Torrents

This page provides general resources related to downloading files via torrent. This will require manual setup by the user to download and seed files.

Sites

What is a Torrent

Torrents are peer-to-peer (P2P) file distribution systems, in which individual users download files from each other in a group commonly referred to as a "swarm". This type of distribution decentralizes the cost of centrally managing files (such as direct downloads). Users connect to the swarm using a program called a torrent client and a metadata file, often called a torrent file, with information on the files and online "trackers" that help users connect to each other.

Torrent Clients

At minimum, users will require a torrent client to connect to a swarm. This is a program that allows your device to connect to a torrent swarm, manage active torrents, and download/seed the files themselves.

Virtual Private Networks

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a way to securely extend a network publicly, often called tunneling. For our purposes, this allows users to connect to a remote server via a secure encrypted connection prior to connecting to the public. This means all connections you make via the VPN connection appear to the public to come from the remote server instead of you. This provides a level of anonymity necessary in some cases to safely download copyrighted material via torrent.

Are VPNs Necessary

The need for a VPN is dependent on the laws in your country and how they are enforced. You should research your laws or find a trusted community to ensure you do not face any repercussions.

VPNs help prevent a copyright holder from logging your public IP Address when accessing the torrent swarm and notifying your Internet Service Provider (ISP). In the United States, this is known as a DMCA Strike. The severity of the repercussions for a single or multiple are dependent on your country.

Considerations

There is no recommended free VPN Provider. You should always pay for one if needed.

If you require a VPN, it is essentially required to setup your torrent client to be "bound" to the VPN network. This forces your client to only send data over the VPN network and not your normal internet connection. Instructions for setting this up should be available online for most clients. Most VPN Providers include a "Kill-Switch" to disable internet connections if the VPN disconnects. Kill-Switches are known to work inconsistently so do not offer sufficient protection themselves.

It is also recommended to use a VPN that allows for port forwarding. Port forwarding allows your client to accept incoming connections from users in the swarm. If you port forward, you will be able to connect to any other user in the swarm. If you do not port forward, you will only be able to connect to users who do port forward. This will impact the availability and speed of downloads and seeding.

Seedboxes

Seedboxes are remote servers that provide high-bandwidth connections and storage. They provide a web interface for a torrent client, and allow you to directly download files you have downloaded via torrent. Seedboxes can replace both VPN and local torrent client.

Debrid Services

Debrid Services function very similarly to Seedboxes. However, storage is shared among users and cached on the server, instead of dedicated storage per user. If you add a torrent that has been cached it will be available for you to access immediately. Note that torrents are typically not seeded permanently using a Debrid Service.

Summary

1. A torrent client is required to connect to a swarm for file transfer
2. You may require a VPN to connect safely, depending on your location
3. If you require a VPN, you must bind your client to use the VPN network
4. It is recommended to use a VPN provider that allows for port forwarding and ensure it is setup correctly
5. It is never recommended to use a free VPN.

Recommendations

Torrent Clients

VPN Providers

Seedboxes

Debrid Services