Universities buy .xxx domain names

A number of universities in the US have purchased x-rated domain names as part of a ''defensive maneuver'' to stop pornography practitioners using them.

Universities in the US have purchased x-rated domain names to prevent pornography practitioners from using them.

Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, Chicago State University and Illinois State University have all bought .xxx domain names as a "defensive maneuver", according to the Chicago Tribune.

Chicago State spokeswoman Deborah Douglas said: "I think you can look at the 'Girls Gone Wild' phenomenon and figure [adult Web sites] may aim at the college-aged demographic.

"We need to protect the integrity of our students and our brand. Porn and parasite, you can put those in the same sentence."