If you accidentally download the wrong file, you won’t risk your safety with IPVanish as your connection is hidden. Besides, IPVanish is compatible with many torrent clients such as Vuze, Deluge, qBittorrent, uTorrent, and BitTorrent. A few additional steps can help you benefit fully from IPVanish’s features and stay safe while downloading the files you need. If you get IPVanish for torrenting, the long-term plans will give you 30 days to ask for a refund if you’re not happy. Download torrents with IPVanish
In a Rush? Here are 4 Benefits of Using IPVanish for Torrenting
Torrent safely with IPVanish
How to Set Up IPVanish for Torrenting Safely
How to Check IPVanish is Working
Once you’ve set up IPVanish for torrenting, check whether it’s working by doing a simple test. Check this IP address lookup tool and make a note of the IP address or the location of the pin. If it shows the location of the server you connected to, IPVanish is working. Your real IP address is hidden and you can download torrents safely on your device. Refer to the step-by-step guide for your router or contact IPVanish’s support team via 24/7 live chat if you need help. But if you’re still seeing your real IP address or location, there’s possibly a leak. Try changing servers and if that doesn’t work, contact IPVanish’s customer support for help. Torrent safely with IPVanish
Benefits of Using IPVanish for Torrenting
Security
When you download torrents, you receive bits and pieces of a large file from multiple users all over the world. Unfortunately, your IP address is exposed to the other users on the torrent network during the data transfer. This puts your privacy and security at risk. If there’s a malicious actor in the network, they can target you for cyberattacks and track what you’re doing online. A VPN like IPVanish hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic, making it difficult for cybercriminals to find you. IPVanish uses military-grade 256-bit encryption to secure your data. This level of encryption takes billions of years to crack, so it’s very unlikely a hacker will ever obtain your information. IPVanish also has a kill switch that prevents your IP address from being exposed to bad actors when your internet connection is unstable. Sometimes, your real IP address can be accidentally leaked even if you’re connected to a VPN server. Fortunately, IPVanish has IPv6 and DNS leak protection to make sure your traffic always stays within its encrypted tunnel when you’re connected. Besides these, IPVanish has a no-log policy audited by an independent cybersecurity firm. This is important because IPVanish is located in the US, a 5 Eyes Alliance country that practices internet surveillance data sharing. But since it has been verified to collect no data, there’s nothing for it to submit to the authorities if requested.
Torrent Support
Some VPNs don’t support P2P file sharing or have limited torrenting servers. This is because torrenting is often linked to downloading copyrighted files so it’s illegal in many countries. However, torrenting also includes downloading perfectly legal content such as public domain movies and document sharing. Besides, downloading torrents isn’t banned in some countries like Switzerland, Poland, Mexico, and Spain. For these reasons, IPVanish allows P2P file sharing on all its servers. I don’t condone using IPVanish or any other VPN to download illegal content, so always check the laws in the country you’re in to avoid prosecution.
SOCKS5 Proxy
VPN connections route your traffic to torrent clients like uTorrent through a VPN server. But IPVanish gives you the option to route your traffic through a SOCKS5 proxy server as well. You can set it up on BitTorrent, qBittorrent, uTorrent, Vuze, and Deluge. Proxy servers can hide your real IP address and make it seem like you’re connecting from somewhere else. It’s also ideal for P2P traffic because SOCKS5 can transfer smaller data packets than other types of proxies. It also doesn’t encrypt your data so there’s one less step involved in data transfer. Due to these, your torrents download faster. But since proxy servers don’t encrypt your traffic like VPNs, there is a risk to using SOCKS5. A determined hacker can see your real IP address and what you’re doing online.
Device Limit
Most VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect to their servers at the same time. IPVanish allows unlimited device connections so you can use as many as you want to download torrents at the same time. The maximum I’ve tried is 12 and they all worked perfectly without performance issues. Besides that, IPVanish also has apps for all major operating systems like Mac, iOS, Windows, and Android so you can get connected to a server within seconds of installing. You can also configure IPVanish on your router and use it on all your devices without having to install the apps on each one. Every device that’s connected to the router will be protected. Torrent safely with IPVanish
Common Concerns for Using IPVanish for Torrenting
Speed
All VPNs affect baseline internet speeds because they need to encrypt your traffic. Plus, your data has to go through an additional server, which takes longer. But, if a VPN slows down your speeds too much, your torrents will take too long to download or stop altogether. All the best VPNs in 2023, including IPVanish, only affected speed slightly during tests. I like that IPVanish is fast enough to support high-bandwidth activities like downloading torrents. In many instances, I felt like I wasn’t even connected to an IPVanish server. When I downloaded Captain Kidd, a 1945 public domain movie on uTorrent, the 966MB file took less than 3 minutes. IPVanish makes it easy to connect to a server with the smallest load. On my Windows app, I pulled up the server list and clicked on the green arrow next to the title ‘Load’. It automatically sorted the list and placed the servers with the lowest load on top. I used one of IPVanish’s servers in Milan, Italy, as it had a user load of just 6%. This means the server was not crowded with users competing for bandwidth, so the connection speeds stayed fast. Finally, IPVanish lets you choose between different protocols for faster connections. I always use WireGuard to download torrents as it’s faster than OpenVPN and it doesn’t compromise my security. But you can also choose IKEv2. I recommend trying all that’s available in your app to find out which one works best for you.
Server Locations
The further you’re physically located from the server you’re connected to, the longer your downloads will take. This is because your data has to travel farther on distant servers which slows down your connections. Fortunately, IPVanish has a huge network of 2,000+ servers in 75 countries including in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Africa. Since all IPVanish servers support P2P file sharing, you can always find one near you to download your favorite movies and files quickly. Torrent sites like The Pirate Bay, RarBG, and others are blocked in some countries. Even if you live in a country where these sites are freely accessible, you’ll lose access if you go abroad. Luckily, IPVanish has servers that can easily regain access to torrent sites from anywhere.
Privacy Policy
IPVanish is based in the United States which concerns some VPN users. This is because America is a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance that shares internet surveillance data with other members. Even if you don’t use a VPN for criminal or illegal activities, you have the right to privacy when using the internet. That’s why IPVanish has a strict no-log policy. It means IPVanish doesn’t keep a record of your torrenting history or other details that can be used to identify you on any of its servers that you use. This has been verified by an independent cybersecurity consulting firm, Leviathan Security Group.
Pricing
Torrent safely with IPVanish
Tips for Torrenting Safely with IPVanish
IPVanish has very strong privacy and security features but these tips will help you use the VPN correctly and avoid risking your safety when downloading torrents:
Always connect to an IPVanish server before downloading torrents to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime. Turn on the kill switch to prevent your data from being accidentally leaked when your internet connection is unstable. Take advantage of IPVanish’s sort function to find a server that has the lowest load percentage. Choose a protocol that’s optimized for speed like WireGuard so that your downloads are quicker. Read the reviews to select a trustworthy download link as some contain viruses. Use a reputable torrent client like uTorrent or qBittorrent or you might risk facing malware and other security issues. Scan all downloaded files with an antivirus program before opening them. Keep your IPVanish app up-to-date with the latest software updates and security patches to avoid being vulnerable to attacks. Never download copyright-protected materials and stick to legal and open-sourced files or you risk legal action.
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Alternative VPNs to IPVanish for Torrenting
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN for P2P File Sharing With High-Speed Connections and Top Privacy Features
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the overall best alternative VPN for downloading torrents as it’s super-fast and keeps your download history private. It also has its own tunneling protocol that works with major torrent clients. If you face any issues with your downloads, ExpressVPN’s support team is one of the best I’ve dealt with for help. During my tests, ExpressVPN proved to be the fastest VPN, especially when downloading large files like copyright-free movies and games. The servers in Switzerland were 6,200 miles away from me, which means my data had to travel farther. However, Abilene Town (960MB), a 1946 public domain movie, downloaded in just 8 minutes on uTorrent.
If you’re concerned about using the P2P approach for downloading files, ExpressVPN makes sure your security and privacy aren’t compromised. It has some of the top features in the industry such as:
Military-grade 256-bit encryption — scrambles your data so that it can’t be read by anyone who doesn’t have the correct encryption key. TrustedServer technology — uses RAM-based servers that are incapable of storing data to back its no-log policy. Network Lock — disables your internet connection if it becomes unstable so that your data isn’t accidentally leaked to others on the torrent network. IP leak protection — makes sure your data packets are always delivered in a secure tunnel when you’re connected to the ExpressVPN server. Anonymous payment option — accepts Bitcoin if you don’t want to share any personal information with ExpressVPN when subscribing.
Since ExpressVPN allows a maximum of 5 device connections simultaneously, I tried torrenting on all of them. All my devices worked efficiently and I didn’t notice a difference in performance whether I had 1 or 5 connected. The only minor issue with ExpressVPN is that it’s quite pricey compared to other VPNs on this list. But, ExpressVPN is the only VPN to give you the maximum speed possible to download your file quickly. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your data is not stored anywhere in its servers. Considering all these, the 1-year plan is quite reasonable at $6.67 a month if you want to get ExpressVPN for torrenting. You won’t risk anything because if you don’t like how it works after subscribing, you have 30 days to ask for a refund. I just sent a message on its 24/7 live chat and received confirmation within 3 minutes. 4 days later I got my money back. Get ExpressVPN for torrenting
2. CyberGhost — Dozens of Torrent-Optimized Servers Globally to Share Files P2P Files Easily
Key Features: CyberGhost has dedicated servers for P2P sharing in over 70 countries to help you torrent safely and quickly. These servers are tested regularly by CyberGhost to make sure you’ll always enjoy uninterrupted downloads and unlimited bandwidth. They also provide IP addresses that can easily unblock torrent sites like The Pirate Bay and FitGirl Repacks. When I ran some tests, I found out CyberGhost’s torrent-optimized servers are quite fast, though ExpressVPN was faster. A 4MB free version of the Need for Speed computer game took me just 17 minutes to download. I used the server in Poland and, though it was a 5,700-mile long-distance connection, it was only 7% slower than when I used a nearby torrent server. I also chose CyberGhost for torrenting for security reasons. It has some of the best features to make sure no one can see what you’re downloading or what your IP address is. Some of these include:
Military-grade encryption — uses the most secure cipher available today to protect your data from cyber snoops and hackers. WiFi protection — starts a VPN connection automatically when your device detects an unfamiliar network so that your downloads can resume securely. Automatic kill switch — prevents all data transmission to avoid your personal details from being leaked when the internet connection is spotty. Romania jurisdiction — headquartered in a privacy-friendly country that isn’t part of the 14 Eyes Alliance and doesn’t practice internet surveillance.
With a limit of 7 connections, CyberGhost offers a high enough device limit if you need multiple devices for torrenting. I used my 3 smartphones, 2 computers, and 2 tablets and they all gave me steady connections to keep my downloads going. The only thing I didn’t like about CyberGhost is that it only offers a 14-day money-back guarantee on its monthly plan. It wasn’t enough for me to test all of its features for torrenting. However, CyberGhost’s long-term plans offer the longest money-back guarantee of 45 days. If you plan to subscribe to CyberGhost for P2P file sharing, I recommend its 2-year + 3 months plan for $2.11 a month. It has a reliable and generous money-back guarantee. I asked for a refund via CyberGhost’s 24/7 live chat system and I got a reply within minutes confirming that it will be processed the same week. I got my money back the following week. Get CyberGhost for torrenting
3. Private Internet Access — MACE Minimizes Risks When Using Unverified Mirror Sites to Download Torrents
Key Features: PIA has MACE to block ads, ad trackers, and viruses in suspicious mirror torrent sites. Sometimes, it’s the only option to download a file but mirror sites can contain tons of lewd ads, ad trackers, and viruses. When you turn on MACE, you’ll also be able to load these sites faster and save on internet data since all the unwanted elements are blocked. One of PIA’s competitive edges is that it has a huge network of 35,000+ servers in 84 countries and all of them support torrenting. No matter which I picked from the many options, PIA’s servers weren’t crowded and therefore reasonably fast averaging 58Mbps. I could download a Western classic, The Great Train Robbery (400MB) in less than 8 minutes. Another good thing is that PIA lets you connect Unlimited devices to its servers. I tested up to 9 and found that it works great even if you have torrents downloading on several devices at the same time. I also like that PIA has several solid privacy features that are torrent-friendly. Some of these include:
Port forwarding — opens your device to connect with more peers so that your downloads will complete faster. SOCKS5 proxy — hides your real IP address and reduces the size of the data packets to help them move quicker. Private payment method — accepts gift cards from major brands to help you stay anonymous to PIA.
For some, the fact that PIA is located in the US might be a problem since the country is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance. However, PIA has proven that it doesn’t collect or share data in multiple court cases and an audit performed by an independent firm, Deloitte Audit Srl (Romania). Finally, it uses RAM-based servers with volatile memory to assure none of your data is saved. The good thing is that PIA is the most affordable VPN on this list. If you want to give PIA a try for torrenting, I recommend its 2-year + 3 months plan. It’s only $2.11 per month and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I just had to send an email and fortunately heard back with approval the same day. 9 days later, my money was back in my account. Get PIA for torrenting
Get IPVanish for torrenting But if you are downloading a public domain TV show or open-source software, you have the right to online privacy. IPVanish can help you hide your real location and IP address so that you’re not targeted for cyberattacks. I don’t condone using a VPN to commit crimes or break copyright laws so only use it to stay safe online. If you need help installing the VPN to your device, IPVanish’s 24/7 live chat team responds in less than a minute and is knowledgeable. An agent will take you through the process step-by-step and answer your questions. Any drop I saw in my baseline speed was minimal with IPVanish. To avoid slowing down your connection too much, use a server near you and sort the list for those with less than 10% load. Any speed loss I encountered using this method was negligible and only affected my download time by 4 or 5%. IPVanish also doesn’t restrict you from downloading copyright-protected files. It will not ban your account or alert you for torrenting illegal content. This is why you need to be extra careful to make sure your downloads are safe and not against any laws. Additionally, IPVanish has SOCKS5 proxy servers in 14 countries to help you download files faster if your baseline internet speed is too slow for a VPN connection. You can use the proxy servers with your torrent client whether it’s BitTorrent, uTorrent, qBittorrent, Vuze, or Deluge. If you don’t like how IPVanish works while torrenting, just cancel your subscription by logging in to your account within the 30 days. Your refund will be automatically processed. I got a confirmation email the same day and got my money back in less than a week.
Torrent Freely With IPVanish
IPVanish is one of the best VPNs for torrenting with secure military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and SOCKS5 proxy servers. It does a good job of protecting you from cyberattacks by hiding your real IP address and keeps no record of your torrenting history. Plus, IPVanish is compatible with most torrent clients. With a few tips on this list, you can use IPVanish to its full potential when you’re downloading torrents and avoid risking your safety. I recommend one of its long-term plans if you’d like to get IPVanish for torrenting. In case you change your mind and want to use a different VPN, you’ll have 30 days to ask for a refund.
