Pornado

While it’s unclear who coined the term pornado and when, it seems to have originated online before spreading to the mainstream. It was first posted on Urban Dictionary in 2004, but its origins may go back to the ‘90s, when porn websites began gaining traction online. An American band called Pornado released its debut album “For Lovers” in 2003. A 2006 episode of the crime drama series “CSI: Miami” used the term during an episode when a convicted voyeur sent a pornado virus to a pedophile on parole.

Pornados and Online Security

A pornado usually won’t cause any real harm, but some people who target others online, known in the cybersecurity world as bad actors, can use them to their advantage. For example, their links and advertisements may contain viruses or malware that leave computers and mobile devices vulnerable. People may activate viruses and malware by clicking on porn links or advertising, or visiting certain websites.

"Clicking on links and advertisements on adult websites carries a high risk of encountering malicious software, including viruses, ransomware and spyware," confirmed Chris Kendell, the CEO of AI comparison website Arktan. He says his company has dealt with many pornographic AI tools, and has seen first-hand how bad actors can use them maliciously. "Porn websites are often targeted by bad actors precisely because they know users may be less cautious or might not want to report issues due to the sensitive nature of the content. The risks include data breaches, identity theft, and compromise of personal or financial information."

He encourages people to "exercise extreme caution" when interacting with adult sites and to employ up-to-date defense tools, including antivirus software, ad blockers, popup blockers and virtual private networks (VPNs). "Better yet, avoid clicking on any links or advertisements on these sites altogether to minimize risks," he adds.

Sending a pornado is also illegal in some states. While state laws vary, the electronic transmission of unwanted sexually explicit material is a class C misdemeanor in some states, including Texas and Connecticut. The offense may be more serious if the pornado contains revenge porn or images of minors, or if minors receive the adult content. Sending a pornado to a work colleague or from a place of business may also violate company anti-harassment policies.

Anyone concerned about receiving a pornado from a known source should let the sender know they are uncomfortable receiving pornographic content from them. People can also report pornados to the service or platform used to send them. These businesses may issue formal warnings to senders or suspend their accounts. Many apps and social media platforms allow people to block users, which can prevent further pornados. Local police departments can also investigate these matters when victims report them. Some large cities have specialized cybercrime units that focus on cases like these.