This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.
File sharing has come a long way since LimeWire — but users of torrenting sites may still have security and privacy fears.
This is where a VPN can help.
What is a VPN?
VPNs encrypt data leaving your computer and make it impossible for others to see what you’re downloading. To the uninitiated, these virtual private networks assign a virtual IP address to obscure your real location from others, which is important when sharing snippets of files with other users of a torrenting client, especially if what you’re sharing is copyrighted material. (This is of course illegal and we do not condone it!)
Do you need a VPN for torrenting?
Torrenting is a great way to share big files (freeware apps, movies, books, etc.) that are in the public domain. This is because you download parts of them from a number of users instead of from a single place, so the demands are less on any one server and downloads are faster. But in return for accessing files from other people’s computers, you are expected to reciprocate. Without a VPN, this could leave you vulnerable to security scams, viruses, malware attacks, and even legal action if you’ve shared a copyrighted work (even a single song).
Therefore, VPNs with extra security measures are in demand. Other important criteria for choosing a VPN include a clear privacy policy, un-throttled bandwidth, fast download speeds, and value for money.
What is the best VPN for torrenting?
Whether you’re looking for a VPN that’s extra secure with shared IP addresses, or simply the one that’s easiest to use, we’ve rounded up the best VPNs for torrenting so the only searching you have to do will be for content to share.
These are the best VPNs for torrenting in 2024.
