The Internet is home to hundreds of millions of digital files of different types, most of which can be downloaded conveniently by users of all platforms. However, certain files are very big in size, making it harder for users to download them normally. This is where torrenting comes in.
Torrenting refers to the act of downloading or uploading specific files using the BitTorrent network. In this method of downloading files from the Internet, files are downloaded from the device of other users instead of a central server. Conversely, individuals upload files from their personal devices so that others can download them.
Tons of people have many questions about torrenting, including how it works, whether it is safe, etc. This article will answer all pressing questions that users have regarding torrenting. Let us begin:
Q. How Does Torrenting Work?
A – As mentioned earlier, in torrenting, files are downloaded from users’ devices instead of a central server. By downloading files from different users’ devices or peers at once, downloaders are able to achieve high download speeds. Here is a step-by-step look at how the torrenting process works:
Step 1 – Users navigate to a website featuring torrent files to download the required one by clicking on the Magnet Link or entering the URL into their BitTorrent client. Besides the actual content, all torrent files feature metadata, i.e., information about the files and folders, along with a series of network locations of trackers.
Step 2 – Once the user confirms the download, the BitTorrent client will locate the parts of the file they are looking for on other users’ devices on the network and begin the downloading process.
Step 3 – All the computers or devices that are acting as uploaders facilitate the download process by using some of their bandwidth to upload the file or the portion of the file that the downloader needs.
Q. Is Torrenting Supported on Windows and macOS?
A – Yes, both Windows and macOS users can easily download torrents on their respective devices. However, they require a reliable BitTorrent client to download files.
In most cases, torrents get downloaded very seamlessly on Macs. However, there are instances when users experience issues. Fortunately, there are numerous following which users can resolve the torrents not downloading Mac or Windows issues.
For starters, users can retry downloading a torrent after turning off their respective device’s firewalls since it prevents users from downloading files from unknown sources. Besides this, users can also opt to use a VPN if they are facing network-related restrictions.
Q. What are the Main Uses of Torrenting?
A – Torrenting is used for numerous reasons. The primary use of torrenting is to download large-sized files. This is because the method is much faster and more efficient than downloading a centrally-hosted file from a web browser.
People often use the method to download games, software, distributions, etc. Besides downloading large-sized files, torrenting is also very popular among users for distributing large-sized files for free since it facilitates them to save a significant amount that hosting would have required.
Q. Is it illegal to Use Torrenting?
A – One of the most asked questions about torrenting is whether it is legal or not. As mentioned earlier, torrenting is widely used for numerous purposes. Therefore, the method of downloading files itself is not illegal. However, it is true that the method is often exploited to download pirated content, which is illegal.
In simple words, torrenting is completely legal as long as users do not take undue advantage of the method and use it to download copyrighted material. Any user that does the latter can get in trouble with the police or authorities for exploiting the method.
Q. Is Torrenting Safe?
A – Torrents are virus-free, i.e., torrent files themselves do not feature malware or viruses. However, like every other file-sharing network, there is always a chance that specific torrent files are infected using malicious software. Therefore, users of all platforms are advised to take the necessary precautions whenever downloading and opening torrent files.
Before downloading any torrent file, users are advised to scan it with reliable antivirus software. Besides this, users are also advised to read the reviews of the site featuring the torrent before proceeding with the download. Another safe way of downloading a torrent is by using a VPN application since it encrypts the activity.
Conclusion:
A common myth regarding torrenting is that it is not safe or legal. However, that is not true. The activity of downloading or uploading files using the BitTorrent network is legitimate. However, users need to be careful about the type of file they are downloading to ensure safety and security.
Thanks to the popularity that torrenting enjoys, numerous online platforms feature different types of torrents, allowing users to download the required files without hassle. Anyone with doubts regarding torrenting can refer to the answers online for clarity.
