Are you looking to share large files over the internet quickly? Torrenting is one of the most popular methods to upload and download files online. Regardless, you might be wondering whether or not the practice is illegal? Below, we’ll discuss the legality surrounding torrenting and what torrents can do to stay safe and private.
Is Torrenting Legal?
BitTorrent is a legit protocol for file transfers, and using it – known as torrenting – is legal. However, downloading or uploading copyrighted content is illegal, leaving torrents, service providers, and torrents in a grey area. Since it’s challenging to determine which files are legal to torrent and which aren’t, you might unintentionally find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
Copyright trolls and internet service providers (ISPs) constantly monitor the BitTorrent network and can take action if they find you’re torrenting copyrighted material. The consequences range from getting a DMCA notice and throttling your internet connection to pursuing legal recourse, such as fines and even imprisonment.
Even in countries where torrenting is legal, you can still face the music for piracy if you’re accessing copyrighted content. In short, it’s risky to engage in torrenting without taking the necessary precautions to increase your privacy and anonymity.
Countries Where Torrenting is Legal
Before we talk about how you can torrent without getting on anyone’s radar, let’s take a look at some countries and their legal status when it comes to downloading copyrighted material:
| Countries That Permit It | Countries That Overlook It | Countries That Fine You For It | Countries That Have Blocked Torrent Sites |
| Poland | Singapore | United Arab Emirates | Latvia |
| Switzerland | Netherlands | Germany | Portugal |
| Spain | Denmark | France | South Africa |
| Mexico | Japan | Italy | |
| Egypt | United Kingdom | Russia | |
| Israel | Finland | Malaysia | |
| Iran | Australia | ||
| Romania | China | ||
| Argentina | United States | ||
| Greece | |||
| Philippines | |||
| India | |||
| Brazil | |||
| Uruguay | |||
| Columbia | |||
| Czech Republic | |||
| Slovenia | |||
| Slovakia |
How to Torrent Safely
If you’re living in a country where torrenting is against the law, fret not. There’s still a way available to access the files you want without revealing your identity. All you need is to equip yourself with a Virtual Private Network (aka VPN).
Just follow these simple steps to torrent safely:
- Download and install the VPN on your preferred device.
- Connect to a server in any torrent-friendly country (Spain, Poland, and Switzerland).
- Once the connection is made, fire up your torrent client and start downloading.
- Your VPN will hide your IP address and protect your traffic.
Additional Tips for Safe Torrenting
Here are some other things to keep in mind for a safe and private torrenting experience:
Get a High-Quality Torrent Client
To download torrents, you must use a high-quality torrent client. When choosing one, make sure it’s lightweight, user-friendly, and customizable. There should be a good balance between functionality and customization so that you can torrent safely. Some reliable torrent clients include qBittorrent, uTorrent, and BitTorrent.
Install an Antivirus Program
For an additional layer of protection, set up a good antivirus program. It will scan all the files you download for viruses, spyware, and other malware. If any threats are discovered, the antivirus takes care of it by either isolating the problem or removing it. Avira, Norton, and McAfee are some easy-to-use and affordable anti-virus software that you can use.
Final Word
Torrenting is one of the best ways to download large files very quickly, but it doesn’t come without privacy and security risks. By following the measures mentioned above though, you can solve these issues and torrent in a safe and private manner.
Follow TechStrange for more Technology, Business, and Digital Marketing News.
