Investigating Malware Epidemiology and Child Exploitation Using Algorithmic Ethnography

Abstract

A number of recent studies have investigated the role that advertising plays in funding and sustaining piracy sites. In this study, the composition of advertising on piracy websites hosting Child Exploitation Material (CEM) in Brazil was analysed, measuring both mainstream and "high-risk" ads 1 using samples generated from the most-complained about sites, as well as the most popular sites, using algorithmic ethnography. The results indicated that high-risk ads pose significant problems for Brazilian users, especially children, who may be harmed by exposure to ads promoting the sex industry, gambling, scams and malware. Links between Brazil-focused piracy websites and CEM are documented. Policy options for dealing with this issue are discussed. CEM poses a threat not only to the children depicted in it but also to children who might be exposed to it. Indeed, any viewer who is exposed to CEM may experience adverse psychological and behavioral consequences.

Lawless space theory for online child sexual exploitation material offending

“…Differential association includes learning motives, drives, rationalizations, and attitudes (Sutherland et al, 1992), but also techniques and countermeasures. Similar effects would apply equally to online CSEM consumers in virtual environments, and there is significant overlap between the piracy community and the CSEM offender community, with pirate sites providing another mechanism for CSEM acquisition (Watters, 2018).…”

Measuring Human Resilience in the Face of the Global Epidemiology of Cyber Attacks

“…To make this contribution, we enumerate the critical dimensions of human behavior that have been identified in previous work [6]. Here, the focus is on individuals, and not on organizations or teams.…”