Is BitTorrent Safe? Must-Know Facts
BitTorrent has a lot to consider when you are using it – it is indeed very convenient and a little worry at the same time. This is due to the fact that BitTorrent is a decentralised service and this implies that virtually anyone can join the network and begin to share files. BitTorrent in itself operates by ensuring that users can share files between themselves, without the need to use central server to take care of things. This is a good thing to many people like you but a bad thing about the bad fellows in the world who will be more than happy to make the use of BitTorrent in their own evil manners. At some time, you have most likely wondered: is BitTorrent safe to use? Hang about and we will tell you what.
A Brief History of BitTorrent
One of the most common file sharing protocols is BitTorrent. It has changed the manner in which individuals download files online- and that is not an exaggeration. As opposed to the old-fashioned process of downloading, when everything happens via one server, BitTorrent allows you to get files offered by dozens of various sources simultaneously. This peer to peer network system has the advantage of downloading files being much faster, as well as being considerably more effective when it comes to the dissemination of large files such as movies, software and books.
The first thing that you need to do to begin using BitTorrent is to install a BitTorrent client such as uTorrent or qBittorrent. After that is sorted out, you can begin using your internet connection through your home internet service provider to access torrent files or magnet links elsewhere on the web like The Pirate Bay or Public Domain Torrents. There are numerous torrents on these sites, some of which are in the public domain and open source programs and software – hence you can find a file that you want easily.
The fact that BitTorrent is decentralised is one of its advantages, but it can also be a strong disadvantage. Although streaming services are now extremely popular, BitTorrent still stays in the list of preferred ones among those individuals who have to download or share large files at high speed and efficiency.
The Risks of Using BitTorrent
The short answer to your question is… well, it’s complicated. Yes, BitTorrent isn’t necessarily safe to use – but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it without putting your online security at risk. Unfortunately there are some pretty significant risks involved. Because when you use BitTorrent, you’re exposing your IP address to other users on the network – and that can lead to all sorts of problems.
- Hacker attacks. Your innocent BitTorrent client can end up getting caught up in a big cyber crime – and researchers from the University of London have confirmed that popular clients like uTorrent and Vuze are vulnerable to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. Hackers can exploit the peer-to-peer file sharing protocols, and before you know it your device could be involved in a massive hacking operation without you even realising it. And if you upload files to the network, you could be exposing your device to even more security risks.
- Phishing. Another risk of using BitTorrent is that you might end up downloading a torrent file from a phishing site that steals your personal information and records of your online activity. As a result, your private data – including geolocation, contact info and all sorts of other personal info – could end up in the wrong hands just because you wanted to download a file from a dodgy torrent site. And since you’re downloading files from other users, you can never be 100% sure that they’re trustworthy – which increases the risk of encountering malicious files.
- Malware. BitTorrent also allows you to spread malware since it allows you to share files. It is using this that hackers were able to propagate a crypto-mining malware named Dofoli to infect more than 400,000 Windows computers. The hackers discovered how to propagate Dofoli in the updates of MediaGet client – and due to that, thousands of users installed an infected update that was a fake version and dispersed the malware throughout the network. Malware or infected files are a rather usual threat associated with Bit Torrent because malicious files can be masked as normal ones. And also, when you download bad programs, you might have viruses or mules in your files so then make sure that you update your antivirus program and also scan all files that you download to see whether they have viruses or not before opening them.
- Internet Service Provider (ISP) throttling. Some ISPs can slow down your internet connection if they think you’re using BitTorrent for file sharing – even though it’s not necessarily a threat to your digital security. It’s just that your ISP may see p2p file sharing as against their terms of service – so be aware that your internet connection speed might be affected.
Staying Out of Trouble With the Law
Legal environment File sharing is an area where it is paramount to know how the legal world operates when you are engaging in BitTorrent. The purchase of copyrighted content without authorization is unlawful in numerous nations – and may impose a fine or a lawsuit. Internet service providers are perpetually monitoring torrenting activities and once they detect you downloading a copyrighted content or any other content that is illegal, they may send you a warning, limit your bandwidth, or even block your account.
To stay out of trouble with the law, all you have to do is ensure that you are downloading or sharing files containing legal content – such as the public domain or creative commons-licensed works. When you are not sure whether a certain file is worth the sharing, it is always worth doing your research and making sure that it is not a copyrighted one.
Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can Help Keep Your Torrenting Activity Private
Using a virtual private network (VPN) can go a long way in protecting your identity and keeping your torrenting activity under wraps from your ISP and other third parties. Although a VPN can provide some level of protection, it’s still no guarantee that you won’t face the legal music if you get caught downloading copyrighted material. So, the safest bet is to stick with torrents that are 100 percent legit and be aware of the file sharing laws in your area.
How to Stay Safe While Torrenting with BitTorrent
BitTorrent is a slightly hazardous affair – there are more than enough dangers out there that will gladly get a hold on you. This is why you should take those steps to ensure that you are using BitTorrent in a way that is safe in addition to reducing the risks. The following are some of the suggestions that will see you through the Bit Torrent landscape with a little more confidence:
- Always Use the Trustworthy Sites – As far as downloading torrents is concerned, you should be selective of the websites to use. The downloading should only be done in those sites which you have had a good experience with and in case you are unsure of a site then it would not be a bad idea to do a little research first before you start downloading. Others are created to appear genuine yet they are only malware farms or phishing attempts that are waiting to strike.
- Don’t Fall in Love with Pop-Up Ads and Banners – It is a trap: a site may appear valid, but nonetheless, pop-up advertisements and banners are offering the moon on a silver platter. They are just sometimes a trap to entice you into a pit and then you will find yourself giving out your personal details or downloading viruses.
- Watch out on Torrent Files Size and Type – Hackers tend to stick malware to the popular sites related to BitTorrent hence you should be keen on the size and the type of files that you are downloading. When the size of a video file, which is in an executable format, is a few megabytes then that is a red flag. You should not download it, you should trust your gut and put a stop to the download and then, you should feel safer than sorry.
- Always remember to have your antivirus on – You also need to ensure that your antivirus software is on whenever you are downloading torrents. In this manner, in case you do go ahead to download malware, your antivirus software will be on the alert ready to intercept them and notify you about the issue at hand.
- Install a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – A VPN is an essential tool to all individuals willing to make their Torrenting activities a secret. It codes your entire traffic and conceals your IP address, and it will be extremely difficult to track you down by hackers and snoopers.
All this care notwithstanding, the speed at which you can download remains susceptible to the seeders/leeches on a specific torrent, and the trustworthiness of the source of that torrent. That is the reason why you can always download on good websites with large number of seeders – it will not only get the maximum download speed but will also enhance a better experience overall.
However, a good BitTorrent VPN service has much more than a bit of encryption and remote server to log in to. We shall now have a closer look into what a good VPN product is able to offer to the table in terms of your torrenting needs.
Why You Should Use a VPN with BitTorrent
Using a reliable VPN for BitTorrent will not only resolve all your security-related worries but also provide a whole host of other useful features that will help keep you safe while torrenting. Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect from a top-tier VPN product:
- AES 256-bit Encryption – This is widely regarded as the gold standard of encryption protocols – it’s the same level of encryption used by the US government and the NSA to protect classified information.\
- IP Address Hiding – By connecting to a remote server, you can mask your IP address and make it much harder for hackers and snoopers to track you down.\
- Blocking Malware and Pop-Up Ads – A good VPN service will not only encrypt your data but also detect malware and pop-up ads on websites you visit and block them before they can do any harm.\
- Fast Connection Speed – Despite what you might have heard, top-tier VPN services can actually enhance your connection speed using the WireGuard protocol.\
- Kill Switch – If your VPN connection drops for any reason, a good VPN service will have an automatic kill switch that blocks your internet access and prevents hackers from exploiting the situation to steal your personal info.* Servers and Availability. When it comes to a VPN app that’s worth your attention, one of the key features you should be on the lookout for is a wide range of servers, located in diverse spots around the world. If lots of people are trying to connect to the same server at the same time, the connection speed can really take a hit. But with a good number of servers available, the chances of that happening are a lot lower, and your overall experience and reliability of the VPN service will be that much better.
- No Logs Policy. If you’re in the market for a VPN provider that you can actually trust, then look for one that has a strict No Logs policy – that means they’re not going to be snooping around your online activities or selling your info on to any third parties.
- Access to Content. One of the nice little extras that comes with using a good VPN is the ability to access your favorite shows and games while you’re traveling abroad. There are a lot of countries out there that will block access to certain websites and content, but with a good VPN you can essentially trick the internet into thinking you’re still at home.
The thing is, a lot of free VPN services just don’t have what it takes to deliver the kind of features that you need – like fast connection speeds and reliable protection of your personal info from third parties. If you want a VPN that’s actually going to deliver, then you need to look at paying for a premium service. And that’s exactly what we recommend – VeePN, a top-notch VPN for BitTorrent users that’s got all of the features you could possibly want. With VeePN, you get access to a massive network of 2,500 plus servers across 89 locations in 60 different countries, and it’s fully compatible with all the major platforms. And of course, there’s the added bonus of Double VPN, which encrypts your data not once but twice for the ultimate in security.
The Benefits of BitTorrent
BitTorrent is often looked at as a pretty high-risk activity, but the truth is – it also has a lot of benefits that make it really attractive to users who want to share files or download large files quickly. First and foremost, the decentralized model that BitTorrent uses means that files are downloaded from lots of different peers at the same time, which speeds things up no end. And not only does that make it faster, but it also helps cut down on bandwidth costs for both users and content distributors.
BitTorrent is especially handy for distributing large files – like open-source software, independent films, or educational resources. By using a reputable BitTorrent client and following safe torrenting practices, you can really get a lot out of the platform – including the ability to share files directly with others, which can be a real game-changer for collaboration.
And one more thing – BitTorrent has a lot of totally legal content available, like public domain works and files shared under creative commons licenses. When used responsibly, BitTorrent can be a really valuable resource for downloading and sharing files quickly and efficiently.
Finding a Seedbox That’s Right for You
To get a higher level of torrenting experience, then you should acquire a seedbox. A seedbox is a remote server which allows access to downloading and uploading files safely and anonymously. Through a seedbox, you will be able to have speeds that are a lot faster and the activity of torrenting cannot be linked to your home internet system in any way, that is an added security to the entire operation.
There are several factors that you will consider when buying a provider of seedboxes. You will be interested to ensure that they have a high download bandwidth, they have got lots of storage space to share and they have a no logs policy. You will also of course wish to ensure that they have got the features you require to keep safe online. The seedbox providers as Seedbox.io and RapidSeedbox are surely worth trying.
By having a seedbox, you will be able to have a high speed download to the remote server, and then move the files onto your device using secure protocols. Not only does that speed things up but also, it will make your privacy intact – and your ISP cannot throttle or spy on your activity. A seedbox is a prudent purchase to anyone with serious intentions of the same to share files safer, faster and anonymously.
Get the Best Torrenting Experience with VeePN
Look – BitTorrent is definitely not perfect when it comes to security, and there are definitely plenty of threats out there that you’re going to want to be on the lookout for. But the good news is – with a bit of vigilance and a top-notch VPN like VeePN, you can keep yourself safe while still enjoying the benefits of BitTorrent.
So there you have it – this article, and VeePN, which is the perfect combination for a safe and secure BitTorrent experience. With VeePN on your side, you get not only a fast and secure connection, but also some extra security tools like NetGuard, an antimalware app, and antivirus software to keep your device protected.
Pick yourself a VeePN pricing plan right now, and not only will you be getting a great secure torrenting experience – but you’ll also have a 30 day money-back guarantee if you decide you’re not happy with any of it.
Is BitTorrent Safe?
BitTorrent itself is a legitimate file-sharing protocol and software, and it is not inherently a virus. However, the files shared through BitTorrent may contain malware or viruses, so it’s important to download from trustworthy sources and use reliable antivirus software to scan downloaded files for potential threats.
BitTorrent and uTorrent are essentially the same in terms of safety, as both are owned by the same company. The key to safety lies in downloading files from reputable sources and maintaining good cybersecurity practices, regardless of whether you use BitTorrent or uTorrent.
We recommend using VeePN — a trustworthy VPN service that will shield your data, hide your IP address, and protect your computer from malware. Follow these simple steps to safeguard yourself with VeePN:
- Go to https://veepn.com/pricing/ to get a subscription if you haven’t yet.
- Create an account or sign in.
- Download the app for a platform you need and install it on your device.
- Launch the VeePN app.
- Select a remote server you need or simply choose the Optimal Location.
- Turn VeePN on.
- Use BitTorrent safely!
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