Downloading large video files? Here’s what you need to know

You’re in the mood to watch a movie but need to download it before you can break out the popcorn. The problem is, a regular web download for a large file like a film could take forever. Worse, it could freeze up your computer from executing other programs smoothly. 

BitTorrent lets you download large files faster so you can get to your movie in no time. But such convenience comes at a cost. Read on to learn how to download torrents securely with a reliable, untraceable VPN service like . 

Cut time with peer-to-peer computing

You might already be downloading documents and uploading pics to the ‘gram all day long, but larger files, such as videos, are an entirely different beast. While a single server can handle a small file easily, it gets much more strained when doing the work of downloading large files. The problem is exacerbated when multiple users want to download such video clips or other massive data. 

The solution is to distribute the load among multiple computers so no one server is doing all the heavy lifting. Peer-to-peer (P2P) computing is a download method that breaks up large video files into bite-sized chunks. A group of users in a file-sharing network stores these pieces on their computers. When a call for a download comes in, these computers gear up into action, gather the smaller clips stored, and reconstitute the larger file — like puzzle pieces coming back together. 

Because the workload is distributed among a “swarm” of computers, it becomes easier to execute and the resultant download is much faster, even when multiple users are using the same resources.

Don’t expose your IP address

Individual computers need to talk to each other to successfully execute a large-file download using BitTorrent or a P2P file-sharing protocol. This leaves computers exposed. Everyone in the torrent network can now see your computer’s IP address and target it for attacks. Data vulnerabilities become easier to exploit when your IP address is public knowledge.

To avoid this, only torrent while using a virtual private network (VPN). Connecting through a VPN masks your IP address while connecting to the internet. You camouflage your computer’s identity by wearing the VPN provider’s IP address instead so your own computer’s address is kept away from prying eyes.

Choose a rock-solid VPN

Safe torrent practices should include downloading files using a secure VPN connection. Look for a reputable VPN service, like , which offers the highest 256-bit AES encryption with a zero-logs policy that ensures your online activity can’t be tracked. you’ll want to invest in a VPN plan such as IPVanish even if you don’t download torrents routinely. 

Downloading torrents through P2P file-sharing is a sharp workaround for lengthy videos, especially when you’re in a rush. Using a VPN also keeps your information secure while doing so. So you can kick back, relax, and eat all the popcorn without worrying about anyone judging you for that sappy romcom.