Cybercriminals understand that hiding malware in a torrent file can allow them to infect huge numbers of people, and this is just about the easiest way to force exploits onto victims.
Being caught by an exploit can allow hackers to take control of your device. Ransomware infections enable the attacker to take your system hostage, encrypting it until you pay them in Bitcoin. Trojans are often downloaded by unwitting people torrenting computer programs, as the user is attempting to download an executable.
In this format, it is easy to swap out the expected program with a virus, making the potential ramifications of downloading from torrent sites quite scary. Fortunately, you can usually spot fake installers by checking the size of the download against the size of the genuine installer. Preferably it should be identical, but there can be some variances depending on the version or upload. If the difference is noticeable, however, this is a sign that the file is probably not what you wanted.
Checking file sizes is not a foolproof method of spotting an infected torrent file. Hackers are getting smarter by the day. For total protection you need a good and up to date antivirus and anti-malware program. To help, we have listed some recommended antivirus programmes that you can use when torrenting. Find the best antivirus. This is an elevated security precaution that most people will probably not need to take.
However, if you do often download executable files computer programs from torrent repositories then it is a very good idea to protect yourself in this way. Downloading files to a sandboxed environment ensures that malicious files will not infect your entire machine if you accidentally download a virus or malware. You can then check the file is legit before installing it onto your main machine. Sandboxie is a great tool that allows you to create a sandboxed environment on your PC.
Alternatively, you may prefer to install a full Virtual Machine using Parallels or VirtualBox , for example and check the file there first. To do so, simply download the torrent onto your VM, use VirusTotal to scan the file, and if VirusTotal gives it the all-clear, then run the file in the VM to make sure it is ok. If the file is clean, and the installer works fine in the VM, you are fine to move the program over onto your real operating system. Private trackers are closed-door torrenting communities designed to preserve the quality of torrents.
When you join one of these communities, you will be amazed by the quality of the torrents because each is carefully hand-picked using a strict moderation process. Most of the time, private trackers can only be accessed with an invitation. This can be tricky because these communities are often one-in-one-out. As a result, existing members guard their spot jealously and rarely quit the community.
Nowadays, there are several well-known private torrenting communities that are highly sought-after. If you do manage to get an invitation to one of these, you will suddenly be in an environment where you can trust the quality of the torrents. This will make you far less likely to come across malicious files, viruses, malware, spam, and Trojans.
Spending time on this kind of board and making friends with other users could eventually get you an invitation.
However, you will need to be an active member of the community and build trust over time, rather than simply turn up and start demanding an invitation. It is worth bearing in mind that once you do manage to join a closed-door community, there will be certain rules. Info Carnivore says:. Duane Gordon says:. Yes, thank you for posting this article and the great tips for avoiding a disaster.
Thanks Duane, glad you found the article valuable. And yes general PC protection is a critical and often overlooked component of life now. Kutty says:. Sir, Mine is about downloading torrent games and those. I want to publish this article in my blog as a page. Kindly help me with this. Feel free to link to the article, but you do not have permission to publish it on your website. Click here to cancel reply. Mashable Infographics. Social Media Today Infographics. All Rights Reserved. Browse high-quality infographics and instructographics and submit your own for inclusion.
Computer Security. Tags: are torrents safe , safe torrent , torrent privacy , using torrents. How Can I stay safe on a Torrent Site Info Carnviore… This article offers a few simple pieces of advice that you can follow on torrent sites to ensure that you have a safe torrent experience. Dana says: Feb 9, Reply. Daniel Snyder says: Feb 10, Reply. Thanks for sharing the safe tips keep posting. Valerie says: Feb 10, Reply. Info Carnviore says: Feb 14, Reply.
The Auto Containment feature can be used to sandbox specific programs automatically according to a predefined set of rules. Total Security is an antivirus from Chinese company Qihoo that incorporates both Bitdefender and Avira antivirus engines. Both versions include the sandbox. Running a program in the sandbox can be done a couple of ways. Like the other software here, Total Security adds a visual indicator to a sandboxed window, this one is a green menu and can be quite useful.
There are small buttons to disconnect sandboxed programs from the network, open the manage sandboxed files window and auto hide the indicator. Files inside the sandbox can be viewed in the File List window.
They are split into media, documents or you can simply use directory browsing to delete or copy specific files. Use the Clean Up button to delete all contents immediately. Some Cleanup options like auto clean and exclude file types are available in Advanced Settings. Final Note: Although sandbox applications can successfully run several different types of program inside a sandbox, there are some that will not work.
Software that installs its own services, software drivers or it requires high level access to the system will likely be problematic. For instance, most antivirus and security software or large applications that integrate into the system like iTunes or Visual Studio will have problems or not work at all. And sandboxie dues not work on most computers any more — it cuts your internet connection somehow — and the remedies are either complicated or incoherent. While that can be a good thing, there are now different versions and builds floating around the internet, some might work OK, others might not.
It does, but the Windows option is a sandboxed OS as opposed to these programs that sandbox the program inside your main OS.
So why would I buy pro to get it — is my question — most everyday computers in aust. Only coe with home edition, just another market ploy. Sandboxie has been made free and unrestricted by Sophos, who also say it is going to become open source. Thanks a lot for this. Just to let you know; Shade is now trial and then 20 USD annually. Shade is very easy to use. I use it mainly for my browser.
Shame, it has potential but I always thought it was more of a beta software than a full blown release. I use 2 browsers at once, one for online work and one for my own stuff. Sandboxie is a great software. Unfortunately it does not run under XP 64 bit. Back in just 1 year ago I spent a lot of time with testing XP 64 bit.
The problem is XP 64 is long out of support officially so no company is going to start supporting it now.
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