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.'"

Comments

Yea right

[mrsteveman1]

according to a researchers who set up their very own adult sites for a new study.

Strictly for research purposes :)

Alternatively

[SamSim]

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.

Funny Off-Topic-But-Related Note

[no1home]

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: ....?

Re:Funny Off-Topic-But-Related Note

[Aladrin]

On the other hand, the kind of person that surfs for porn in a public place is the kind you want to clean up after, computer viruses or not. She's making a smart move, if for the wrong reason.

Re:Just like in real life...

[Anonymous Coward]

Fortunately, slashdot users never run into that sort of "real life" problem.

Re:safe sex

[PatPending]

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.