How to download torrents safely on a PC, iPhone or Android device

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Old school Internet users are likely familiar with torrents. Torrenting is the act of downloading files shared on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Many people download movies illegally as it is a free alternative to paid streaming subscriptions.

Legal aspects aside, torrents can be dangerous as computer viruses can hide in these files. It is important to know how to download torrent files safely; especially the legal ones. This way you can stay safe from viruses and stay on the right side of the law.

How to download torrents safely

One of the defenses you need to download torrents safely is a vpn. In this article, we will use ExpressVPN like our example. In our experience, we find it to be the most reliable option with a strict no-logging policy.

With a VPN at your side, even untrained users can stay safe from hackers and other cybercriminals. It is very easy to install and reliable.

How to activate a VPN before downloading torrents on Windows PC

This is how you will use ExpressVPN on your Windows PC. Make sure you are using Windows 7 and above.

1. Download ExpressVPN for Windows.
   
2. Get your unique activation code.
   
3. Install ExpressVPN.
   
4. Sign in and enter your activation code.
   
5. Start ExpressVPN.
   
6. Click the big ”Enabled” button in the middle.
   
7. Below the button, you can select the particular servers and locations to connect to.
   
8. Now you can surf the web with a VPN that protects you.
   

ExpressVPN works the moment you turn it on and you don’t need to do anything with your web browser. As long as it remains on, your location will be masked. You may be in the United States in real life, but others think you are in Finland, for example.

How to activate a VPN before downloading torrents in a Mac

Assuming you are using Mac OS X 10.10 and above, you can easily install ExpressVPN. After installation, you can safely download your files via torrents.

1. Download ExpressVPN for Mac.
   
2. Get your activation code.
   
3. Install ExpressVPN.
   
4. Sign in and enter your activation code.
   
5. If you are prompted to allow ExpressVPN IKEv2, select “Allow.”
6. Start ExpressVPN.
   
7. Click the ”Enabled” button in the middle.
   
8. Below the button, you can select the particular servers and locations to connect to.
   
9. Now you can download torrent files safely.
   

Mac is not as vulnerable to viruses as Windows, but malware can still appear from time to time. These viruses can leak your personal information and location to cybercriminals around the world. With a VPN, you can prevent your true location from being discovered.

Apple has plenty of security features for Mac OS X, but you should still get an antivirus program. This will increase your security against viruses and malware.

How to activate a VPN before downloading torrents in An iphone

ExpressVPN is also available for iOS. By keeping all your devices anonymous, you can ensure that your location is hidden.

1. Launch the App Store on your iPhone.
   
2. Search and download the ExpressVPN app.
   
3. Launch the application.
   
4. Sign in with your credentials.
   
5. Accept the privacy terms.
   
6. Grant ExpressVPN permissions to set up VPN connections by entering your password or with TouchID.
   
7. Choose whether or not you want to receive notifications from ExpressVPN.
8. Start ExpressVPN
   
9. Click the ”Enabled” button.
   
10. Below the button, you can select the particular servers and locations to connect to.
    
11. Now you can download torrent files on your iPhone with greater protection.

How to activate a VPN before downloading torrents in a Android device

There are two ways to install ExpressVPN on your Android device. We will take a look at the first one, as it is the most convenient. This method requires you to access the Google Play Store.

1. Launch Google Play Store.
   
2. Find and download ExpressVPN.
   
3. Sign in with your information.
4. Choose whether or not to send data to the company.
   
5. Grant permissions to ExpressVPN by selecting “OK.”
6. Start ExpressVPN.
   
7. Click the ”Enabled” button.
   
8. Below the button, you can select the particular servers and locations to connect to.
   
9. You are now protected!

This is how you install APK files manually on Android. You should be using Android 4.1 and higher.

On non-Samsung devices, follow these steps:

1. Go to settings.”
2. Select “Security and privacy.”
3. Next, go to “More settings”.
4. Finally, select “Install applications from external sources.”

On Samsung devices, follow these steps:

1. Go to settings
2. Biometrics and Security
3. Install unknown apps
4. Select Google Chrome or another browser
5. Turn on “Allow app installations.”

If your Android version is lower than 8.0, the options are labeled differently. This is what the steps will look like:

1. Go to settings.”
2. Select “Security.”
3. Find “Device Management.”
4. Turn on “Unknown sources.”

Installing antivirus to protect yourself from downloads

Antivirus software should be a requirement before you start downloading torrents. It’s important to mask your location, but what happens if you catch a virus? That is why an antivirus program is crucial to eliminate hidden threats.

Depending on the software you use, protection may vary. Some antivirus can detect threats early on. Others may take a little longer.

Ultimately, you should shop around to get the best antivirus software on the market.

How to install an antivirus on a Windows PC

There are two main ways to install antivirus on a Windows PC. You can download the installer or purchase a physical CD. Let’s take a look at the first method.

1. Purchase and download the installer for your antivirus program.
2. If necessary, you will need to unzip the installer from a .zip file.
3. Run the installer.
4. Follow the necessary steps for the installer.
5. Once the process is complete, you may need to configure the antivirus for the first time.
6. You should be protected from then on.

If you bought a CD, the steps should be like this:

1. Insert the CD into your computer’s drive.
2. If it does not run automatically, run the CD from “This PC”.
3. Follow the necessary steps for the installer.
4. Once the process is complete, you may need to configure the antivirus for the first time.
5. You should be protected from then on.

Historically, Windows PCs have been vulnerable to viruses. The use of torrents is also complicated, as some malicious users deliberately spread viruses. Other users share files without knowing that there are viruses infesting their files.

How to install an antivirus on a Mac

The process of installing an antivirus on a Mac is similar to that of Windows. You download an installer and follow the steps. You can refer to the above steps for your Mac antivirus.

Is it possible to torrent safely without a VPN or antivirus?

It is possible to download torrents safely without a VPN or antivirus (but not recommended). The BitTorrent protocol is inherently neutral: it is neither insecure nor illegal. It is what some users do that can affect their security.

You can download torrent files from safe websites and not encounter malware. However, if you want to ensure your security, you should get a VPN and antivirus. Better safe than sorry.

Only legal torrents

Illegal downloading of torrents may lead to legal action by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the owner of the files. When you pirate movies or software, it can lead to lawsuits.

If you download torrent files illegally, even copyright trolls can come after you. They will threaten you with expensive lawsuits, but offer you a “cheap” out-of-court settlement. Some people work hard and settle out of court.

If you only download legal files through torrents, you will avoid these problems. No one can prosecute you for downloading freeware files.

Sites like ThePirateBay, KickassTorrents, and Demonoid contain many legal files, but piracy is also widespread on these sites. Torrent files from these sites at your own risk.

There are websites dedicated to legal torrenting. Most of the content is intended to be open to the public under Creative Commons licenses. Others can be modified with credit to the creator. You may also find open source software available.

To find out if the files are legal, you can see if they are labeled as open source or have a Creative Commons license. These allow you to download and share them freely.

Using these won’t help

Some VPNs are not very good at torrenting. Not all torrent clients are the same either.

Tor can be useful for downloading torrents, but it is slow and governments tend to track their users. Unfortunately, much of the piracy occurs through Tor. Opt for a better VPN.

The most reliable torrent software

Some torrent downloaders are free, while others require a fee. Here is a list of the most reliable torrent software out there:

• qBittorrent
• Deluge
• uTorrent
• Vuze
• BitTorrent
• tixati
• BiglyBT

What does Reddit say about the topic?

Some Reddit users like torrents, but they don’t support illegal torrents. They believe it can be done safely. Reddit also has guides for downloading torrents without breaking the law.

However, other subreddits don’t stop you from pirating movies. They post tips on what to avoid and what to do when you get caught.

In conclusion, Reddit is quite pided on the topic of torrents.

Additional FAQs

How can torrents be dangerous?

Torrents can contain malware, spyware and viruses. They can steal your information, allowing hackers to use it for nefarious acts. Torrents can even leak your location.

Can torrenting get you in trouble with the law?

Yes you can. If you download pirated files, such as movies and software, you could face legal action. It can be from your ISP or the content owner.

Can my ISP see what I’m downloading?

If you don’t use a VPN, your ISP can see your torrent files. Because of this, you should activate a VPN before downloading torrent files.

Make sure your files are legal

Now that you know how to download torrent files safely, you can avoid getting viruses. Legal torrenting is completely fine and you can’t be sued for downloading free software. When intellectual property is pirated, problems arise.