Introduction
As the internet evolves, so do the tactics of cybercriminals. Cybercrime is an ever-growing threat, reaching a wide range of activities, from harassment and hacking to identity theft. While the digital age has opened up countless opportunities, it has also brought with it the dark side of cyberspace, where personal boundaries are violated, and privacy is compromised. For adult content creators, the risks are even more amplified, as their work often makes them targets for malicious hackers who exploit their content for profit or personal gain.
At The Internet Café, we had the privilege of speaking with a former adult content creator who experienced firsthand the relentless toll of cybercrime. Their story highlights the dangers of sharing personal content online, the invasive actions of hackers, and the profound emotional impact of having one's privacy stolen and exploited.
This article explores their experience, offering insight into the vulnerabilities many creators face and providing valuable tips on how to protect yourself in digital landscapes.
A Personal Account
The adult content creator, who we will name “Violet”, chose to remain anonymous throughout this article, a decision that speaks volumes about how adult content creation continues to affect her life. Violet carries a sense of shame and remorse for her actions, leading her to keep that chapter of her life hidden from public view
Her journey into adult content creation began at the age of 18 when she began posting artistic nude photos of herself on her Tumblr blog for fun. What started as a way to celebrate the female form through tasteful, creative imagery quickly gained attention, and within her first week on the site, Violet had amassed over 15,000 followers
As her blog’s popularity soared, Violet became more connected with other high-profile adult content creators on Tumblr. Eventually, after receiving numerous requests, she agreed to create adult video content. Though her initial instinct was to keep it sophisticated, the growing attention from fans soon clouded her judgment, and she found herself embracing the spotlight.
Violet’s online presence grew rapidly, and she earned enough for full-time work as an adult content creator. Her success even led her to sell personal items like used underwear, further blurring the lines between her personal and public life. However, as Violet discovered, once we give others access to our lives on the internet, we never truly know who we are letting in.
Cyber Hate: When The Spotlight Turns Toxic
It started small, almost like a rite of passage. Violet convinced herself she could handle the occasional negativity—it was just part of the game, right? Celebrities get hate online all the time, so she figured she was upgrading. At first, the comments didn’t bother her. There was a twisted boost to her ego—attention, even negative, meant she was being seen.
But soon, things took a darker turn. What began as a few unkind remarks turned into persistent harassment. The comments were about her body, her personality, and even her worth as a person. Violet shrugged most of it off, but the constant trolling made her realize ignoring it wasn’t an option anymore. After threats to reach out to her family to expose her adult content work to them, Violet’s once confident stance began to crumble.
The fear of what might happen next left her feeling anxious. In an attempt to regain control, Violet stepped back from making new public content. She instead offered private, higher-priced video orders, limiting sales to only a select few buyers. To her, this was a way to reassert control of her presence online.
Meanwhile, she continued posting to a private Snapchat, charging a one-time fee for access. But as Violet soon discovered, privacy in the digital world was an illusion. Hate was only the beginning of the dangers lurking on the internet.
Fake Accounts and Stolen Identities
For Violet, it started as just another day of checking her Snapchat messages. On her public account, she used censored teasers to promote her private Snapchat, where she sold exclusive content. While she wasn’t particularly interested in the explicit videos that often flooded her inbox—people pleasuring themselves or couples in the act—she occasionally responded to them as a sales tactic, hoping some might lead to paid subscriptions.
But that day, a video message caught her attention. When she opened it, she froze. The video was of her, the same one she had posted to her public story—except the censoring emojis had been removed. Violet was confused and immediately reached out to the account asking if they had gotten the video from her private page, reminding them that sharing it without permission was against her rules. She received no reply.
Within minutes, Violet received multiple messages from different accounts, all showing videos and photos of her without the censors. Concerned, she reported the accounts, but the situation only worsened. Eventually, her account was flagged, reported, and deleted. Violet was left feeling helpless and violated. The game was spiralling out of control.
From Cyberstalked to Real-Life Stalked
Violet’s experience with identity theft ultimately led her to step away from adult content creation. While she initially thought the situation couldn’t get worse, one of her private buyers threatened to use the video they had purchased in the future. On top of that, her videos were being leaked online and could be found on Google.
As the situation spiralled, Violet became more paranoid and regretful of the choices she made online. She never intended to be an adult video creator, but the financial security it provided made her feel more stable about her future. She had kept her face out of nude content, fearing it might come back to haunt her someday. Unfortunately, Violet realized that when we post something publicly online, we never have true control over where it goes.
Frustration and bitterness took over, and she found herself acting in ways she never had before, even scamming a customer by promising a custom video she never delivered. That same buyer later hacked her PayPal account, sending the funds back to themselves months later. Violet chose not to report the incident, feeling guilty for her actions and believing in the laws of karma.
By this point, Violet knew it was time to retire as an adult content creator. This year, she has tried to focus on the positive aspects of her online attention, such as the appreciation from fans who created fan art for her. However, in 2021, she was shocked to meet someone face-to-face who had contacted her years earlier through her blog and private Snapchat account—two years after she had left the adult content world behind.
Face-to-Face with a Hacker: The Real Consequences of Online Obsession
Violet still struggles to understand how it all unfolded. She doesn’t consider herself particularly special, but she recognizes how her experiences can help others.
Her encounter with a stalker began online, though it took her some time to realize the true extent of his obsession. From the moment they met in real life, there was something unsettling about him—a sense that he felt a deeper connection to her than she had with him. Months later, Violet was shown a video on his phone—one she recognized as being from a private buyer on Snapchat. It dawned on her that she had been stalked, and though they had formed a bond, she soon found herself in a deeply uncomfortable and confusing situation, one she couldn’t control.
The stalking and harassment continued for nearly two years. Despite her efforts to minimize their interactions, the situation escalated. Eventually, Violet was forced to obtain a restraining order, which led to her stalker fleeing her home country.
In a statement to her solicitor, Violet documented over ten pages of harassment, including 30 separate incidents of stalking and abuse. She notes that there were even more examples she chose to leave out. The ordeal left Violet with lasting physical and emotional scars—she now suffers from tinnitus as a result of a physical attack. While she is undergoing treatment with medical professionals, the only respite she has is sound therapy, aimed at helping her cope with the emotional toll of the condition.
A year after taking legal action, Violet feels more stable. She admits that the fear of leaving her house and the toll on her mental health once kept her from working. Now, she wants to share her story. She may not think of herself as famous, but her experience proves a crucial point: anyone on the internet can become a victim of cybercrime.
Conclusion: Staying Safe Online
Since her experience, Violet has become far more cautious about what she shares online. She carefully considers every post and is selective about who she interacts with or trusts on the internet. One of the biggest changes she’s made is completely stopping the practice of taking nude photos, urging others to think seriously about the risks of sharing intimate images on electronic devices. She has also distanced herself from adult content, emphasizing that what is portrayed online is not real life and that creating adult content comes with significant risks.
Cybersecurity is a growing field that plays a crucial role in protecting us, but personal safety starts with the choices we make online. Violet continues to focus on rebuilding her mental health after the trauma caused by cybercrime. Her goal is to move forward with her career aspirations and leave her past behind.
As technology evolves, more individuals will have the opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities, making everyone more vulnerable to privacy breaches—often without even realizing it. It's essential to think carefully about the information we share and the digital footprints we leave behind.
** If you have been a victim of cybercrime please report it to your local authorities. **
