The results were shocking.Įvery crack, patch and key generator included in these downloads was flagged! So I took it upon myself to find out, and here’s what I discovered.Īfter pulling in several gigabytes of software shared through BitTorrent, I fired up Intego VirusBarrier and let it loose on the Downloads folder. Malware like SilverInstaller, and ransomware like KeyRanger and Patcher must be the rare exception. If every piece of software from BitTorrent programs are malware laden, why would it still be around? Do vast numbers of ordinary people risk malware attacks, possible fines and jail time (downloading these kinds of files is illegal in most countries) by downloading cracked software from BitTorrent? Surely it can’t be that bad. To find out the risks of BitTorrent and whether or not files shared through the program are as bad as its reputation is made out to be, I browsed a few BitTorrent sites and downloaded the popular software they had available (strictly for testing purposes, all of which I promptly deleted after testing). But are some of them safe? How safe are files shared through BitTorrent? However, do not confuse the safety of peer-to-peer programs like BitTorrent with the files that are shared through those programs. The short answer is that the BitTorrent program itself is relatively safe, but like any software that connects to the Internet, it is susceptible to attacks. These cracks, patches, and key generators are also more often than not the source of malware and, in some cases, the software itself has been modified to deliver malware. In many cases, demo or trial versions of apps are cracked, so they are extended indefinitely, and the licensing process is cracked to accept any details as valid, or the software may come with a key generator that spits out a name and password that can be used to unlock it. “Cracked” software means it has been modified to bypass the registration process or unlock paid-only functionality, so it can be used without paying anything for it. While it can be used as a perfectly legitimate system for sharing files, syncing files, and messaging-in fact, I use it myself every day-BitTorrent sites in general have a bad rap, but why is that? One word: Malware.Ī lot of apps available through BitTorrent websites are paid products that have either been cracked or that come with a crack that turns it into a fully functional application, without having to pay a penny.

Often when people hear “BitTorrent,” they assume it’s illegal and dangerous.

Recommended + Security & Privacy Why BitTorrent Sites Are a Malware Cesspool

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