The new program is called Haute Secure, and it follows in the footsteps of other programs that block spyware, adware, phishing and related malevolent applications known collectively as malware.
If someone encounters a dangerous new program or website, Haute Secure adds that information to the company's central database, which keeps track of all main industry blacklists. Registered users also may build and share their own personal blacklists.
Several adult industry professionals spoke with XBIZ about their own security precautions. Very few took extra steps to block malware, only saying that they tried to avoid dangerous sites.
Online guru Brandon Shalton told XBIZ that even though it's sensible to steer clear of malevolent sites, sometimes it's hard to see a trap ahead of time.
"That happened to me before," said Shalton, who founded the traffic analysis service T3Report.com. "I was checking up on porn sites I found in T3Report, because [I found] the domain names interesting, and I got spyware installed on my computer."
LiveBucks Marketing Director Roy told XBIZ that Haute Secure didn't sound particularly innovative, citing the NetCraft Toolbar as a similar plug-in.
At the same time, though, Roy did say that active members of the adult online community would do well to protect themselves.
"Yes, you should definitely be careful, especially if you have to visit a lot of other people's sites," he said. "Gallery reviewers and site reviewers in particular should watch it."
Haute Secure is available for Internet Explorer and Firefox.
