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Porn Sites More Infected Than Thought
nk497 writes "Porn sites are five times as likely to host malware as previously thought, with 3.6% offering up a digital infection of some sort, according to a researchers who set up their very own adult sites for a new study. One reason for the high rate of malware is that the online porn industry makes use of affiliate programs, where one site will drive traffic to another in exchange for links, cash, or simply free pornographic material to use. Because such programs don't check who they're doing business with, and sites use disguised links and other clandestine methods to drive people to different pages, it's easy for criminals to abuse the system to spread malware. Researcher Gilbert Wondracek said, 'They inadvertently have created an ecosystem that can easily be abused on a large scale by cyber criminals, and that's worrying.'"
But that's ok... only ethically bad people use pornography, right? Right?
What? You mean risks to one part of the internet make it less safe for the rest of us? Gasp!
Scientists point out problems, engineers fix them
altslashdot.org: The future of slashdot.
I'd better run a full scan just in case.
Not like I've been to as many porn sites as would be necessary to be statistically likely to have gotten infected. Several times over. Nosiree!
I'll be honest, we're throwing science against the wall to see what sticks. -Cave Johnson
according to a researchers who set up their very own adult sites for a new study.
Strictly for research purposes :)
Weird.
That is WAY lower than I'd have expected.
I don't know the stats, but maybe it's more correct to say that malware sites are more likely to host pornography than they are to fall into other categories? It's probably the best way to attract large streams of users.
qntm.org
Unsafe behavior leads to spread of viruses, film at eleven.
(Eleven what?)
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
I work for a facility where a large number of our computers are for public use. We do not filter access (but if children are near someone known to be surfing porn, we have that person stop surfing such material). We all know some people choose to surf porn here, though it boggles the mind why.
One day, I saw an older lady take a wet-nap style cleaning towel from the container we provide and begin cleaning the keyboard with it. I expressed my concern over using a WET-nap for an electronic part (they're for cleaning the desk, seat, hands, etc.).
Lady: But you know they watch porn on these PCs, right? ....?
Me: Yes. We aren't allowed to filter the content. But cleaning the key...
Lady: And you know these porn places are infected with all kinds of viruses, don't you?
Me:
I hope this comment is well received... I could have moderated instead!
Persecutors will be violated!
Porn sites aren't the only ones promiscuously mixing affiliates: there's a great deal of it going on with otherwise decent web advertisers as well, with results that range from the merely annoying to just as dangerous. It's very difficult to track the sources down beyond the first few layers because the whole thing is a bunged-up mess.
not only because of the sloppy tech, but because of the clientele. Lots of money flowing from folks trying to lose their real identities and who are less likely than most to try and seek investigations if they get scammed. Doesn't get better than this.
Yeah as long as you don't mount, you should be okay.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." - historian Evelyn Beatrice Hall
Fortunately, slashdot users never run into that sort of "real life" problem.
...nothing on your HD is touched.
What hard drive? ;-)
Is there any kind of sex that is safe?
My dog humping your leg?
Anyway, here's a true story:
When I was self-employed, my dog, Jake, used to lay on the floor by the check-out counter.
One day while a guy was checking-out, Jake started licking his balls.
Seeing this, the guy commented, "Gee, I wish I could do that!"
I replied, "Go ahead--Jake won't mind.
What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)
Clarification:
One day while a guy was checking-out, Jake started licking his (Jake's) balls.
What one fool can do, another can. (Ancient Simian Proverb)