film of the same name.

The song has been made available, streaming at MichaelJackson.com, where embed code is also available so the song can be shared anywhere on the web. Here it it is:

Talk of the new song is all over Twitter, and is a trending topic. It is also a "Hot Trend" on Google. "This is It," the film, hits theaters October 28.

Susan Atkins, one of the members of the Manson Family (followers of Charles Manson), who infamously killed Sharon Tate in 1969 has been reported dead, and as a reflection of the morbid curiosity of the general public, Google shows that Atkins searches have become a hot trend (current rating: "spicy").

Related searches appear on the list at least five other times.

Atkins had brain caner according to CNN, and died in prison at the age of 61. She went to prison in 1971 after committing her vicious crimes when she was 21. Back in her Manson Family days she went by Sadie Mae Glutz.

CNN also quotes a website maintained by her attorney/husband, which claims Atkins became a "born-again Christian", who worked to help at-risk youth, victims of violent crimes, homeless children, etc.

There is an interesting mix of reactions throughout the Twitterverse regarding her death, ranging from the Glad:

"World is a better place today – Susan Atkins has left it. ‘ . . . I got sick of listening to it (Tate begging for mercy), so I stabbed her.’"

…to the sad:

"is pretty bummed that Susan Atkins died."

…to exploitative:

"Susan Atkins died today. Don’t miss this auction" Vincent Bugliosi Signed 1st Helter Skelter Book Ebay#…."

More information about Susan Atkins’ death can be found at FamousDeadDB.

Have you ever seen what a flooded amusement park looks like? It’s quite a sight, and the web is getting a look as news of Atlanta, Georgia’s Six Flags park being under water buzzes around the web.

Videos have been posted to YouTube, Tweets are rolling in, and "six flags under water" is currently number one on Google’s Hot Trends list. Here’s a clip:

"Flooding in atlanta," "six flags atlanta flood" and "ga flooding" are all also currently on the Google Hot Trends list.

While the damage to an amusement park may not be as significant as the damage to the homes of families on a human level, the scene certainly emphasizes the destruction that is really going on down in the Atlanta area. When you can see roller coasters sticking out of the water, it puts the flood into some perspective, that’s for sure.

It should be noted that there are already videos being pulled from YouTube, seemingly about as fast as they are being uploaded.

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Michael Jackson’s death will be expected as a next hot trend on search engines for the next few days. I think there will be a massive hits on his life and history and a lot of downloads on his songs and clips.

Michael jackson’s biography will be an interest for so many people who will digg and search for it.

lets see what the next few hours will bring on this issue.

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