UK porn block could get you HACKED as crooks plot to ‘trick Brits with fake websites’, experts warn
PORN fans will be a juicy target for hackers when the UK porn block kicks in this summer.
Crooks are plotting to use the ban, which aims to prevent youngsters from stumbling across smut on the web, to trick randy Brits into handing over their personal details.
When the block begins on July 15, naughty sites will have to get proof of ID from UK residents before showing any X-rated clips.
That includes free porn sites like PornHub and YouPorn – which attract nearly two billion visits a month between them worldwide.
They'll join a number of other sites in using the AgeID system, which requires users to verify their age via an official form of ID.
And according to cyber crime experts at F-Secure, the system leaves people exposed to identity theft and other cyber crimes.
That's because crooks could set up fake websites that look like Age Verification tools to fool unsuspecting Brits.
Once victims have plugged in their private details and a form of ID, the hackers have everything they need to make purchases or open up a credit card in your name.
"Preventing kids from accessing certain types of online content, such as pornography, is in everyone’s interest," said F-Secure expert Tom Gaffney.
"But people who share personal details with third-party age verification platforms need to know that attackers actively target this type of data, and will likely find these databases very enticing.
"Plus, criminals will almost certainly try to trick users into disclosing personal information by creating fake websites that look like legitimate verification pages, which is another risk users need to be made aware of."
Under the new laws, British internet users will be required to verify their age in order to access adult content websites.
What is the UK porn block?
Here's everything you need to know...
- Watching free porn in Britain is about to get a lot trickier thanks to new rules that aim to protect children from online smut.
- As early as July 15, porn sites will be required to get proof of ID from UK residents before showing any X-rated clips.
- That includes free porn sites like PornHub and YouPorn – which attract nearly 2billion visits a month between them worldwide.
- They'll join a number of other sites in using the AgeID system, which requires users to verify their age via an official form of ID such as a driver's license or passport.
- From July 15, when the new system is expected to launch, randy internet lurkers will be shown a non-pornographic "landing page".
- When someone first clicks on a site, they'll be asked to register with AgeID and verify their age using a Mobile SMS, credit card, passport, or driving licence.
- Users will then be able to use their AgeID username or password to access all porn sites that use AgeID – though some may use different age verification systems.
- The new rules were approved as part of the Digital Economy Act 2017.
- They aim to make it harder for under-18s to get hold of adult material.
This could mean sharing personal information such as passport, driving license, phone number or credit card details with third-party age verification platforms.
People will also be able to verify their age by purchasing a “porn pass” at a local shop.
To protect these details, make sure you verify using certified AgeID websites.
A list of these should be published by the government before the ban kicks in in July.
The checks could backfire on people under the age of 18 looking to find away around the block.
"The checks may drive those who wish to avoid the age verification system into engaging in more risky online behaviours," said F-Secure expert Fennel Aurora.
"This could include accessing smaller, unregistered sites, or using free, untrustworthy tools that can harm unsuspecting users attempting to work around the checks.
"If these behaviours increase, we could end up exposing internet users of all ages to illegal content, as well as malware and other cyber crimes,” warns Aurora.
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For more porn block news, a watchdog recently admitted the ban won’t catch all sex sites and will instead "focus on the main ones".
The Sun recently revealed creepy "candid feet" pages on Facebook where pervs swap pics of unsuspecting women's toes.
Last year, The Sun exposed a huge cache of porn on YouTube that the tech giant had failed to take down.
What do you think of the porn block? Let us know in the comments!
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