How to Download a Torrent
BitTorrent is a protocol used for transferring large files. While the HTTP protocol downloads the contents of a file from one source in a sequential manner, the BitTorrent protocol downloads different parts of the file from various sources in a peer to peer network. Advantages of this method of file sharing include fast downloads, as well as the reduced cost of bandwidth to the original sources of shared files.
Install anti-virus software. Due to the insecure nature of this file sharing system, it is easy for hackers to circulate files infected with malicious programs. Anti-virus software will help you avoid downloading such files to your computer.
Download and install a torrent client. A majority of the torrent clients are free to use. The most popular torrent clients are BitTorrent and uTorrent (see Resources below).
Search for the torrent you need to download. When using general search engines like Google and yahoo, consider using a search term that includes the name of the file you want and “torrent”. There is no need for this when using IsoHunt and other search engines made for torrents (see Resources below).
Examine the details of the torrent. BitTorrent websites include important information about the file, such as the number of times the file has been downloaded and the number of available peers from which you can download it. For better results, consider choosing a file with a higher download rate and a higher number of available peers.
Click on the torrent file to begin downloading. Select a destination on your computer that will be easy to locate, such as your desktop.
Open the torrent. You can open the torrent by first launching the torrent client and then locating the file through the file menu or you can double click the file. Clicking on the file twice will launch the torrent client.
Select a location for your torrent client to save your downloaded torrent files. You can do this in the dialog box that appears when you double click the torrent file. Select “OK” and then wait for the application to download the file. When the download is complete, your file will be saved in the folder you selected.
Learn how the BitTorrent protocol and other file sharing systems work. “Steal This File Sharing Book” by Wallace Wang explains how to use file sharing networks (see Resources below).
Tip:
If you download your torrents from a website that uses registered trackers, you may notice that your torrents download at low speeds in the beginning. This is due to a system meant to encourage users to share the files that they have downloaded. Your download speeds will improve when you begin to share your files with others in the group. The more files you share, the higher the speed of your downloads.
Files with a higher rate of downloads are less likely to contain malware.
Warning:
It is illegal to download copyrighted content.
If you download files from a website with registered trackers, plan to also allow others to download the files from you. Trackers compare the number of files you have downloaded to the number of files you have uploaded. Clients with an unbalanced ratio will be banned.
Resources:
Download torrents with BitTorrent
Manage torrent downloads with uTorrent
Search for torrents with IsoHunt
Find out how file sharing systems work with Steal This File Sharing Book
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