Pornhub And YouPorn Are Adding Support for HTTPS Encryption
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Pornhub And YouPorn Are Adding Support for HTTPS Encryption

Browse like no one's watching.

Porn sites need to have good security. Hackers have repeatedly targeted such sites and made off with user data, including usernames and passwords.

But, although it's not a totally mutually exclusive concept, porn sites should consider the privacy of their users too. On Thursday, both Pornhub and YouPorn announced they were switching on HTTPS on their websites, which protects data in transit between users' browsers and the sites' servers.

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"With this Internet communication protocol we can ensure not only the security of our platform, but also that of our users," Corey Price, vice president of Pornhub, said in a statement. (Both Pornhub and YouPorn are owned by the same parent company, MindGeek.)

HTTPS provides several different benefits: it can protect data entered into a web page, such as passwords, meaning that if a hacker is sitting on the same network as you, they'll be unable to read any intercepted sensitive info. HTTPS may also help users be a bit more sure they are visiting the genuine Pornhub or YouPorn instead of an imposter site, perhaps designed to deliver malware or steal login credentials.

The move also has particular relevance now: on Tuesday, House Republicans voted to allow internet service providers to monetize their customers' browsing histories; HTTPS may provide some protection over that snooping.

"As one of the most viewed websites in the world, it is our duty to ensure the confidentially and safety of our users," Brad Burns, vice president of YouPorn, said in a statement.

Last year Pornhub launched a bug bounty program to allow hackers to identify vulnerabilities in the site in exchange for cash.

Pornhub will switch on HTTPS today, and YouPorn will follow suit next Tuesday, April 4.