Is Bootleg Porn Threatening National Security?

LOS ANGELES — Of all the headlines coming from the "war on terror," one that hasn't had much media play is the security threat posed by illegal file traders and bootleg-porn DVD collectors within the U.S. armed forces.

Recently, Washington Post military correspondent Tom Ricks reported on the problem of a "porno virus" being spread by both American and Iraqi military personnel that have obtained and are now trading illegally copied DVDs.

The discs are typically obtained at Iraqi markets known as "souks," but their true origins are less clear — although most reports single out China as the dominant source of pirated adult materials.

Regardless of where the duplication takes place, however, it is clear that an opportunity exists for terrorist networks and foreign governments alike to inject malicious software into these discs that may be used to cripple military networks — and/or reveal sensitive materials to the malware's authors.

Ricks quoted Army Reserve Capt. Michael Noonan on the seriousness of the problem and some of the mechanisms by which it is spreading throughout the Iraqi theatre.

"I left behind my collection of 'souk' DVDs to my replacement, but guys who watched them on their laptops didn't seem to have problems with them — of course, I warned guys that they were risking giving their PCs 'RAM rot,' to coin a phrase, from doing so, because who knows what else was on those CDs," Noonan said. "Due to the average Iraqi Army soldier's love of pornography, my memory stick would be filthy with viruses every time I had to go and get documents from my counterpart or his section NCOs."

While the video files contained on these discs, such as .vob files, are typically not executable, other files, such as a malicious autorun.inf file, may be included on the disc and automatically executed at runtime without the user's knowledge.

Memory sticks and other removable media types are also vulnerable, and commonly shared among personnel. They then can connect these tainted devices to computers containing classified materials or performing mission-critical tasks.

Compounding the problem are the efforts of misguided American legislators and the dictates of our military leaders that seek to placate the official cultural sensibilities of the host countries, which often prohibit adult materials on religious grounds.

For example, Georgia Republican Rep. Paul Broun recently introduced a bill banning the sale of softcore adult magazines on military bases, stating that, "Allowing the sale of pornography on military bases has harmed military men and women by escalating the number of violent, sexual crimes, feeding a base addiction, eroding the family as the primary building block of society, and denigrating the moral standing of our troops both here and abroad."

Broun's ideology won't change human nature; it will, however, work to the benefit of our enemies and to the detriment of our troops' morale.

Related:  

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

Beca Barbie Makes Her Hookup Hotshot Debut

Beca Barbie has made her debut for Hookup Hotshot alongside Nade Nasty.

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Valerica Steele Headlines Jonni Darkko's 'DVP Sluts'

Valerica Steele toplines director Jonni Darkko’s “DVP Sluts,” from Evil Angel.

Michael Ninn Returns With 'Catherine' Sequel Made Entirely by AI

Veteran filmmaker Michael Ninn, though retired from the adult business for the past 10 years, recently unveiled a new episodic project titled "Catherine II: The Series," which serves as a sequel to his 2005 adult film "Catherine."

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

Alison Rey Stars in Latest From New Sensations

Alison Rey stars with Isiah Maxwell in the latest release from New Sensations.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

Bad Bella Fronts Latest From MYLF

Bad Bella stars with Hayden Wild in the latest release from MYLF.

Show More