Internet Security Remains Stark Threat, Warns Consumer Reports

YONKERS, New York — Based on data published in Consumer Reports’ State of the Net survey, consumers and businesses should remain hyper vigilant about protecting their PCs. The study found that American consumers spent at least $7.8 billion on repairs, parts and computer replacements over the past two years because of viruses, malware, phishing and other badware.

Consumer Reports State of the Net survey is the company’s third annual survey of online activity and threats. The data represents a national sample of more than 2,000 households with Internet access. It was conducted this spring by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

Among the study’s targeted findings are:

  • Twenty-nine percent said a virus, spyware, or phishing scam caused serious computer problems and/or financial losses in the past two years.
  • Twenty percent of the households surveyed didn’t have antivirus software installed.
  • Thirty-five percent didn’t use software to block or remove spyware. And consumers in roughly 795,000 households continued to buy products advertised through spam.
  • 2.4 million households connected to broadband Internet do not keep an active firewall.
  • Minors are being targeted online, as easy marks for spyware, and by predators on social networking sites.
  • Fifty-nine percent of Windows users reported a virus infection during the past two years or a spyware infection in the past six months.
  • The fastest growing cyberthreat are hoards of personal computers compromised by bots that are leased out to spam, spyware and identity-theft criminals.

    “In looking at Consumer Reports’ study it is more important that ever for adult webmasters and adult site operators to implement the strongest security measures to protect the end user and its webmaster affiliates,” Atlas Multimedia’s Domenick Bongiorno told XBIZ. Bongiorno’s company designs and manages official porn star sites. “This is a huge problem for everyone with a broadband-connected computer, so it’s important to shell out the extra money to properly protect not only your PC — but the investment in the sites you create and market.”

    During Consumer Reports’ first 24 hours of monitoring cyber assaults at Symantec’s Alexandria, Va. facility, the company observed 59 million malicious attack attempts from North America alone.

  • Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
    Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

    More News

    Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

    SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

    Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

    Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

    Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

    President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

    NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

    The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

    Report: VPN Downloads Soar in UK Following Age Verification Deadline

    Virtual private network apps, which can be used to circumvent geo-specific age verification requirements, are topping Apple App Store downloads in the U.K. in the wake of new Online Safety Act rules, the BBC is reporting.

    Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

    Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

    Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

    Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

    Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

    Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

    AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

    AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

    Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

    Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

    Show More