MYTH BUSTED: All Malware Comes From Porn

Among the most common advice for avoiding computer viruses is to stay away from adult websites. But, is there any truth to that?

It’s no secret that porn is popular online. At the time of this writing, Similarweb reports that four of the world’s 20 most visited websites are dedicated to porn, two of which outrank Wikipedia and Amazon. In 2019, there were 42 billion visits to Pornhub, which comes to an average of 115 million visits per day. That’s the equivalent of the entire population of Canada, Australia, Poland, and the Netherlands all visiting in one day. That isn’t even the most popular porn website listed!

Key Takeaways

• Legitimate Adult Sites Are Generally Safe: Well-known adult websites prioritize user safety to maintain their business and typically don't host malware.
• Cybercriminals Exploit Fake Sites: Scammers create fake adult sites or mimic popular ones to trick users into downloading malware or giving away personal information.
• Stay Cautious Online: Use trusted browser protection tools, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and don't provide unnecessary personal details to stay safe while browsing.

Do Pornographic Websites Give Users Malware?

Absolutely not. Not the legitimate porn websites, at least. Owners of these websites and their models make money from views and advertising. Viruses, trojans, and other malware would cause viewers and customers to look elsewhere. That just isn’t good for business at all.

But what about that sketchy popup?

When it comes to porn, cybercriminals use the same techniques they use everywhere else on the web to carry out their attacks. They certainly aren’t ones to pass up a good opportunity to make a buck and find ways to sneak in where they can.

Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.

Guardio Keeps You Safe on the Web

Over one million people use Guardio to keep themselves safe as they browse the web. It’s rated “Excellent” on TrustPilot with 4.5 stars from 1,552 reviews.

They create malicious porn websites intended to defraud or infect visitors. These sites, however, tend to be small-scale and not very well-known. Or, they’re created to appear similar to the popular porn websites so victims don’t realize they’re not on the site they intended to visit. Once there, victims may be asked to download videos which unbeknownst to them, include malware attachments. Or, they may be asked to sign up for the website and verify their age by providing a credit card number or scanned image of their identification. This successfully phished information is then sent over to the scammer to sell for profit or to commit identity theft.

How can I avoid malicious porn websites?

The dangers you might encounter while watching porn are the same as the dangers you’d encounter elsewhere online. The main difference is that you might be reluctant to ask a buddy for another opinion if something sounds scammy. Here are ways you can avoid malware and scams on adult websites.

1. Use protection

Browser protection, that is. Browser protection tools like Guardio allow you to visit legitimate websites, while blocking those that contain malware, scams, and other threats right from your browser.

2. Don’t click on suspicious links

Stick with the big-name, trusted websites to ensure that you’re on a website created by an actual business and not a scammer. Avoid being tempted by any banner ads you may see on legitimate websites that draw you to another site.

3. Avoid providing information that isn’t necessary

Unless you’re paying for premium content, porn websites don’t need your credit card information and they certainly don’t need your personal details or identification. If you’re asked for these things, chances are that you’re dealing with a malicious porn website and not one that is legitimate.

Guardio is a Chrome extension that monitors suspicious activity and blocks hackers from stealing your data.

Pro Tip: Stay One Step Ahead of Malware with Smart Digital Habits

Malware isn't confined to certain "dangerous" corners of the internet—it can lurk in the most unexpected places. Strengthen your defenses with these simple steps:

1. Inspect app permissions before downloading: Malware often hides in seemingly innocent apps. Before installing, review permissions. Apps requesting excessive access (like to your contacts or microphone) without a clear reason could be malicious.
2. Hover before you click: Always hover over links in emails, social media, or websites before clicking to see the actual destination URL. Scammers often hide malicious links behind shortened or disguised URLs.
3. Update your software regularly: Many malware attacks exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software. Enable automatic updates for your operating system, browser, and antivirus tools.
4. Be mindful of USB drives: Malware can spread through infected USB drives. Avoid using untrusted devices, and always scan them with antivirus software before accessing their content.

By implementing these habits, you can guard against malware, no matter where it originates.

Conclusion

The idea that all malware originates from pornographic websites is a myth. While cybercriminals exploit the popularity of adult content to launch malicious attacks, legitimate porn websites prioritize user experience and security to maintain their business. Malicious actors often create fake or fraudulent websites to trick users, but these tactics are not exclusive to the adult industry—they’re common across all areas of the internet.

By following simple safety measures like using browser protection tools, avoiding suspicious links, and being cautious about sharing personal information, users can minimize their risk of falling victim to online scams and malware—whether they’re browsing adult content or any other part of the web. The bottom line? Malware can strike anywhere, so smart browsing habits are your best defense.

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