How to Hide IP Address While Torrent Downloading
How can I hide my IP address when downloading torrents? uTorrent and Bittorrent are both torrent clients which allow users to download and upload files via P2P (Peer-to-peer) protocol. That means that all files sharing is happening without a centralized server. The process itself has both its benefit and disadvantages. Perhaps the biggest drawback when torrenting is that your IP address is added to a torrent swarm whenever you are peering/seeding a torrent file. In this help guide, you will find info about why and how to use a VPN to hide your IP address when torrenting.
Why Should I Hide My IP Address when Torrenting?
As previously mentioned, whenever you download/upload a torrent file, your IP address is added to a torrent swarm. That basically means that anybody who is sharing the same file can see your IP address. Your ISP and copyright trolls can track your download activity. Eventually, they will send you a copyright infringement notice to your email. Such cases are especially common in the USA, Australia, Canada, Sweden, Germany, and France. It is not all doom and gloom, however. You can still hide your IP address when torrenting if you use VPN.
Does VPN Really Hide My IP Address when Torrenting?
VPN means virtual private network. It is a tool that has long been used by big corporations and law firms. VPN allows anybody to encrypt their traffic, hide their IP address, and browse the web anonymously. The popularity of VPNs has dramatically risen in the past couple of years for two main reasons. The first is that you can use VPN to bypass regional restrictions and unblock geo-restricted websites such as Hulu, HBO Go, Netflix, and BBC iPlayer.
The second reason, and the one more relevant to torrents, is that you can download/upload torrent files anonymously whenever you are connected to a VPN server. How does it work? Well, once you are connected to a VPN server, your real IP address is masked. Instead, websites and apps will only see the IP address of the VPN server. Nobody will be able to trace your IP address in the torrent swarm.
How to Setup VPN to Hide IP Address when Torrent Downloading?
Setting up VPN to hide your IP address when torrenting is not as difficult as you think. If you want to stay anonymous when downloading torrents, just follow these steps.
- Sign up with a VPN provider with fast VPN servers if you have not done so already. Using free VPN services has many drawbacks. Free VPN servers are usually overloaded. That means downloading a torrent file can take ages.
- Download and install the VPN app on the device you are torrenting on. VPN applications are available on PC, Mac, iOS, Linux, and Android.
- Go to www.whatismyip.network and note down your IP address.
- Connect to a VPN server via the VPN app. Go back to www.whatismyip.network and make sure that your IP address has changed.
- If you see a new IP address, it is that of the VPN server you are connected to.
- You have successfully hidden your IP address. You can now download torrents anonymously.
There are a lot of VPN providers you can use to hide your IP address when torrenting. ExpressVPN is possibly the best of them all. Here’s my list of the top VPN services to download torrents anonymously.
- Best for streaming and privacy
- High speed servers in 160 VPN locations
- Works for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu
- 24/7/ live chat support
- 3 extra months free on annual plan
- UltraHD streaming
- Free Smart DNS proxy
- Unblocks all major streaming services
- Limited Time 72% Discount
- Unlimited VPN connections
- Over 1000 servers
- Ad-blocking feature available
- User-friendly application
- Exclusive Smart VPN feature
- Standalone Smart DNS subscription available
- Extra security features
- Extensions for Firefox and Chrome
- Split-tunneling available
Usenet as a Torrent Alternative
If you want to download video, music, or software files without using having without having to add your IP address to a torrent swarm, use Usenet instead of Bittorrent. Usenet does not use P2P protocol. Instead, you get to download all your files from a centralized server. That means that you can download files at your full bandwidth capacity. With Usenet, all your downloads are SSL encrypted. In other words, Usenet is both faster and safer than Bittorrent. If you want to give Usenet a try, check out any of the top Usenet providers listed below.
Last Updated TodayRank | Provider | Link |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  14 Days Free Trial Period |
| 2 |  | Free 30 GB for 2 Weeks |
| 3 |  | Free Trial |
| 4 |  | Free Trial |
| 5 |  | |
How to Hide IP Address when Torrenting? Use VPN.
If you are serious about your privacy, and do not want to get caught downloading torrent files, you have to use VPN. If you choose not to, you’re better off using Usenet instead of uTorrent to get hold of your favorite movies, TV shows, or software online.
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About The Author
Charles
Streaming gadgets geek. Interested in every little thing there is to know about bypassing regional restrictions. An avid believer in the right to protect online privacy. Charles has also reviewed plenty of VPN service providers and knows how to separate the good apples from the bad ones.
