What is Torrenting?
File sharing through a peer-to-peer sharing network is referred to as “Torrenting”. It enables users to share files without having to upload them to a server. Even though pirating files is deemed illegal, millions of users utilize torrents to download paid apps, movies, and music simply because it is free.
However, because many hackers use torrents to propagate their dangerous files, knowing that users will eventually download them, it creates a risk of malware attacks and virus infections.
Since downloading files online can bring some serious risks. Anonymity and security are essential for safe torrenting. So, here are some precautions you may do to protect yourself from them.
Have a Reliable Antivirus Software
Malicious torrents can be avoided with the help of a reliable antivirus. Windows includes an inbuilt Windows Defender, which is more than capable of catching the vast majority of viruses.
If you don’t have any other antivirus software installed, you can turn on Windows Defender from the Control Panel. A competent antivirus program installed on your machine will detect and scan all files you download, alerting you if any are malicious.
As a result, having a robust antivirus operating on your computer is highly advised to safeguard your computer from destructive infections.
Check the Number of Seeders
A large number of seeders indicates that the torrent is virus-free. This is because others have tested and detected no viruses before sharing it.
While this isn’t a guarantee, it might help you narrow down your options. Read The Comments First: Before you download, read the comments.
This isn’t a foolproof method, but the torrent’s comments area can assist you figure out if it contains any infections. If there are many comments but none about a possible virus, it’s more likely that it doesn’t have one. If a torrent has a lot of comments regarding viruses, you should probably avoid it.
Join a Private Torrent Community
You’re considerably less likely to obtain a virus-infected download if you could get access to a closed torrent group. It’s because the torrents were all developed and circulated by people in that community, making them far more reliable.
Getting into a private group might be tough because you normally have to know someone that can issue you an invite. Being involved in numerous online groups and befriending someone who has a membership to a torrent group is the easiest method to do this.
Using a VPN
While torrenting, a VPN ensures your internet privacy. This not only protects you from hackers but also assures that you won’t have any issues if the site you’re downloading from gets hacked, as personal information like your IP address and geolocation won’t be exposed.
Anyone seeding or accessing the same torrent might see your IP address. Your IP address can be used for nefarious purposes or to send over attacks.
Running the Files in Sandbox First
Running the downloaded files in a closed environment prevents harmful files from infecting your entire machine if you download a virus or malware accidentally.
If you run your downloaded files through it, it will determine whether the file is a legitimate piece of software or a movie, rather than a virus. AnyRun, Sandboxie, or an installed virtual machine, if it is to your liking, are some of the technologies that allow you to access a contained environment for malware testing.
The Windows Sandbox application is also installed on several Windows editions, and it functions well as a sandbox environment.
