According to a recent survey, every second, around 28,258 people begin to watch pornography online. Furthermore, the average consumption of pornography (across all demographics) has increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to stay-at-home mandates, social distancing, and minimal in-person interactions.
While there is nothing wrong with the safe and ethical consumption of pornography, clicking on this kind of website sometimes feels a little risky. For example, pornography sites often fall victim to hackers, resulting in large data breaches which could infringe upon your privacy. Furthermore, as watching pornography is a distinctly private act – it’s likely that you will not want those around you to know about the kind of material you consume.
However, you shouldn’t let this worry you – as there are plenty of ways that you can watch porn safely – especially during this difficult time.
Use trusted reputable sites
One of the safest ways to watch porn online is to ensure that you only watch pornography from trusted, reputable sites – such as big-name brands. This is due to the fact that larger companies often have more stringent security procedures in place to protect all of your data (name, location, credit card details, etc.). Furthermore, these websites are also more prepared to deal with hackers and will have enhanced security systems in place.
This means they are a much safer way to watch pornography than smaller, lesser-known sites. If you are unsure as to which websites to use, a quick google search regarding the company will usually point you in the right direction, as you will be able to figure out whether they have dealt with any data or private information leaks in the past. Another benefit of using reputable sites comes alongside the fact that they are often much more ethical when it comes to supporting sex workers and upholding their rights.
Go incognito
Most search engines enable you to go into an incognito mode when searching online, and this can be achieved by simply changing your settings. For example, on Google Chrome, the incognito mode can be accessed by the settings menu in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. Alternatively, you can press Control, Shift, and N to enter incognito mode immediately.
When in incognito mode, search engines such as chrome will not save any browsing history, site data, or other private information entered by users. This means it is a particularly safe way to watch porn safely and discreetly.
Use a VPN
If you spend a lot of time, you may have already heard of a VPN. In fact, many people set up VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), in order to unlock extra content on sites such as Netflix by removing geographic restrictions. They work by rerouting internet traffic and changing your IP address accordingly. This means that users who access this information will not be able to know your location or original IP – keeping your data safe and secure and, by extension, your pornography private.
For example, if other people use your computer, they will not be able to see any of your previous searches, nor will your internet service provider. While there are various companies that offer VPN services for a small fee, there are also plenty of free VPN programs out there for you to try out.
Install anti-virus software
The right antivirus software will quickly and efficiently ‘detect and remove viruses and other kinds of malicious software from your computer’. As a result, they are a great way to up your online security when consuming pornographic material. This is particularly important when you consider the sheer number of viruses that are often contained in these sites (often in the form of pop-up advertisements or hidden redirects). When you have anti-virus software installed, you’ll be notified immediately if your computer or data is at risk. Then, you can instantly remove the threat – and rest easy knowing that your data is stored safely.
In summation, there are various ways in which you can watch pornography safely online – you simply need to be cautious. By putting the proper security procedures in place ahead of time – such as switching to incognito mode, installing anti-virus software, and setting up a VPN, you’re ensuring that your private online time remains private. And, these efforts can be further strengthened by using the right pornography sites – focusing on reputable companies that have strong security measures in place.