You can always download valuable material in a fast and convenient way, and what’s better than using a torrent to do that, right?
We agree.
But are you sure you are not compromising your privacy?
Are you not violating any rules?
There lies the confusion. We are all familiar with torrents, but only a few of them know how it works. Sites like The PirateBay uses the BitTorrent protocol means there is no central admin here controlling the downloads and uploads.
It may sound like a blessing, but it comes with ample risks. So let’s learn all about torrenting here.
Torrenting Risks
Torrents are fast, effective, and reliable ways to download files from the internet. They are maintained by other torrent users who download and upload the same file. Hence, the entire operation of torrenting depends mainly upon community consensus. Let’s find them out here:
1: Malware Risks
One of the most common torrenting risks is the threat of getting malware on your device. You may not know it, but the torrent file you download from a site probably contains a virus. If that virus enters your system, it will notably infect the device’s performance.
This is why, when you download a file, you must continuously scan it. Even if your file is laced with malware, your antivirus software can scan it and filter the files before you open them on your PC.
2: Data Safety Risks
When you download a torrent file, you run the risk of granting unauthorized access to organizations’ critical business details. It means you compromise their financial information, employee records, organizational policies, etc.
An employee who downloads a torrent file may put the file in the same folder containing company details. Thus, hackers may get a chance to hack company records. Moreover, it will create a wrong impression upon the higher authorities and leave a bad taste in their mouths.
3: Vulnerability
It is evident that when you download a torrent file, you become vulnerable to cyberattacks. This is because when a user downloads or uploads torrent files, it alerts the hackers, and they try as best as they can to access the files.
If the hackers manage to hold your details, they will use it to their advantage. For example, they may threaten to reveal your personal contact information, account details, photos, and chats in exchange for a ransom.
This is why you should also keep your system password-protected and even change the password frequently to avoid these vulnerabilities.
Pros And Cons Of Torrenting
When you upload a torrent file on a BitTorrent client, you run the risk of being swarmed by a hundred computers. It means a tracker will share your IP address with other computers, and if any of those computers are operated by a hacker, you know what it can cost you.
Let’s find out the pros and cons of torrenting here:
| Pros | Cons |
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| 2. The only way to trust the quality of the file is the online reviews. There is no way to view the file before downloading it, and the online reviews might not always be legitimate. |
| 3. While torrenting, you are uploading and downloading a file simultaneously. It can impact your internet speed drastically. |
| 4. If you are not using a VPN, you expose your IP address to many people while torrenting. It puts you at enough risk of encountering cyber threats. |
The Bottom Line
We have mentioned the possible risks of torrenting, including its pros and cons. Once you complete the torrent download, we suggest scanning the file before you open them on your device. If you have any further queries regarding the topic, let us know in the comment section.
