Topic: Which Torrent client for Windows?

[Gordon]

I was trying to help, but it's clear my help isn't being well received so I'm going to back away here. Peace, everyone.

Yep, I started to write a response earlier today and decided that I had already conveyed reasonable information on the topic and for some reason it was being ignored. Oh well, I tried to help out.

Same!! 

[Gordon]

The "it works with no issue" crowd....

Would you still use an internet facing XP, Vista, 7 or 8 machine? 

[Dan33185]

The "it works with no issue" crowd....

Would you still use an internet facing XP, Vista, 7 or 8 machine?

Sure, if I was pleased with the way it works and I had no issues. I use Open Shell on Windows 10 to replace the Windows 7 UI, I just like to use what I feel comfortable with and what works for me.

[admkrk]

The "it works with no issue" crowd....

Would you still use an internet facing XP, Vista, 7 or 8 machine?

Win 7, yep.

Do I expect someone to write a new bug targeted at my machine now? Hell no, why would they? It is not worth the effort when they can target all the newer machines that most people are using.

[Gordon]

Wow!

[capnhook]

So I guess what we've discovered in this thread is people use different clients for different reasons, and there's really no wrong answer.

  wrong answer guy

[Scooter123]

As an analogy, I use a commercial grade table saw for woodworking that is pre-war (the big one, WWII) that is 240v and nearly 4hp, which by today's standards might be considered unsafe by some people.  However, I know its limitations, take precautions, and am super comfortable with it.  I don't begrudge those fellow woodworkers that like to use saws with built in sensors and all sorts of whistles and bells for safety.  I get it.  But I'm comfortable with my saw and it has worked just fine for about 75 years. 

The problem with any downloading program is downloading executable files.  Two ways to get around this. 

First, all downloads ought to go into a designated folder, or even better, a separate drive on your computer, and even better is what I do, I have a small expendable laptop which does all the dirty work for downloads.  Look at the files you've downloaded before installing them to your made hard drive or your main desktop.  Obviously if its anything other than a flac, wave, mp4 or mp3, delete it and don't click on it. 

Second, use an anti-virus (the one installed on Windows is a good one and updates about monthly) and scan those downloaded files before installing or loading them onto your main drive or your main computer.  About once every couple years, I seem to get a virus on the laptop, which the Microsoft Virus program tells me, and it is usually fairly benign, like a pop-up.  I haven't been stupid enough to download an executable, since somebody hacked my friends email and sent me naked pictures of Anna Kornakova in the 1990s which of course weren't naked pictures of her, but a virus. 

I do sometimes download a bootleg audio program off some sketchy web sites and some of those have nasty viruses and some are perfectly workable.  Again, use some common sense protocols when downloading anything.  My laptop is expendable, but so far has not had to go into service for re-formatting for a very long time.    Once it functions in my laptop, I move the files or programs over to my desktop. 

What torrent program one uses and how one downloads is a matter of personal preference based on your tolerance for risk and one's protocols for addressing those risks. 

[Gordon]

Except with torrent software you are literally creating an open door to your machine and exposing your IP to everyone in the swarm!!  Huge difference....

[Dan33185]

Except with torrent software you are literally creating an open door to your machine and exposing your IP to everyone in the swarm!!  Huge difference....

That's every torrent software, so I guess if you don't want to run that risk, avoid torrents altogether. It's the internet, you are taking a risk of being hacked, malware being injected on to your computer, etc., every time you log on. Just use common sense and for the most part trouble can be avoided. Using an older version of a torrent program isn't anywhere near the riskiest thing you can do on a computer.

[Dan33185]

So I guess what we've discovered in this thread is people use different clients for different reasons, and there's really no wrong answer.

  wrong answer guy

With a convincing argument like that, I guess I have no choice but to change my mind.

[Gordon]

Except with torrent software you are literally creating an open door to your machine and exposing your IP to everyone in the swarm!!  Huge difference....

That's every torrent software, so I guess if you don't want to run that risk, avoid torrents altogether. It's the internet, you are taking a risk of being hacked, malware being injected on to your computer, etc., every time you log on.

Which is even more reason to use an up to date open source client!

[vanark]

Except with torrent software you are literally creating an open door to your machine and exposing your IP to everyone in the swarm!!  Huge difference....

That's every torrent software, so I guess if you don't want to run that risk, avoid torrents altogether. It's the internet, you are taking a risk of being hacked, malware being injected on to your computer, etc., every time you log on.

Which is even more reason to use an up to date open source client!

Give it up, G. 10 years ago, it was the best torrent client so it must still be!

[vanark]

What torrent program one uses and how one downloads is a matter of personal preference based on your tolerance for risk and one's protocols for addressing those risks.

That is a perfectly reasonable approach, but to ignore the risk because you simply don't want to change the program you are using, or to tell another user that you recommend a specific client because you deem the risk to be so esoteric it can be ignored, I don't find that reasonable. The thread was recommendations for a torrent client. Some recommended utorrent 2.2.1 without any caveat to the risk. When the risk was pointed out, others disregarded it. Which is fine for you personally, but not sure it is appropriate to not disclose the risk to someone else and not let them make their own risk assessment.

[Gutbucket]

Thanks for the recommendations and the discussion surrounding them. 

Will look into qbitorrent and deluge.

[Dan33185]

Except with torrent software you are literally creating an open door to your machine and exposing your IP to everyone in the swarm!!  Huge difference....

That's every torrent software, so I guess if you don't want to run that risk, avoid torrents altogether. It's the internet, you are taking a risk of being hacked, malware being injected on to your computer, etc., every time you log on.

Which is even more reason to use an up to date open source client!

Give it up, G. 10 years ago, it was the best torrent client so it must still be!

Please don't put words in my mouth. I gave my opinion on what works for me and why, I never said it was the best for everyone. I appreciate you looking out for my internet security, but I guess I must be doing something right at this point to have not had a problem. I only use private trackers, so it lessens my risk, and always keep my anti virus up to date. I'm not alone in using 2.2.1 and not having any problems, so not sure why you're so dead set on convincing people to switch.