Torrenting is the most common way to share and download files. File sharing has a long history, from the early forms of Usenet-provided file sharing in newsgroups, to the torrenting methods we know today.

But is torrenting safe and legal? How can we make it more secure?

We’ve covered the most essential information on secure torrenting below, along with tips on how you can you strengthen your security when torrenting.

Sound good? Then let’s get into it.

The Legal Status of Torrenting and BitTorrent

Let’s be clear: the BitTorrent peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol is completely legal to use for file sharing purposes. The only thing that is illegal is to download copyright protected material. However, on most torrent sites, you will find mostly copyrighted material. That’s why torrenting is considered illegal and requires caution (though there are some torrent sites offering fully legal files to share and download).

Risks of Torrenting

I’ve already mentioned the legal risks of downloading copyrighted material. However,there are other risks besides copyright infringement, including viruses and malware.

Everyone has either experienced or heard stories of virus and malware-infectedexecutable files being downloaded from torrent sites. Unfortunately, due to the nature of torrent sites, it’s very easy to get infected with viruses,malware,adware, spyware or even ransomware, since cybercriminals create and upload malicious codes. Software and games are the most targeted categories,as they are usually contain executable files. On torrent sites, no one has control over what kind of files are shared.This makes it easy for hackersto actively use this opportunityto infect torrents in order to harm other computers.

Security Steps for Safe Torrenting

1.    Use Trusted Antimalware/Antivirus Software

This is the most basic step in avoiding or getting rid of malicious software. Reliable antivirus or antimalware software can give a solid protection against these types of harmful attacks. Make sure you run regular scans, apply all updates and use the most up-to-date software versions.

2.    Look for the Seeders

Looking for torrents that have a lot of seeders is one of the best ways you can make sure that the torrent is free from malware infections and viruses. The reason for this is simple – many seeders means lots of people have shared and downloaded that specific torrent, so others have checked and found no infections or malicious software within.As such, it’s most likely virus-free and can be trusted. While this doesn’t provide a 100% guarantee, combining it with other security measures means you’ll have a greater chance of downloading a clean torrent.

3.    Set Up a VPN

If you’re serious about privacy and anonymity, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPNis the most powerful tool for keeping your online activities private and safe. If you use a VPN, your internet service provider (ISP) won’t be able to see if you’ve downloaded something. The VPN will also hide your real IP address. In addition, with a VPN all of your internet traffic goes through fully encrypted channels. With a wide range of VPNs for torrenting on the market, you should easily be able to find the most fitting one for your needs.

4.    Avoid Downloading Executable and Installable Files

Downloading software, games and other type of files is extremely risky,as executable and installable (.exe and .bat) files are the most common way to transmit malicious software and viruses. Also be very careful with cracked programs; 80% contain some form of cyber-threat. Stay on the safe side and avoid downloading torrent files from these categories.

5.    Get Reliable Information on the Torrent You Want to Download

Always carefullyconsider the files you want to download via torrent. One of the best ways to do this is to check the comments section. Plenty of comments can either mean the torrent is safe or it contains some kind of virus or malware.By reading the comments carefully, you can determine whether or notyou can trust a torrent. If there are no comments, it’s time to be suspicious!

Another way to download trusted torrents is to join a private torrent community. Unfortunately, that’s not as easy as it sounds. To be invited, you have to maintain a connection with an active member who can then invite you. However, with a little creativity and work, you can find yourself in a private torrent community.

Secure Torrenting: Conclusion

You should now have a great insight into what secure torrenting is and how it works. By being vigilant about looking out for threats, and implementing these steps, you can vastly increase your security and reduce your chance of downloading infected torrents.