Torrents help you download big files quickly. You don’t need to worry about any disturbance in your internet connection because you can resume the download afterward. However, the process is risky. If you aren’t cautious, you can accidentally download malware. The best way to stay safe while torrenting is to use a good paid VPN.
Besides, choosing a safe torrent site will help you lower the risk of infections. In this guide, we will give you some effective ways to torrent safely and anonymously.
Pick a Safe Torrent Website
There are numerous websites with torrent links. However, it’s critical to exercise caution while choosing one. The source of anything you download onto your system should be genuine. Otherwise, you will end up downloading a virus or a fake file.
Some of the safe working torrent sites include the Pirate Bay, YTS, IPTorrents, and EZTV. These websites have a clean interface, and you get complete information about the content genre you wish to download.
Use a VPN
Another important step to take to stay safe while torrenting is to use a VPN. Frequent users of the torrent are always in danger of IPv6 leaks. You can save yourself from it through a virtual private network.
Through it, the connection between your device and server is always encrypted. No one on the internet can see your real IP address. Instead, they will only get to see your VPN server’s IP address. So, it benefits P2P file sharers when they are torrenting immensely. Some of the best VPNs that help you torrent anonymously are:
- ExpressVPN
- NordVPN
- SurfShark
Hide Your IP Address with a Proxy
Proxy allows you to use your torrent client anonymously to download files. When you use a proxy, your internet activity is routed through its server. Thus, your IP address remains hidden. A proxy server also enhances security against hackers.
Thus, you can download files without experiencing negative consequences. However, ensure to use only a paid proxy from a trustworthy provider. A free proxy will not give you as robust security as a paid one does. A trustworthy proxy provider won’t leak your data to threat actors online. So, for secure and unrestricted torrenting, use a paid proxy.
Install an Effective Antivirus Software
Installing reliable antivirus software is a good practice while torrenting. Usually, cybercriminals hide malware and viruses inside the files you download. Once you download them, it won’t take long for your PC to get infected.
A good antivirus software scans every file that you download. There are paid and free antivirus applications. Both of them are good, but some premium versions also offer additional security features. These include real-time protection and monitoring.
A good practice with antivirus software is to configure frequent device scans and turn on real-time monitoring. This will automatically block access to harmful torrent websites. Thus, you will stay safe while torrenting.
Download Your Files in a Sandboxed Environment
This is an advanced security practice. You may not need to take it in every case. But if you are one of those who download computer programs from torrent, this is a step you must take.
A sandbox environment refers to an application that creates a virtual and isolated space on your system. With this app, you can safely remove dangerous programs that your torrents contain. At the same time, this app prevents harmful programs from infecting your device.
Join Private Torrent Tracker
Private Torrent Trackers are BitTorrent communities focused on a particular interest. It can be eBooks, live audio, games, or any other interest. They have a good variety of quality content, quicker download speeds, and very low risk of malicious content.
You can join one of them to gain the advantages of security, privacy, and high speed. If you want to join one, you must get an invite from a current member of a private tracker. In case there isn’t anyone you know, get a referral or ask about it on your social media platforms.
Final Words
Torrenting is legal, but it is fraught with risks. You can effectively minimize them through the tips above. Using a good VPN and secure websites are some of the best ways to stay safe while torrenting. They will drastically reduce the possibility of your system getting infected. Thus, you’ll be able to securely download any file without becoming the victim of a cyberattack.
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