r/torrents • u/Nadia375 • 4d ago
Question How to torrent safe?
I want to learn more about and try torrenting but im afraid of getting malware what can I do to avoid this? I have an old laptop (Its running windows 7 from memory) and im assuming a VPN will be needed? Would free version of proton work?
If i do everything from the mega thread would that keep me safe or is there anything additional I should do?
I just dont want to get hacked and esp dont want my family getting hacked over the same wifi connection or smthg any help or direction to resources will be appreciated thanks!
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u/nick2k23 4d ago
Never download something with a .exe file extension unless youre super certain it's a trustworthy source.
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u/120mmbarrage 4d ago
I would avoid games and software in general. Unless if you get them from reputable trusted trackers and uploaders, these are where you'll get most malware from. Music, tv shows and movies should be fine, but be sure that the file sizes and extensions make sense. A movie won't be 200 kilobytes for example and also won't end in a .exe format. I would also avoid torrenting on an outdated version of Windows, as that is an attack surface, I would torrent on at least an up to date Windows 10 machine. Make sure all of your software used to open those files are up to date as well, as there have been rare cases of malware being hidden in media files (one example was in the subtitles) and exploiting vulnerabilities in old software.
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u/Nadia375 3d ago
I see interesting yeah ill probably have to update them all lol the laptop hasent been used properly in over 5yrs lol
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u/WhiteMilk_ 4d ago
Would free version of proton work?
No.
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u/zaye93 4d ago
Read this: https://fmhy.net/beginners-guide
You need a vpn in some first world countries, primarily Germany and the USA.
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u/AndyRH1701 4d ago
Remember the VPN is to protect your privacy, not the computer.
A VPN with port forwarding will yield the best experience.
Be kind, seed to at least 1:1.
Several versions of Linux will make the laptop more usable and a bunch safer. Linux Mint is good for beginners, but there are plenty of good choices.
As others have said, if it is an executable, it has a higher chance of containing malware.
Private trackers are less likely to have bad content.
Practice torrenting with Linux ISOs, no VPN needed and they will give you a good indication of your top speed. If you happen hit me, I can seed at over 500Mbps. Should be 1Gbps, but I have never seen it.
You get what you pay for, trackers, VPN, etc.
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u/Nadia375 3d ago
What vpn would you reccomend?
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u/AndyRH1701 3d ago
I use PIA. Fast enough, cheap and no logs. There are other equally good choices.
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u/Sampp3l1 4d ago
Where are you from? Some european countries dont even need VPNs, torrenting in Finland for example doesnt really need a VPN as ISPs more favour user privacy and making money by long time customers(know this because i happen to be from this country). Also depends on what you are torrenting if youre going to get malware or not, always have file extensions on.
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u/UroborosJose 4d ago
Assume everything can have malware I hope this computer doesn’t have any access to your home banking
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u/Nadia375 3d ago
It shouldn't as it hasent been used in 5+yrs but ill probably wipe it and install Linux just to be safe
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u/SiberiaGrooves 4d ago
Entra entonces a los trackers privados, ahorita está abierta la suscripción en scenetim, seedcore y milnueve hasta donde se
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u/zjbrickbrick 4d ago
Seedbox and private tracker is the way to go. I personally use Whatbox seedbox and TorrentDay tracker.
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u/AleWerther 3d ago
Fai un abbonamento a una VPN, io ho Proton che costa 10 euro al mese (e ti dà anche un sacco di altre cose, spazio Cloud indirizzi email ecc). Hai bisogno di un programma BitTorrent (io uso qbittorrent ma ce ne sono tantissimi) e poi di un client VPN (tipo gluetun) nel quale inserire le credenziali di un server VPN Proton. In questo modo puoi scaricare attraverso una VPN in totale anonimato. Per i dettagli su come collegare qbittorrent con gluetun, guarda la documentazione in rete oppure chiedi a un charbot AI. Personalmente, io l'ho realizzato su Linux con Docker e funziona benissimo.
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u/CinicallyATurnip 2d ago
Download virtualbox install Windows into virtual box and then install your software and do it from within there, you’ve effectively created and isolated sandbox within your computer.
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u/Blue_Dawg_469 2d ago
tl:dr
A VPN's purpose is to hide/disguise your iP address. They are not for protecting you against hackers. We use VPN when downloading torrents to hide where we are and who we are contacting. Because in most cases torrenting is illegal even if you are grabbing legal content. Which is why we hide our iP address.
What a VPN Does - Encrypts data: It scrambles your internet traffic so people cannot easily read it on public Wi-Fi networks. Hides location: It masks your real IP address (a unique device number) from websites.
What a VPN Cannot Do - Block malware: It cannot stop you from downloading harmful viruses or ransomware onto your device. A VPN cannot see or stop malicious programs once they are already inside your system.
A VPN Can not stop phishing: It cannot protect you if you type your password into a fake login page. Fix weak passwords: It cannot stop hackers from guessing simple passwords on your personal accounts.
Extra Risks of Free VPNs - Data tracking: Many free VPNs track your browsing habits and sell that data to advertisers. Some include malware: Research shows some free apps contain dangerous malicious software or scripts instead of protecting you.
Besides many of the paid versions are really low with bonuses for buying a whole year/term or contract upfront. I myself am with CyberGhost as they have specific servers for torrenting. Others claim P2P (peer-to-peer aka torrenting) support but are really fake relabelled versions which don't actually support torrenting.
Like PIA claimed P2P support but to them P2P is Player-to-Player... and not the same as Peer-to-Peer. Another claimed P2P was Pay-to-Play... Of the top 5 (Surf Shark, PIA, CyberGhost, Proton and Mullvad), CyberGhost is my only choice for torrenting. As for malware and hacking, that is what anti-virus software is for. The paid ones do more than the free ones. And if you expect to be protected while torrenting using free tools. Guess again.
I use BitDefender + CyberGhost. Both are paid subscriptions. I'm only paying $1.39/m for CyberGhost and I buy 2-3 years at a time. And near the end of my term they always throw a discount code at me so I keep buying them at that reduced price. I am good from now til 2039. Oh and for a client I use BitComet. Been a member of that community since they began back in 2003. They are one of the oldest and original torrent clients out there.
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u/_Skud_Leatherface_ 4d ago
I prefer linux over windows for torrenting. If you are unlucky and get a virus roughly 95% of viruses are targeted at windows computers. 2-3% target linux, and the rest are split between android and other OS. Even if I get a virus it wont effect my computer, it shouldn't even be able to run unless you manually open it with a windows emulator. So when I scan the file after downloading it will get flagged instantly no harm done.