Blog Spammers Posting Porn, Spyware Links to .Gov Sites

CYBERSPACE — In a development that underscores one of the downsides to the greater interactivity of the so-called Web 2.0 environment, forums on governmental and educational websites are being exploited by blog spammers to spread spyware and generate traffic to adult sites, as documented by a noted tech blogger.

Brian Krebs, who blogs for the Washington Post on computer security issues, noted on his blog this week that pages on official websites for state governments and several elementary school districts have been targeted by spammers.

One such example is Labswe.org, the website for the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners. A search for "porn" executed on Louisiana.gov, the official website for the state government of the state, yielded numerous links to pages on Labswe.org.

The pages on Labswe.org in turn were linked to gateway pages packed with adult site links and explicit thumbnails. In addition to gallery pages and traffic trade links, advertising for several major adult affiliate programs appears on many of these gateway pages.

Some of the pages linked from Labswe.org linked to pages that were identified by Norton Antivirus as containing spyware, and most of the pages either executed code that disabled the browser’s back button or popped exit consoles that defeated Internet Explorer’s popup blocker.

Among the sites and domains that were linked to from the governmental pages were Gorunger.com, OffPorn.com, multiple subdomains of FirstLink.ru and AfterHoursZone.com.

Adult industry attorney J.D. Obenberger told XBIZ that while the postings that led to spyware downloads most likely violated laws against computer trespassing and other cybercrime offenses, spamming the forums with links to adult sites does not constitute a crime, as far as he is aware.

Obenberger noted that while there is a federal law concerning misleading domain names that could cause children to unknowingly and unwillingly view sexually explicit materials, none of the domains in question here would qualify, and since the situation does not involve email, no CAN-SPAM liability would apply.

“If the government sets up a forum that’s open to the public, I don’t see why it is — or should be — illegal to use that forum for any legal purpose,” Obenberger said.

Obenberger said that if the content on the websites linked to in the forum posts were legally obscene, the forum spammers could be held liable under federal obscenity laws. Under federal law, Obenberger observed, if you “aid, abet or facilitate a crime, then you are considered just as guilty” as the perpetrator of the crime.

In between the time that XBIZ first conducted the searches on Louisiana.gov referenced above and the writing of this article — approximately 90 minutes — the pages on Labswe.org had been removed, and a search for "porn" on the state government’s site no longer returns links to the pages on Labswe.org. Links to the continuing education forum on Labswe.org also have been disabled.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More