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Torrent Downloading

P

Pgstyle

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 25, 2009
8
0
Hey forum members,

I'm looking to start downloading torrents again, which I know there is no completely safe way to do, and I shouldn't be doing it. Though I haven't done any of it for such a time I'd appreciate some help.

Could you all give me your help with telling me what application torrent client I should use, what tools or inputs I should use to ensure myself maximum safety that I could possibly get? I understand I will need Ip Filters etc, but what, where, I'm clueless nowadays. Links would be appreciated.

EDIT: Please understand that I have searched the forums and googled it all, but everything is so wide spread or dated its not very relevant.
 
Well you're just looking for a debate, but as you very well know depending on what you download through torrents it can be 'dangerous' can't it.

Ok so thanks for that post but can you be more precise? Please :)

EDIT: ok so I looked at Bits On Wheels, just looks old fashioned and very un-secure, transmission says nothing about in-built security or safety, vuze looks like bloatware - is this what Azureus turned into? uTorrent looks good, but the security again looks like a downfall.

As for firewalls, you havent given me any example.
 
Pgstyle said:
Well you're just looking for a debate, but as you very well know depending on what you download through torrents it can be 'dangerous' can't it.

Ok so thanks for that post but can you be more precise? Please :)
Click to expand...

More precise?

Some torrents contain trojans, although it is known which titles.

Firewall: System Preferences > Security > Firewall
Brain: unique instructions

Software: those are the names of the applications, found via a search engine.
There is even a page which compares all the software titles used to torrent on the Mac side of life. Found via search engine.


Sorry, I must be bored.
 
Not sure why you would need an IP filter. Transmission is one of the more Mac-like clients. Your ISP may be monitoring your usage and throttle your connection if it thinks you are using too much bandwidth. There are some ways of getting around this like using ports that are meant for things like Skype so that you can fool your ISP into thinking you are Skypeing when in fact you are not. Most clients are fairly plug-and-play these days. You have to watch out for imbedded trojans (a pirated copy of iWork had one imbedded in it earlier this year) so only go to trusted sources and those that have been around for a few days at least so that any nasties are found. There are also a few websites that can scan for trojans/viruses in files so google for them.
 
i tried (have) transmission, but it seemed a tad slow. I tried Vuze, it is ok. I am currently using UTorrent, and it is fine and quick. I believe they consider it still in beta, but they just released yet another update this past week..
 
The Best Software : Utorrent
Website to get torrents: ThePirateBay

These are quick and easy ways to get your free programs, but I do advise against this since it is illegal and all.
 
Vuze is apparently much lighter now (doesn't really seem like it for me), but it comes with the bluetack IP filter automatically configured.

flopticalcube said:
Not sure why you would need an IP filter. Transmission is one of the more Mac-like clients. Your ISP may be monitoring your usage and throttle your connection if it thinks you are using too much bandwidth. There are some ways of getting around this like using ports that are meant for things like Skype so that you can fool your ISP into thinking you are Skypeing when in fact you are not. Most clients are fairly plug-and-play these days. You have to watch out for imbedded trojans (a pirated copy of iWork had one imbedded in it earlier this year) so only go to trusted sources and those that have been around for a few days at least so that any nasties are found. There are also a few websites that can scan for trojans/viruses in files so google for them.
Click to expand...

IPFilters will block connections being made with computers in certain networks (ie those belonging to companies that will track what copyrighted material you've downloaded, MediaSentry for one). Have i said too much?
 
transmission can download individual files in a pack, utorrent couldn't (at least a few months ago), not sure about now. that was the dealbreaker for me
 
Umm I wouldn't use piratebay...

don't you know the Swedish owners are in prison and the current holders of the entire piratebay website are the government/authorities? The original creators are in incredible debts and fines and have been sentenced to prison, and these authorities are now tracking people through it. Bad idea, I wouldn't use torrents without having a 'brain' as a guy said earlier. I'd advise you to keep up to date with this kind of information.

DON'T USE PIRATEBAY
 
Pirate Bay is fine for legitimate torrenting, and there's no worries about someone tracking your downloads for things that are legit.

If you're talking illegal downloads, you'll find that this thread will be shut down pretty quick, since conversations on help/tips for pirating are forbidden on MR.
 
Pgstyle said:
Umm I wouldn't use piratebay...

don't you know the Swedish owners are in prison and the current holders of the entire piratebay website are the government/authorities? The original creators are in incredible debts and fines and have been sentenced to prison, and these authorities are now tracking people through it. Bad idea, I wouldn't use torrents without having a 'brain' as a guy said earlier. I'd advise you to keep up to date with this kind of information.

DON'T USE PIRATEBAY
Click to expand...

where did you hear that the government took over pirate bay? i just read an article a few days ago about the owners taking the tracker of pirate down to support trackerless torrents... so i doubt that the government is in control of the website. i also don't think the authorities are tracking people through it, because the authorities don't control it and pirate bay doesn't keep any user data. the owners were sentenced to jail and to pay a fine, but they are appealing the decision

can you post an article or link? otherwise i'd take your words with a grain of salt
 
I used to download movies from a well known uploader (aXXo) but about a year ago I stopped because I got a letter from my ISP saying LIONS GATE Films sent them a notice i was downloading.

Scared the **** out of me.
I stopped downloading movies but I download music mostly now.

I know a few people that upload/share all night and on the weekends and haven't gotten any letters/notices from their ISP (one has the same ISP as me)
 
So I just downloaded uTorrent... Is there anywhere you can download like HD movies? Also, is there anyway I can tell if the file possibly has a trojan or anything malicious attached to it?
 
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