I don't live in the US, so my ISP doesn't really seem to care what I torrent, but the megathread vehemently recommends to always use one. Since VPNs aren't cheap and I'm on a strict budget (wouldn't pirate otherwise), is it really that dangerous to torrent without one?

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[–] JasSmith@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago (8 children)

Just an FYI: for the cost of a VPN, you can buy a Usenet subscription. Depending on your content, you'll get far better speeds, far more privacy, far more content, and far more availability.

[–] Overzeetop@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I used to be all over usenet. Starting about 10-12 years ago most of the indexers turned to shit; either that or takedowns have eviscerated the back catalog of content from providers. I've yet to find a good tracker that can find anything (that's more than 12-24 hours old).

[–] xenos@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago

Nzbgeek

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[–] ashlie@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I personally wouldn't take the chance. Mullvad is €5 a month, and is worth it to me. My ISP completely shut off my service before ever giving me a notification. I had to completely restart service after going full Karen and blaming it on "my kids." I would do a few searches and find posts or info relevant to your area or ISP.

[–] alphafalcon@feddit.de 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Mullvad stopped providing port forwards, so they're not ideal for torrenting anymore. They were great before.

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[–] Thalyssa@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago

YMMV but I never got into trouble for torrenting.

Bell Aliant in NS, Canada.

[–] BarrierWithAshes@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

It (possibly) adds a layer of security. Of course you're just passing your traffic through them. Should they get summoned to court or ordered they could turn over your information and show you were trafficking through them. I'd say to read into how your nation persecutes copyright. How strict are they, how often have people been legally attacked cause of it, etc. If you're in Japan for example, I'd say 100% use a VPN. Copyright is extremely serious there.

[–] iAmTheTot@kbin.social 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

It doesn't add a layer of security, it adds a layer of anonymity.

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[–] trent@kbin.social 1 points 2 years ago (4 children)

You're probably fine, but I recommend just getting a free VPN to keep your ISP at bay. I don't like Proton, but they do have a free VPN. Google around and you can find some others too, if that one is too slow

[–] jaackf@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Just remember with free things - if you're not paying for the product, you are the product!

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[–] Jezebelley@kbin.social 0 points 2 years ago

Definitely should have one. Highly recommend Proton VPN personally. I love their software suite.

[–] KingPyrox@kbin.social 0 points 2 years ago (13 children)

If using qBittorrent there is an anonymous option. Not sure if works well but I haven't received an ISP email in a long time since I set it

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[–] bob@lemmy.havocperil.uk -1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

You all seem to be starting from the basis that downloading a torrent is illegal. It is not, it is only distribution/upload that's an issue. If you behave as a leech and kill it after you're done the worst you're going to get is a complaining letter from your ISP.

I torrent without a VPN and haven't had a single email from my ISP, but I presume it's because I'm a business customer.

[–] Sertou@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

You should hedge this advise. It may not be illegal where you are, but it certainly is here in the U.SA. if you’re downloading “unsanctioned copyrighted material.”

[–] CurlyWurlies4All@slrpnk.net 0 points 2 years ago

Never had a letter from my ISP and I’ve been torrenting for 20 years.

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