It's no secret that surfing adult websites, engaging in online adult chat or visiting online adult dating sites means dealing with websites that contain high volumes of spyware. However, due to the nature of these adult sites, many people don't want to admit to visiting them and will usually not report the adult site or retaliate. Studies show that visiting adult sites is one of the more risky browsing habits a user can develop, simply because of the risk of spyware infection.

According to a report published by the University of Washington, adult websites and websites containing adult material are included in the high-risk category of web surfing. And it's not just the seedier, pornographic sites; popular adult dating sites and sites featuring adult chat are also rife with spyware threats. Often, it's not enough merely to avoid sites that offer adult images and downloads, because spyware can be found on some of the tamer adult dating and adult chat sites that don't feature pornography but are still geared to the adult dating and adult chat communities. Internet users who are educated about the dangers of spyware are more likely to read user agreements before downloading programs from the internet, and therefore have less of a chance of accidental spyware infection.

There are a few standard rules to follow to keep your computer from being infected by spyware gleaned from adult dating and adult chat sites, as well as adult sites in general:

1. Use common sense. Avoid visiting adult websites and adult dating and chat sites, and you will avoid the spyware on those pages by default.
2. If you choose to visit an adult site or find yourself redirected to an adult site by a link, do not click "yes" or "OK" to anything that might appear on your screen.
3. Do not click on popup ads or banner ads for adult dating or adult chat sites. Clicking on the link could take you to the site and put you at risk for spyware infection.
4. Do not open emails that appear to be from an adult website.
5. Do not open attachments in adult-themed emails.
6. Do not open links, emails, or email attachments that appear to be from people you do not know. If you receive a link or attachment from a known person, check with them to make sure it is legitimate before you click it.
7. Install a firewall and an anti spyware software program on your computer to protect against drive-by downloading.

Organizations such as the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) urge users to report any spyware they contract, and CDT makes it easy for even people who would like to keep their adult browsing habits private to do so, with an anonymous online form. If you were infected with spyware by an adult website, an adult dating website, or an adult chat website and would like to report that website as a spyware host, visit www.cdt.org for more information.