Clearswift, which conducts monthly Internet-wide email analysis, found that the volume of spam promising pornographic content rose from 5.6 to 14 percent from April to May. The majority of these messages contained links to spyware programs.
While technology experts fret about the use of adult content to help spread malicious software, social critics say it is the content itself that is doing the most harm.
Scott Berkowitz, president of the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network, said his organization received more than 150 complaints each week about emails with subject lines such as “Famous victims of parental incest” and “Welcome to the brutal rape archive.”
While U.S. law prohibits sending mail that contains sexually oriented material to underage recipients through the U.S. postal service, as well as rules forbidding unwanted faxes, there currently are no laws pertaining to junk email — even if the subject matter itself is illegal, such as bestiality.
Adding to the problem, critics say, is that most of the problematic emails are generated from overseas.
Articles have appeared recently in psychology journals theorizing that surfers have become bored by the tremendous volume of freely available “mainstream” adult content and marketers have responded by offering more extreme content.
The anonymous nature of the Internet also has helped to lower inhibitions about indulging taboo fantasies, they say, making it more likely that surfers will click on links in such messages.
“Using anonymous screen names, individuals can explore and express their sexual interests with little fear that friends, coworkers, or even spouses will discover their activities,” psychologist Katelyn Y.A. McKenna said, adding that there is little fear of real-world reprisals or retribution, especially where child pornography is concerned.
But it’s a mistaken belief that can land surfers in prison.
Edward Ray Barton, for example, was recently found guilty of 106 child sex exploitation charges when a Georgia court ruled child pornography images in the temporary Internet files section of his hard drive could be considered possession. Barton was sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
