If you’re going to watch porn online — and who doesn’t? — then you should do so safely and anonymously.
There are a few steps you can take to enhance your privacy:
- Use a VPN. A VPN is critical to keep you safe and anonymize your browsing habits.
- Browse in incognito mode. It’s not enough in isolation, but it’ll hide your Google searches.
- Use reliable antivirus software. Don’t risk malware from a porn site.
- Don’t log into personal accounts. You could risk sharing data with third parties.
- Avoid creating porn site accounts. Porn websites collect a lot of data.
- Be wary of subscription sites. Scammers are rife on OnlyFans.
- Use anti-tracker software. Avoid targeted ads and data leaks.
If you take one thing away from this, it should be to use a VPN to watch porn safely and anonymously. It’ll keep your data safe, hide your online browsing activity, and even unblock porn in conservative countries.
We recommend using NordVPN for watching porn, as it provides unlimited data and zero data logging.
Below, you’ll find more information and tips for keeping yourself safe and anonymous when watching porn online.
Watching porn online doesn’t have to put your privacy and security at risk. If you take the right steps to keep yourself protected, you minimize the chances of endangering yourself and your device.
There are many potential problems when watching porn online. People might, for example, spy on your browsing activities and use this information to blackmail you. Most porn sites also gather your data, including your IP address and location.
In June 2023, activists with the StopDataPorn initiative filed a complaint arguing that Pornhub’s data practices violate the GDPR. The group accused the site of collecting, processing and sharing user data with third parties without consent.
Fortunately, there are tools that address these issues. VPNs will protect your data from getting collected and hide your browsing activity from prying eyes.
Keep reading below to find our full list of tips on watching porn safely.
How to Watch Porn Safely: 7 Tips
There are seven crucial steps to take when watching porn anonymously and safely.
1. Browse in incognito mode
Your browsing history could easily be exposed if somebody else uses your computer.
As such, we advise using incognito mode or private browsing when watching porn. This way, your searches aren’t stored by your browser, which means people who use the same computer won’t know what you were doing.
Starting a new session in incognito mode will also log you out of any accounts you’re usually signed into. This further limits third parties’ ability to track you online.
Note:
Incognito mode won’t hide your IP address or browser activity from third parties, such as internet service providers. To do that, you’ll need a VPN.
2. Use a VPN to watch porn anonymously
A virtual private network (VPN) hides your identity, internet traffic, and browsing habits entirely by masking your real IP address.
Using a VPN to change your IP address does the following:
- Watch porn without the risk of being spied on. VPNs stop hackers, your government, and your ISP from seeing what you do online.
- Circumvent bans on porn sites. Your VPN will unblock content that’s normally unavailable in your location.
- Escape data and bandwidth throttling from your ISP. If you suspect that your internet service provider throttles your data whenever you watch porn, then a VPN is the solution.
- Protect you from intrusive data collection. Since VPNs encrypt your data, porn sites won’t be able to collect any sensitive data from you.
Below, we’ve highlighted some other use cases where a VPN will help you watch porn safely and without restrictions.
| Scenario | Benefit |
|---|---|
| You’re logged into public Wi-Fi | Watching porn on a hotel’s Wi-Fi can get you banned. When you use a VPN, the Wi-Fi network admin can’t see which websites you’re visiting, so you’re free to watch porn content. |
| You work from home | Some corporate software lets employers spy on network activity, even if you’re using a personal device. A VPN will stop any corporate spyware from flagging adult websites accessed on a smartphone or tablet. |
| You live with family | In some cases, an ISP may actually disclose limited browsing information to parents. But with a VPN, there’ll be no trace of your online footsteps. |
Based on our studies of dozens of VPNs, we recommend NordVPN as the best VPN for adult surfing.
NordVPN aced all our tests in speed, security, privacy, and user-friendliness, more than any other VPN. It also flawlessly unblocks any restricted content, even tough-to-crack streaming services like Netflix.
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
3. Use a proven antivirus to prevent malware
Because of their popularity, porn sites are frequently used to distribute dangerous malware. This is particularly true of smaller, lesser-known porn sites.
A common method of attack is via pop-up ads. In some cases, when the ad opens, a malicious download is initiated. These malware injections are called “drive-by downloads.”
Good antivirus software will recognize and stop malware attacks before they can harm your system. Look for an antivirus scanner with real-time detection and ad-blocking capabilities, such as Norton 360.
Norton 360 is a leading real-time antivirus that we regularly test and compare against industry benchmarks. It provides comprehensive security for Windows and Mac devices, with additional privacy and security features. In addition to an ad blocker, you also get a password manager, a dark web monitor, and secure cloud storage.
If you want to know more about this stellar antivirus program first, you can read our full Norton 360 review, which discusses all of its features.
4. Don’t log into any accounts before visiting a porn site
Many porn sites rely on your other accounts to gather data on you. It even says so right there in PornHub’s privacy policy:
“Use of Google Analytics. We use Google as a service provider to collect and analyze information about how users use the Websites, including by collecting website activity data through first-party cookies set by our domains, and third-party cookies set by Google.”
PornHub’s Privacy Policy
To prevent this, don’t log into any website from the same private window you use to watch porn, especially your Facebook account or your email.
You can also change your Google privacy settings to some extent, reducing how effectively Google can track you.
5. Don’t create accounts on porn sites
We also advise against creating and logging into an account on a porn site, as porn sites also collect user data. Popular adult video site PornHub, for instance, gathers your payment information (credit card details, etc.), personal information (your birthday, age, gender, etc.), and biometric information, among others.
In short, online services gather plenty of information about you if you register or log into an account. We strongly recommend not creating an account if you want to watch porn privately.
6. Beware subscription websites like OnlyFans
OnlyFans has exploded in popularity over the last few years, reaching 188 million users as of 2023.
And while there are many legitimate content creators on the platform, it’s still important to remain vigilant to stay safe on OnlyFans or similar websites.
Scammers can impersonate popular personalities on these websites. If you’re not careful, you might end up talking to an imposter who’s trying to con you out of your money. Stay educated on these common OnlyFans scams listed below.
| Scam | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Personal requests | Premium models often offer to take requests for an additional fee. We’ve seen reports of some models taking additional payments without following through on their promises. |
| Guilt-tripping | Some imposter accounts have used heart-wrenching, fake stories to encourage new signups, such as homelessness or unemployment. Once enough people sign up and give them money, they disappear. |
| Free OnlyFans subscriptions | At the time of writing, free subscriptions don’t exist. We advise against clicking on links or downloading apps that promise a free OnlyFans subscription. |
Remember that models on these websites, in many cases, get inundated with messages from their fans. If you receive special attention from a model, treat any communications with caution, as it could be a copycat account.
7. Use anti-tracking browser extensions
Even with the above tips, you still need to watch out for cookies and trackers. Starting a new incognito session means starting from a clean slate with no cookies. But keep using that session, and they’ll eventually build up in your browser.
Note:
Advertising companies focus heavily on delivering targeted ads. If you become tracked while watching porn, you could see adult adverts across all of your devices.
Certain browser extensions can greatly increase your privacy by blocking ads, cookies, and tracking scripts. We reviewed and ranked the best ad blocking software, too, extending your options for preventing tracking.
The Best VPN for Porn: Our Top 3 Picks
If you’re looking for a VPN to lock your data away from hackers, check out our list below. We rounded up some of our top-ranking VPNs based on years of reviews and tests.
These three are all no-log VPNs, meaning they won’t track your porn browsing. They also offer unlimited data for watching videos.
NordVPN and Surfshark are perfect for bypassing porn blocks in conservative countries, while Proton VPN is our top choice for a free VPN.
1. NordVPN: The best VPN to watch porn safely and anonymously
NordVPN is our top-ranking VPN for porn. You won’t have to wait for videos to buffer — NordVPN won’t slow your connection down by any noticeable amount. It stores no logs of your data or browsing activity, and all you need is an email address to sign up.
Worried about somebody seeing your bank statement? Pay using crypto for complete discretion.
Here are some of the other features offered by NordVPN:
- Obfuscated servers help you circumvent the most stringent internet blocks and disguise the fact that you’re using a VPN.
- Over 5,400 servers to choose from mean you don’t run the risk of server congestion and video buffering.
- Threat Protection prevents you from downloading infected files or visiting malicious websites.
On the fence? Thanks to its money-back guarantee, you’ve got 30 days to claim your money back when you pull the trigger.
2. Surfshark: The cheapest VPN for watching porn safely
For years, Surfshark has been one of the cheapest premium VPN providers available. Its fast streaming speeds and high level of privacy will help you watch your favorite adult videos anonymously and without any loading.
If you’re concerned about how to watch porn safely and anonymously, here’s some reassurance from us:
- A kill switch ensures that your private videos remain private should your VPN connection drop briefly.
- Unlimited connections let you watch whatever you want, wherever and whenever you want.
- NoBorders mode boasts some of the strongest porn-unblocking technology available in a VPN.
Even better, if you’re not satisfied (which we highly doubt), much like with NordVPN, you can get your money back within 30 days.
For more information about Surfshark and how it works, check out our Surfshark review.
3. Proton VPN: Free VPN for watching porn anonymously
Although most free VPNs aren’t ideal for watching porn videos, there’s one exception, and that’s Proton VPN. This is the only free provider we recommend as it has unlimited data and zero logs.
Here are some Proton VPN features that make it a great choice for watching porn anonymously:
- Unlimited data allows you to watch any amount of porn you want.
- Free servers in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands provide decent connections worldwide.
- Smart Protocol and Alternative Routing help you circumvent the censorship of porn sites.
Unfortunately, like any free VPN, Proton VPN does come with some disadvantages. First, Proton VPN Free only gives you access to three server locations. Second, you’ll be sharing the servers at these locations with all other Proton VPN Free users. This can create serious drops in speed because of high server loads.
To use a VPN without these limits, we suggest opting for Proton VPN Premium. Alternatively, you can try one of the premium providers we mentioned above.
Safety and Privacy Risks of Watching Porn Online
Online porn and adult content are more common than ever, with an estimated 40 million adults in the US regularly visiting porn sites.
Sadly, any digital growth attracts cybercriminals in droves. If you’re not taking precautions, your browser history and internet activity could be visible to other people. Worst case: you could be infected with malware or have your identity or money stolen.
We’ve compiled some safety and privacy risks associated with watching porn online below.
1. Your private browsing history isn’t completely private
You probably want to keep your porn preferences private. But if you aren’t using a VPN for porn, you could have a whole audience behind you.
Below, you’ll find which of your data can be accessed by third parties and what you can do to stop them.
| Third Party | What Data They See | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Your network administrator | What websites you visit, the webpage content you view (on HTTP webpages), people you contact over the internet, what apps you have installed, and how much time you spend on each app | Use a VPN to hide your online activity, and only visit websites that use HTTPS |
| Your internet service provider | What websites you visit (if you visit HTTP sites), the specific web pages, and any content that’s on them and that you provide | Use a VPN to encrypt your data and DNS requests and avoid visiting HTTP websites |
| Bad actors on the same network (such as hackers) | What websites and web pages (on HTTP sites) you visit and what you do on them | Either avoid public Wi-Fi or use an encryption tool such as a VPN or the Tor browser |
| Other parties | What web pages you visited (cookies and trackers) or even how you interacted with those pages (browser fingerprinting) | Use browser extensions that block trackers and cookies, and take steps to make browser fingerprinting more difficult |
The reason we recommend VPNs is that they’re an all-in-one solution for most privacy issues. With just one subscription, you can solve all the above problems and reap the other benefits of having a VPN, such as being able to unblock Netflix.
2. Porn websites experience data breaches, too
If you frequently visit adult websites and those sites experience a data breach, your data and privacy could be at risk. This isn’t a hypothetical risk either; it’s happened before.
One of the most high-profile data breaches occurred in 2015. Hackers accessed the online dating agency Ashley Madison’s database, releasing user information to the public.
As a result, millions of cases of infidelity were revealed, along with heaps of sensitive personal information.
More recently, webcam porn site MyFreeCams experienced a serious data breach in 2021. Allegedly, over 2,000,000 user accounts were compromised.
Leaks are more common than you think:
A 2019 Microsoft study looked at nearly 22,500 porn websites. Around 93% were leaking data to at least one third party.
If a data breach occurs and reveals your porn habits, this could have a devastating impact on your reputation or relationships. So, avoid making accounts on porn sites that you visit. That way, if the website suffers a data breach, your name and other information won’t be exposed along with it.
3. You can get malware and viruses from porn sites
Site owners can inject malware into a pornographic website. This is most common on small porn sites that were specifically created to draw in victims.
Another common scenario is when a malicious third party finds a security vulnerability or exploit on a porn website. They can abuse this vulnerability and inject malicious scripts into the website’s code.
In any event, visiting such porn sites could infect your system with dangerous malware, such as ransomware, spyware, or browser hijackers.
Warning:
Many of the dangerous scripts that can infect your device are hidden in malicious ads. If you’re on a porn site that has lots of ads, avoid clicking on them. Better yet, get an ad blocker for your browser so you don’t see ads altogether.
To protect yourself against malware, we recommend getting reliable antivirus software like Bitdefender. You can also check out our article on the best antivirus solutions for more options.
Porn Censorship: Is Porn Illegal Where You Live?
In some countries, watching porn is illegal and can therefore get you into trouble with the law. In such cases, we recommend complying with your local legislation to avoid fines or worse consequences.
In countries where porn is frowned upon culturally, a VPN will be more than enough to hide your activities and protect your reputation.
Here’s an overview of some countries and their stances on pornography.
| Country | Stance on porn |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | While the law is not often enforced, people who download porn could face up to four years in prison. |
| North Korea | A report by the Seoul-based Database Centre for North Korean Human Rights (NKDB) suggests porn consumers are “punished with a lifetime term of ‘reform through labor’ or even executed by firing squad.” |
| Oman | Anyone found to use technology to “procure” (obtain) or purchase pornography could be imprisoned for between one month and one year. They could also face a fine of 100 to 1000 Omani Rials (about $2,500). |
| United Arab Emirates | According to a prominent Emirati law firm, some people have been jailed for a month and received a fine for having pornographic DVDs in their possession. |
| Vietnam | Possession of pornography in Vietnam could get you fined or detained. However, if you don’t possess pornography in physical form (DVDs, magazines, etc.), it’s unlikely you’ll get in trouble. |
There are also plenty of countries where watching porn might not get you into trouble, but porn sites are censored. In these countries, producing or distributing porn generally may also be illegal.
Other countries where porn is either banned or illegal include:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- China
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- Thailand
- Turkmenistan
- Yemen
While there’s no ban on accessing porn in the U.S., some states, namely Louisiana and Utah, have enacted legislation that requires users to provide IDs before they can access porn sites. Several other states are considering similar laws, and Utah’s legislation was passed in 2023.
PornHub unavailable in Utah: How to access PornHub in Utah
Warning:
Be wary of using software to get around government legislation. Technically, you’ll be breaking a law, even though it’s unlikely anything would come of it.
On May 3, 2023, Utah introduced a new law that required adult sites to verify users’ agess. Two days before the law came into effect, PornHub blocked access for anyone living in Utah.
We imagine that the website saw this as a simpler approach than implementing a process or system to verify people’s age. Still, it begs the question: how do you access PornHub in Utah?
It’s simple. Since this kind of geographical block relies on blocking Utah IP addresses, use NordVPN to change your IP address to a different state. It’s that simple. Choose a VPN server in another US state or another country entirely, and you can get back to your browsing.
Conclusion: VPNs Are Crucial for Safe, Anonymous Porn Watching
Most of us will watch porn at least once in our lives, and when we do, we should make sure to keep our activities private and our devices secure.
To watch porn safely and anonymously, follow these tips:
- Browse in incognito mode.
- Use a good VPN.
- Use solid antivirus software.
- Don’t log into any accounts.
- Avoid creating new accounts on porn websites.
- Be cautious on subscription sites like OnlyFans.
- Use browser extensions that increase your privacy.
If you make sure to take all of the precautions above, you’ll be able to watch porn online anonymously and safely.
Do you have more questions about how to watch porn anonymously? Here are our frequently asked questions.
No, using incognito mode alone is not enough to watch porn safely and anonymously. It might hide your searches from your own computer, but your IP address, operating system, and tons of other information can still be viewed by websites and other parties.
For true protection, we recommend using NordVPN combined with a good antivirus software, like Norton 360. This will ensure that you remain anonymous, while avoiding malware and other cyber threats.
To browse and watch porn completely anonymously, we strongly suggest that you use a VPN like NordVPN. Also:
- Browse in incognito mode.
- Install strong antivirus software.
- Don’t log into any accounts before opening a porn site.
- Don’t sign up for accounts on porn sites.
- Be wary of OnlyFans and similar platforms.
- Using anti-tracking browser extensions.
If you want to watch porn anonymously, you need a VPN. We also recommend using solid antivirus software. This way, you avoid these risks:
- Other parties, such as your ISP, seeing that you are watching porn
- Getting arrested for watching porn in a country where it is illegal
- Contracting a virus or other type of malware from a porn site
