Some people are carrying key loggers on their mobile phones or computers today because they visited a porn website. Keyloggers are software used by hackers to monitor your keystrokes on your phone or computer.
Many are being blackmailed and are paying ransoms in secret today because of their activities on a porn site. Others are already hacked and are using their devices with a hacker without even noticing it. I don’t know if you are among any of the mentioned categories, but if you have watched porn on your phone or laptop, then this post is for you.
In the early 2000s, many were advised not to watch pornography on their mobile phones. This was because some vulnerabilities in the early version of Android allowed hackers to gain remote access to devices through videos.
In 2012, an exploit on VLC Player (CVE-2012-3377.) allowed hackers to take over people’s systems when they tried to play malicious video files created by a hacker. All you had to do to get hacked was click play on the video file.
Also, the case of the 2019 WhatsApp vulnerability (CVE-2019-11931) allowed hackers to hack users remotely by sending them an MP4 video file through chats. This really affected those who allowed their WhatsApp to download video files automatically.
These and more are different cases where videos are used to target victims by hackers. You can now see that it is not only through links that you can be hacked. The question remains: can one get hacked today by watching a video or visiting a porn site?
Continue reading as we discuss key reasons why you should be careful with your visit to porn websites and your viewing or downloading of video files online.
Can You Get Hacked Just by Visiting a Porn Site?
The answer to this question is yes. This is because if a porn site is designed with the goal of hacking its visitors, then the malware will be unleashed at you the moment you visit the site. This might happen through an auto-script download, a malicious advertisement, or malicious video files.
One thing you should always keep in mind while using free online products or services is that it costs money to place things online and to maintain their security.
Remember the saying that “if you are not paying for the online product, then you are the product?”.
This is why many have advised the use of premium pornography sites instead. But how many are there who can pay to watch porn or are willing to give in their credit card details to a porn site? Most pornography viewers rely on free porn sites.
The possibility of getting hacked while viewing porn is very high. Remember, hormones also make things worse as they becloud judgment while on those sites. This makes it a lucrative target for bad actors.
Ways You Can Be Hacked Through a Porn Site
Porn sites are very lucrative places for hackers to find their victims. There are millions of people visiting porn sites weekly, and this makes them a good target for hackers. Another reason why porn sites are good targets for hackers is that victims of attacks on these sites find it difficult to report being hacked or scammed. Imagine telling your friends you were caught or hacked watching porn on your device. Below are ways you can be hacked through a porn site.
Malicious ads and Redirects
Porn sites have a bad history of malicious ads and redirects. These ads are placed by hackers to steal users’ login credentials and install malware or spyware on the target systems.
If you know you watch pornography on your device, there is no time to be more careful than now. A click on a genuine-looking ad on a porn website might lead to hackers gaining remote access to your system. This means the hacker will be wherever they are controlling your phone while you are still with it. They can take your picture or video record you without you knowing or monitoring your chats or conversations.
When a porn site redirects you to a different address on a visit, there is a possibility that it may lead you to a malicious webpage. Always pay attention to the address bar while visiting porn sites.
Video Downloads
Hackers can get remote access to your device when you download and play a malicious video file. Hackers do this by exploiting vulnerabilities in the video player application you are using. This type of attack depends on the type of video player you are using. It also depends on whether the player has vulnerabilities or not.
This type of attack happens only with a single click on the malicious video file. Once that is done, the hacker will be using your computer with you. They can also install whatever they want on your computer, which will help them regain access whenever you come online.
Blackmailing Scam
Another way hackers target pornography viewers is through email or chat scams. This they do by sending random email or chat messages to their targets, threatening to blackmail them. This is called sextortion.
This might be a hacker claiming to have a video of you watching porn or having your nude pictures and demanding payment to avert a leak.
Many porn site viewers fall victim to such threats, and they pay the ransom without knowing it is simply crafted mail by scammers. This type of scam takes advantage of the huge number of porn sites. Definitely, the person receiving their mail may have viewed porn in one way or another on their device. Due to their lack of awareness of how hacking works, they will fall victim to the scam.
Avoid paying a ransom for a blackmail attempt. To read more about how to handle this kind of blackmail without payment, read our post on the sextortion scam.
Phishing Attacks and Leaked Credentials
Always remember that it is not everyone who gives you real information about how you hacked your account to get it. Some got the information from leaked data on the internet. So don’t be scared because they gave you the correct information about you. That might be all that they have, and they are using it to scare you into giving them more data.
Porn sites are one avenue hackers can use to gather information about victims they would like to attack. Avoid using your real information while registering with a porn website or making payments with your credit card. Use bitcoin or any other anonymous payment method.
Vital Points You Should Note Before You Watch Your Next Porn
Remember, you may be giving out valuable information about your device, like your IP address, location, etc., while using a porn app or website. Start using a VPN or Tor browser while watching porn.
Downloading a porn app on your device will make it more dangerous to your security. The permission you give to the app determines the kind of access the app vendors will have on your device.
Also, pay attention to the permission you give to porn websites on your browser and the kind of permission your browser has while viewing porn.
Be careful with advertisements on porn sites and how you click on them. Remember, visiting and staying on a malware-infected website is like swimming in crocodile-infected water. It won’t take time, and you will be attacked.
The ultimate solution is to abstain from porn sites if you can.
FAQ: How People Get Hacked From Porn Sites
While it’s possible, the risk is generally low if you’re cautious and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading anything from unfamiliar sites.
Malicious ads, fake downloads, phishing scams, and unsecured networks are the primary methods.
Use a VPN, keep your software updated, be cautious of pop-ups and ads, use strong passwords, and avoid downloading from suspicious sites.
While a VPN can significantly reduce your risk, it’s not a foolproof solution. Combining it with other security measures is essential.
Change your passwords, scan your device for malware, monitor your accounts, and report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
It may be possible to recover some data, but it’s often difficult. Regular backups can help mitigate losses.
Yes, it’s possible. Disconnect your device from the internet and scan it for malware.
While there’s no definitive list, it’s generally safer to stick to well-known, reputable sites.
Yes, it’s possible. Ensure your webcam is covered when not in use, and use strong passwords for any webcam-related software. Also watch out for your device’s webcam light if it has not been bypassed by the attacker.
