[SOLVED] what are the threats of bittorent downloads?

WaxhawRon · 07-14-2008, 05:29 PM

What are the risks of accidentally downloading various malware when downloading music or videos using bittorent? I have only done this once, and ran immediately through all security checks afterward due to seeing that things were being uploaded from my computer as the video was being downloaded--and who knows what other than the video was being downloaded! I am new to downloading music and videos, and have been recommended to some great sites for finding the material I enjoy, but I do not want to do this at the risk of infecting my computer.

I run XP Professional (SP2) with AVG antivirus, Zone Alarm firewall, and
AdAware spyware removal. I also have spyware blaster and the other software needed to request help on the Hijack forum.

Please advise if I am putting my computer at risk by downloading, and if so, is there a safe way to do this. Thank you very much.

**koala** · 07-14-2008, 06:19 PM

Yes, you are putting your computer at risk by downloading torrents.

You have no way of knowing what will happen when you click a downloaded file. It could have been modified to do absolutely anything, including stealing personal details, installing viruses, locking down your system, removing admin rights, etc.

Even if you scan the files, there's a possibility that your security software might miss an infection because no antivirus is 100% accurate.

Also, downloading copyright material like music and videos leaves you open to prosecution for theft. It's very easy to track down illegal downloaders and they are taken to court regularly.

tetonbob · 07-14-2008, 08:06 PM

Just to add to what koala has stated so well...

Please note: Even if you are using a "safe" P2P program, it is only the program that is safe. You will be sharing files from uncertified sources, and these are often infected. The bad guys use P2P filesharing as a major conduit to spread their wares.

References for the risk of these programs are here,
here and here.

More reading:

http://aresgalaxy.sourceforge.net/p2prisks.htm

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...3200209&pgno=2

We see many users in the Malware Removal section of the forum using P2P applications. It is a major vector for infection.

WaxhawRon · 07-15-2008, 05:59 AM

Thank you both very much for your replies. I will avoid P2P downloads even thought I trust a site like Internet Archives (www.archive.org) and Wolfgang's Vault (www.wolfgangsvault.com).

A second question for you--I also have Total Recorder software. This allows recording of streamed audio. Does this open my computer up to the same problems as downloading?

**koala** · 07-15-2008, 06:15 AM

Internet Archives is a reputable site that provides downloads for copyright-free media files and software. Wolfgang's Vault also appears to be safe, offering streams of live concerts. Neither are illegal or use P2P.

As long as you downloaded Total Recorder from the official site, it's safe to use.

Quote:

Privacy Statement

High Criteria only collects personal contact information so we can contact you. If you purchase a High Criteria product, we need your contact information so that we can send your receipt, product license and registration information, and/or associated hardware.

High Criteria will keep your contact information confidential and will not sell, rent, or otherwise divulge or share this information with any other third-party organization.

High Criteria uses third-party credit card processing companies to process credit card orders. High Criteria never sees the credit card details of its customers and therefore does not have access to nor can it store such information. Please see the privacy statements of these credit card processing companies for further details on their policies.

Note: If you find after running Total Recorder that you are having audio problems in other programs, it could be due to the driver it installs. Instructions here for fixing the problem if it arises.

vladimirb · 07-15-2008, 06:17 AM

Hey mate,
about first one question:
First of all, you need to see in your country law what is saying about torrents...
In my country, I can download hundreds of GBs per month without being prosecuted...
It is a whole in the law and I will do that until they change it...
I can download movies, music, software, whatever I want but can not share with anyone...
This means that I can not borrow software ,for example, to friend...
Now about safety: You will never be safe when you download torrents, especially if you use torrents like MyBittorent, mininova etc...
everyone can put there some kind of virus and stuff that you will download...
I am using private torrent where everything seems to be safe, but then and now I got infected and then I am spending lots of time for cleaning...

So it is your choice mate,
1. but better check country law first...
2. then safety
3. then how much connection bandwidth your SP will give you

Hope this will help you mate...

WaxhawRon · 07-15-2008, 12:53 PM

Question Answered--thank you all very much

Koala, thank you for letting me know that these sites are okay to use. I was also going to ask about the sugarmegs.org site, but they are now going to be set up with Archive.org. I only download concerts that are released by the artists for free downloads.

vladimirb, thank you for your advice. I don't want to be spending a lot of time cleaning out viruses, so I think I will avoid torrent downloads except from the sites that Koala said were clean.

tetonbob, thank you for the site references. These were very interesting reading and were a big influence on my decision.

07-14-2008, 05:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	[SOLVED] what are the threats of bittorent downloads? What are the risks of accidentally downloading various malware when downloading music or videos using bittorent? I have only done this once, and ran immediately through all security checks afterward due to seeing that things were being uploaded from my computer as the video was being downloaded--and who knows what other than the video was being downloaded! I am new to downloading music and videos, and have been recommended to some great sites for finding the material I enjoy, but I do not want to do this at the risk of infecting my computer. I run XP Professional (SP2) with AVG antivirus, Zone Alarm firewall, and AdAware spyware removal. I also have spyware blaster and the other software needed to request help on the Hijack forum. Please advise if I am putting my computer at risk by downloading, and if so, is there a safe way to do this. Thank you very much.

07-14-2008, 06:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,168 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: what are the threats of bittorent downloads? Yes, you are putting your computer at risk by downloading torrents. You have no way of knowing what will happen when you click a downloaded file. It could have been modified to do absolutely anything, including stealing personal details, installing viruses, locking down your system, removing admin rights, etc. Even if you scan the files, there's a possibility that your security software might miss an infection because no antivirus is 100% accurate. Also, downloading copyright material like music and videos leaves you open to prosecution for theft. It's very easy to track down illegal downloaders and they are taken to court regularly. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-14-2008, 08:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
tetonbob Manager, Security Center, TSF Academy; Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Transylvania County, North Carolina, USA Posts: 25,493 OS: 2000 Pro; XP Pro; XP Home	Re: what are the threats of bittorent downloads? Just to add to what koala has stated so well... Please note: Even if you are using a "safe" P2P program, it is only the program that is safe. You will be sharing files from uncertified sources, and these are often infected. The bad guys use P2P filesharing as a major conduit to spread their wares. References for the risk of these programs are here, here and here. More reading: http://aresgalaxy.sourceforge.net/p2prisks.htm http://www.informationweek.com/news/...3200209&pgno=2 We see many users in the Malware Removal section of the forum using P2P applications. It is a major vector for infection. __________________ Practice Safe Surfing PC Safety and Security--What Do I Need? Because what you don't know, CAN hurt you. Proud Member of ASAP since 2005 Proud Member of UNITE since 2006 Our help is voluntary, but this site needs donations to operate. Please consider Donating to the Forum. Please do not ask for help via Private Message. Ask in the forums, so all may gain from the experience.

07-15-2008, 05:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: what are the threats of bittorent downloads? Thank you both very much for your replies. I will avoid P2P downloads even thought I trust a site like Internet Archives (www.archive.org) and Wolfgang's Vault (www.wolfgangsvault.com). A second question for you--I also have Total Recorder software. This allows recording of streamed audio. Does this open my computer up to the same problems as downloading?

07-15-2008, 06:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
vladimirb Hardware Team Tech Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 1,451 OS: xp pro sp3, Server 2003 My System	Re: what are the threats of bittorent downloads? Hey mate, about first one question: First of all, you need to see in your country law what is saying about torrents... In my country, I can download hundreds of GBs per month without being prosecuted... It is a whole in the law and I will do that until they change it... I can download movies, music, software, whatever I want but can not share with anyone... This means that I can not borrow software ,for example, to friend... Now about safety: You will never be safe when you download torrents, especially if you use torrents like MyBittorent, mininova etc... everyone can put there some kind of virus and stuff that you will download... I am using private torrent where everything seems to be safe, but then and now I got infected and then I am spending lots of time for cleaning... So it is your choice mate, 1. but better check country law first... 2. then safety 3. then how much connection bandwidth your SP will give you Hope this will help you mate... __________________ Realm: Bronze Dragonflight - EU Undead Rogue --- Level 70 --- Spec: Combat Orc Shaman --- Level 70 --- Spec: Elemental Tauren Warrior --- Level 70 --- Spec: Protection Troll Priest --- Level 62 --- Spec: Shadow

07-15-2008, 12:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: what are the threats of bittorent downloads? Question Answered--thank you all very much Koala, thank you for letting me know that these sites are okay to use. I was also going to ask about the sugarmegs.org site, but they are now going to be set up with Archive.org. I only download concerts that are released by the artists for free downloads. vladimirb, thank you for your advice. I don't want to be spending a lot of time cleaning out viruses, so I think I will avoid torrent downloads except from the sites that Koala said were clean. tetonbob, thank you for the site references. These were very interesting reading and were a big influence on my decision.