Maybe you are probably familiar with the term “Torrents,” as it frequently appears on the internet. However, what are torrents, and what are their risks that you should watch out for? We’ve put together this really quick guide on what you should know about torrents and why you should be concerned if someone in your household is using them.
What Are Torrents?
Torrents are a way of sharing files between people by breaking them up into small pieces and downloading them from multiple sources. This can be a great way to get your hands on new music, movies, or software, but it can also be used for illegal purposes. Internet-based torrents are a type of file distribution method. The BitTorrent protocol facilitates P2P file sharing. Torrent-based file sharing has several advantages over traditional file sharing.
The process of torrenting involves creating and maintaining a network of users who share a single torrent file. A torrent network involves everyone and torrent clients handle everything in the background.
How Does Torrenting Work?
Downloading and uploading files via BitTorrent (the most popular torrent) is known as torrenting. In torrenting, instead of downloading files from a central server, you download them from a peer-to-peer network. In some regards, torrenting is similar to what Napster did back in the day with file-sharing music. Loosely based on the same concept.
This means you download the files from a network that many other people are connected to. You can also upload your files for other connected users to download.
Risks Of Torrenting That You Should Watch Out For
Since torrenting allows you to download files from peer-to-peer networks, which means there is a vast majority of computers connected to each other. Thus, the chances of your system being hacked or getting crashed are quite high. Because you never know who is connected to the system and what is within the file you’re downloading. Even though torrenting looks after it, you should still be careful. Most hackers will replace the standard installation file (or .exe) with a custom one that also installs a backdoor or malware onto any system that runs that program!
To avoid downloading malicious files from torrents, here’s a little tip. Be sure that the resource you’re downloading your files from is legit. If you can see comments under it, it’s most likely a legit result. However, if you see no comments, there must be something wrong with the resource and you should never download any files from it.
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How To Use Torrents Safely?
First of all, we don’t recommend you use torrenting…at all. Because, as previously stated, there are numerous hazards in it. However, for any reason, if it’s necessary for you to use it, then ensure you have a VPN running on your device.
The VPN will change your location and make it difficult for criminals or viruses to hit your device. Also, you’ll be anonymous because of it. This is one of the only ways to use torrents safely. I have some other hacks that you could use, but I gotta be honest, I don’t like torrents at all, so I’ll keep those hacks to myself.
How To Download Torrents Files?
The general method or instructions for downloading torrents is something similar to this:
- Install VPN and run it first.
- Then, select your client.
- Head over to any torrenting website (BitTorrent is by far the most popular)
- Search your query or the thing that you want to download.
- Now, check the comments on the source from where you want to download any file.
- Then, download the torrent file from there.
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Is Torrenting Illegal?
First off, I am not a lawyer, but I’ll share what I know to help protect you. Is it illegal? It depends. This is a question that we get asked a lot and the answer isn’t as simple as you might think. I’ll try and answer this question in as simple of a way as I know. While there are some legitimate uses for torrenting, such as downloading open source software, the vast majority of users engage in illegal activity. This includes downloading copyrighted material, such as movies, TV shows, music, and books. If you’re engaging in copyright infringement, it definitely is illegal. However, if you’re using torrents for legal purposes, then the answer is no.
Real-Life Example Of Torrenting Being Legal AND Illegal
Let me give you a real example: I purchase software and ebooks from Humble Bundle (https://www.humblebundle.com). After I purchase, I’m given torrent files to download my purchase (sidebar: great website as they donate to charities). If on the other hand, I’m trying to download a movie that is still in theaters for “free”, then yeah, not legal.
Are Torrents Popular With Kids?
The chances that your kid knows what a torrent is are probably high. In fact, torrenting is so popular with teens that it’s become a bit of a contentious issue. It’s also become a home network security nightmare for parents as well because of what torrents open the door to. Some people see torrenting as a way to pirate movies and music, while others view it as a perfectly legitimate way to download files. No matter where you stand on the issue, there’s no denying that torrenting is going to be around for a long time.
The music industry thought pirating and sharing music would go away when Napster was taken down. They were wrong. The market just got creative and evolved. And when it comes to torrenting, teenagers are leading the charge. But why? For starters, torrents are relatively easy to use. How easy? Look at the general instructions above. So easy a teen can do it. With just a few clicks, you can find almost any movie or album that you’re looking for. And since torrents are decentralized, there’s no need to worry about DMCA takedowns or other legal issues. Finally, torrenting is popular among teens because it is completely free. You don’t have to spend money on subscription services like Netflix or Spotify. It’s a recipe ripe for teenage use. Put yourself in their shoes: if you wanted a free and easy way to download music, movies, and TV shows…would you do it? You can see why torrents are the clear choice for many teenagers. But…that doesn’t mean they’re safe.
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On another note with popularity among kids and teens. One of the most popular ways pornography is being distributed on the web is via torrents. Take into account that factoid with torrents being used with kids…you can see how it’s a dangerous combination.
To Torrent Or Not To Torrent?
That is the question. Personally, I loathe torrents with a passion. The number of systems I’ve been called into fix, figure out how hackers got into a system, almost 98% of the time it’s because of a torrent (home/personal systems). I think they’re slow, unreliable, and they’re laced with malware. Occasionally, you’ll get a good seeder, but most of the time you’ll get incomplete files or interrupted downloads. Because torrents are decentralized ANYONE can upload ANYTHING. Let me repeat that: ANYONE can upload ANYTHING. For lack of a better term, it is like the wild west of file sharing and it just opens your home network and all your devices to a ton of malicious activity that can really put your security and personal data at risk.
Most people run into problems with torrents because they aren’t properly monitoring what their kiddos are doing. It’s very easy to accidentally download a virus even if you have antivirus software installed. My favorite is when folks torrent antivirus software…that is loaded with virus/malware just to avoid paying that extra $50 for the real antivirus. For my advice, have a chat with the family. Talk about the dangers of torrents and come up with some alternatives and options for your kids to find the media and entertainment they’re looking for.
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