Thread: Do I need a vpn?

I've been reading about torrent sites online and thought I might join in.
I've downloaded utorrent and then went on to the KickAssTorrents site. I was expecting to just download their downloader onto my comp and begin the process.
But on the KAT homepage, I noticed that they recommend having a vpn setup on my comp. As far as I can see, this is another possibility of getting something unwanted on my comp. I've decided to risk it with utorrent and KAT because, from what I've read online, the risks from using these is low. I'd rather avoid using anything else unless it is necessary.
Is a vpn necessary or preferable when using a torrent site? If so, can I get a reliable one for free?

No, you don't need one.

Originally Posted by 9999

Not for torrents for Thailand but for watching live Aussie or UK TV is can be handy. As well as other things.

www.astrill.com are pretty good I can download torrents over 500 kbps looking like I'm coming from Australia or where ever else you choose from the server list. Its pretty cheap <$10 per month.

If you want something free, https://zenmate.com/ is pretty sweet, free Chrome plug in makes you look like you're coming from the UK and can watch all UK TV.

All the free ones I've tried will let you stream, but not torrent.

Advertising more than likely.

Originally Posted by hopmad

I was expecting to just download their downloader onto my comp and begin the process.

best click the magnet links (little magnet icon) or torrent link (little crown icon) to download
rather than use their downloaders

I've started downloading, but it's not using utorrent. It's using something called degoo. Is this normal?

I use https://www.ipvanish.com/ and think I'm paying about 5.00/month

Originally Posted by hopmad

I've started downloading, but it's not using utorrent. It's using something called degoo. Is this normal?

No.



Don't use the big "download" button, use the magnet or small download torrent button.

Originally Posted by hopmad

I've started downloading, but it's not using utorrent. It's using something called degoo. Is this normal?

If you Google degoo it indicates its a start up cloud storage service ,

Originally Posted by hopmad

When I click on the desktop icon, the program called degoo comes up, with utorrent 3.4.2 printed above it. WTF? Any ideas?

if you right click on the icon and choose ''open file location '' where does it take you ?

Originally Posted by hopmad

I've started downloading, but it's not using utorrent. It's using something called degoo. Is this normal?

You need to make uTorrent your default.

When you downloaded utorrent, did you make sure all the add ons were unchecked ?

Hows the new toolbar ?

I use Deluge as my torrent client, doesn't try and chuck in all the shite

You need to disable them in uTorrent or it will throw in the Bing and Ask toolbar and you don't want to start up when you start your computer.

How long for an actual download Necron?

Originally Posted by Necron99

All the free ones I've tried will let you stream, but not torrent.

Have you tried Zenmate?

Originally Posted by 9999

Originally Posted by Necron99

All the free ones I've tried will let you stream, but not torrent.

Have you tried Zenmate?

Zenmate only works an the browser tab selected doesn't it?
Didn't think it would work with torrents.

They advise using a vpn because technically you could be prosecuted for copyright infringement at any time. The vpn is to protect your identity and from possible prosecution.

Although it is very rare for small time personal users to be targeted, there has been numerous 'examples' made where Mr Joe average has been hauled in to court and prosecuted and given very large fines.

Originally Posted by Fozzy

there has been numerous 'examples' made where Mr Joe average has been hauled in to court and prosecuted and given very large fines.

Like where? This is interesting.

I'm definitely beginning to wish I hadn't started this.
I thought I would delete utorrent and start again, setting it as my default. I go to add or remove programs, and it's not listed on the programs. When I click on the desktop icon, the program called degoo comes up, with utorrent 3.4.2 printed above it. WTF? Any ideas?
degoo is also not listed in the program selection.

Originally Posted by hopmad

WTF? Any ideas?

Show us where you downloaded utorrent from

I downloaded from the Softpedia site.
I've done a restart on the comp and don't have any toolbars added, nor apparently anything strange or unwanted. When I click download, following Necron's advice, the download begins, but I then stop it as I'm not sure about this degoo title.
Maybe it's alright and utorrent has the degoo label as part of it's program. I don't know.

Are you sure you installed U torrent after you downloaded it ?

Why didn't you download it from the utorrent official site ?

Look in C:/Documents and Settings/yourname/Application Data/uTorrent

Is it there ?

Do a windows restore to before you installed whatever you installed and then get uTorrent from the official site, utorrent.com.

Originally Posted by Necron99

Do a windows restore to before you installed whatever you installed and then get uTorrent from the official site, utorrent.com.

Thanks Necron, I've done the system restore and, as far as I can tell, utorrent has gone.
I'll now, carefully and slowly, download utorrent from the site you've suggested.