How to safely download Peer-to-peer files
From techwriting
When files are shared over the internet, you can't know for sure that you're downloading the correct files. Downloading anything off any website is dangerous because some files can contain a virus, trojan, worm, or other piece of malware that will infect your machine. Identity theives love to create spoof websites that mimic popular or important websites like online banking, World of Warcraft, PayPal and more.
This WikiHow will show you how to judge whether a file you desire on a Peer-to-peer network host such as The Pirate Bay or IsoHunt is safe. This WikiHow makes no comment on your choice to download copyrighted material or not.
A Peer-To-Peer file are otherwise known as a Torrent. The process of downloading these P2P files is called Torrenting.
- Check your anti-virus software Ensure that your antivirus software is up to date. Often times (but not always) if you download a malevolent program your software will alert you and seal off the infected files.
- Check your downloading software Ensure that your downloading software is fully up to date. If you do not have any torrenting software, most are free to download. Recommended programs are uTorrent and BitTorrent. If you plan to pirate games, you will need a program such as DAEMONtools that can run .iso files. Be warned that pirating games is against the law. If you choose to pirate games or other copyrighted material, be warned that as well as being currently illegal, game torrents are popular targets for malware.
- Organize your search by Seeders or Leechers from most to least. This is how many people have or are downloading the file. It is best to choose a high number because it is an indication that the files are valid - Nobody wants to download or support viruses or files that don't work. In addition, more seeders/leechers improves the speed at which you download.
- Check the name of who uploaded the file. Eventually you will learn the name of professional and trusted uploaders. Often, websites such as The Pirate Bay will award special symbols to consistently safe uploaders as an easy way for downloaders to identify that the files are safe and accurate. For example, if you choose to download a game, you will often see SKIDROW or [dopeman]. These users are highly trusted in the community for safe content cracked and released on the same day as the official release.
- Check the description of the file. Make sure it is what you are looking for. Be suspicious if the uploader has included no or very little description.
- Check the size of the file. Be suspicious of files that are very large or very small for what it is you are downloading.
- Skim through the comments. No comments are suspicious. Bad files or infected files are often angrily commented on. However, it is very common that antivirus software will alert a false positive and a downloader will comment that the file is bad. Often such comments are responded to by other uses that the file is in fact just fine. Reading the comments will also indicate if there are any installation problems or bugs with the file and detail steps to get the files to work properly.
- Be careful that you do not click on an advertisement that disguises itself as the download link. You could get tricked into purchasing or downloading something you did not want.
- Downloading will not begin instantly. Most programs will prompt you with a window indicating that the files are ready to start. Included in the window is a checklist of the files you will be downloading, including name, file type (e.g., .txt .doc .nfo .iso .exe) and the size of each file. You will also be informed of the total size of all files combined and how much disc space you have left. If your torrent contains multiple files, perhaps there are some that you do not want. You can simply un-check the box next to the file to not download that file.
- Be extremely suspicious of .rar/.zip files and .exe files. You cannot check the contents of a .rar file until you download it, and by then the virus contained inside may already infect your machine. Zipped and .rar files are used when there are a great many smaller files and/or to slightly condense the size of the files downloaded. .exe files are dangerous because executing them can automatically install the worst viruses and trojans. It is recommended that you treat all files downloaded from a torrent website the same as you would a suspicious email.
- Once you have identified that everything is as you expected it to be, click OK to begin torrenting. Downloading will also involve uploading, in which the bits of information you downloaded from some peers is uploaded to others. This is how P2P file sharing works. It should consume the majority of your network speed - if you have a slow connection, torrenting may consume the entirety of your connection and take many hours, even days to finish. If you have a fast connection, you may experience only some slight slowdown or latency.
- Once you have completed your download find the folder to which your files were downloaded. Before executing any files downloaded, right-click on your folder and command your antivirus software to scan the folder for malware. From there, if your files require any kind of set-up, most often a .nfo or .txt file will be included with instructions on how to install or set-up your program or files. Refer to comments on the torrent page if significant problems arise.
- If you chose to pirate music, movies, games, books, comics, or any other copyrighted material, this WikiHow suggests you purchase a legal copy if you intend to continue using the pirated version. Often, the pirated version will have no restrictions on its use, while the legitimate copy may not allow you to use it in the way you wish to. While there is currently no legal justification that will stand up in the court of law to downloading or sharing pirated material, this WikiHow suggests reading up on current copyright infringement court cases to find out how to protect yourself from predatory lawsuits.
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