One of the largest pornographic websites in the world sure has a cute little logo, but does that make it harmless? The question of whether xHamster is safe is a valid one, and the answer is not as straightforward as a simple yes or no.
Keep reading to find out why.
Brief Origin Story
xHamster, founded in 2007 by Alex Hawkings and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, was created to stand out from other pornographic websites at the time.
The popularity of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter has inspired the founders, and they sought to combine the features of a pornographic tube site with those of an adult-oriented social media site.
According to them, the platform is for individuals who wish to engage in chatting, share erotic pictures and amateur videos, and find like-minded friends online. It may also serve as a means to explore potential partners for intimate relationships.
Whether anyone uses those advanced features today, or even cares about them, is an entirely different matter. Either way, xHamster thrives as a platform for amateurs to sell their homemade porn and fetish photos and videos.
Free of Charge Doesn’t Mean Free of Risk
Just because you can get your freak on without paying doesn’t mean that no one’s picking up the check. And as you probably expect, that’s the root of the problem.
Porn sites have to get funding from somewhere, and one of the most common and profitable ways is via ads.
Now, some might think, Sure, ads can be annoying, but are they really that dangerous?
Well, not necessarily, but they could be.
Truth be told, none of these major porn sites (Pornhub, xVideos, xHamster, etc.) have total control over the ads they display.
Anyone with deep pockets can waltz in, buy ad space from their ad network, and do with it what they please — even place infected content. And users who click on it will unknowingly expose themselves to risk.
Although the site takes its security seriously, every now and then something is bound to slip through the cracks. That’s why you’ll never want to click on ads — even if you really need those 3 extra inches!
Your Main Threats While Browsing xHamster
Cybercriminals have plenty of ways to get all up in your business, but most of them revolve around the following three:
- Malware — software (viruses, trojans, worms, etc.) designed to harm a computer system, network, or device
- Adware — software that displays unwanted advertising on a computer or mobile device
- Spyware — software that secretly monitors and collects user information without their knowledge or consent
As you’re likely aware, none of them are good to have. Luckily, you can avoid them all in pretty much the same way.
How to Stay Safe While Browsing xHamster
For the most part, xHamster is a safe website to browse and even download from. To keep your devices and personal information 100% secure on it, simply:
- Do not click on ads or unknown links
- Use incognito mode or clear your cache and cookies
- Use a VPN; if you don’t have one, our recommendation goes to PureVPN
- Use a good antivirus such as Norton
- Consider getting xHamster Premium — it removes ads and allows you to purchase full-length premium content; it’s as secure as buying soda, but much easier
Conclusion
With millions of daily users, xHamster is, without a doubt, a popular and successful website. However, while it may not contain harmful programs, third-party advertisements and pop-ups can be problematic.
That being said, xHamster is doing their part to keep you safe while you’re their guest. As long as you’re just a little bit careful, the answer to the Is xHamster safe? question will be a definite yes.