BleepingComputer.com: Downloading torrents

Hi

I have been downloading torrent files (predominantly music) for a few years now and have never had any problems with infections. Whenever I download a torrent file I scan that file with anti-virus and anti-malware. These scans always come back OK.

I read in various forums that torrent files are risky and open up your computer to attack. My PC knowledge is fairly elementary so I am unable to confirm if that is the case. Generally, before I download torrents I check the comment box to say what other users have say about the file as their comments are a good indicator of the quality of the torrent.

Based on my own experience, I would say that downloading torrents is safe provided a cautious approach is adopted as described above.

What do others think? Any notable experiences would be useful.

Cheers

andybhoy

yeah i agree with you i also heard that its unsafe but i havent had a problem (that i know of) yet with downloading torrents...which downloader do you use? utorrent?

Apart from this being a way to get your compter infected, it is also illegal, I suggest you read the information below.

Peer-to-Peer Programs Warning
In today's world cyber crime has come to an enormous dimension and any means is used to infect personal computers to make use of their stored data or machine power for further propagation of the malware files. A popular means is the use of file-sharing tools as a tremendous amount of prospective victims can be reached through it.

It is therefore possible to be infected by downloading manipulated files via peer-to-peer tools and thus suggested to be used with intense care. Some further readings on this subject, along the included links, are as follows: File-Sharing, otherwise known as Peer To Peer and Risks of File-Sharing Technology.

It is also important to note that sharing entertainment files and proprietary software infringes the copyright laws in many countries over the world and you are putting yourself at risk of being indicted through organizations watching over the rights of the authors of such files (i.e. the RIAA for music files, or the MPAA for movie files in the USA) or the authors of the files themselves.


Syler

Cheers for the reply Syler ;)

syler, on Jun 29 2009, 01:33 AM, said:

Can you therefore only get infected by downloading and running an infected file, or are you vulnerable to get attacked whilst the file is in the process of downloading. If say you didn't have a firewall?

I ask this question because I am currently using vuze (formerly Azereus) to D/L my files. When I exit the application (vuze) my firewall (comodo) starts to block a number of intrusion attempts. Comodo indicates that it blocked attempts to access the windows operating system (through destination port 33913). Comodo shows that it is blocking an IP address (that was connected to me through Vuze) from carrying out this action.

This to me seems pretty dodgy, and each time it happens, I terminate the connection with comodo.

Do you have any thoughts / input on this, or can anyone else shed any light?

Then help would be appreciated.

Quote

Here is an example from someone I have just been dealing with in the HijackThis forum, an infected music file
and unfortunately that isn't rare.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner.EyanOwen\My Documents\Downloads\Madonna Ft Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes (Mp3 Single).zip Infected: Trojan.Win32.Monder.gen 1

Quote

The basic answer is yes they will still try to connect even after exiting them and this could take a while to stop. If you don't want to
have to worry about these kind of things don't use them!

Cheers for the feedback Syler.

A simple solution