qBitTorrent is the oldest yet the most popular torrent client like uTorrent. It is free and open-source software that provides a clean user interface and a range of features to the users. But, an important question is, is qBitTorrent safe to use?
Unlike uTorrent, qbitTorrent is free from unwanted ads, any security flaw, or vulnerability and hence is safe to use. However, this won’t reduce the dangers of torrenting, and for maintaining the top-notch security level; it’s better to use a reliable VPN on qBitTorrent.
How Good Is qBitTorrent?
qBitTorrent is one of the best torrent clients that offers a free and premium version. From its lightweight to the streamlined installation process and fast downloading speeds, it gives the best user experience. Also, it is a feature-packed torrent client. The torrent client has an impression of providing the best features that every torrenters always desires. Let’s take a deeper view of the features offered by qBitTorrent:
– Torrent Search Engine
The torrent client comes with an integrated search engine that allows the users to search the torrents by installing the search engine plugins. Here are the steps for setting up the qBitTorrent search engine:
Menu > View > Search engine > Click on Accept to install Python > Search > Tap on Search Plugins > Check for updates.
The search engine will then automatically suggest the search plugins.
– RSS Feed Support
Another impressive feature of the qBitTorrent is the RSS Feed support. This feature automatically downloads the torrent for the users as soon as available. You don’t have to visit the torrent client to check if the file is available for download.
– Torrent Creation Tool
With the qBitTorrent torrent creation tool, you can create and seed your torrents. You can seed the .torrent file to the BitTorrent network either by sharing with your close friends or to a large audience by using the DHT.
– Multi-Platform Compatibility
Another fantastic feature of qBitTorrent is its compatibility with all major devices and operating systems. You can easily download and use qBitTorrent on Windows, FreeBSD, Linux, and macOS. The torrent client offers no support for iOS but, if you’re an Android user, you can use the qBitTorrent Controller app available in both free and paid plans to download torrents from qBitTorrent.
– Remote Management
This feature allows the users to enjoy more control over their downloading habits and even prioritize their downloads. You can add, pause, or cancel their torrent from downloading by enabling this feature.
– Bandwidth Limits
With qBitTorrent, you can set your bandwidth limits and even schedule when the limits have to be implemented. This feature is helpful as it takes care that your downloads don’t impact your internet speeds.
– Immediate Playback
With this feature, you don’t have to wait for the file to download first and start watching the content while it’s still in the downloading process.
Besides this, another impressive feature of qBitTorrent is its ability to get bound with your VPN’s interface and prevent your IP address from getting exposed. As a whole, qBitTorrent is a good torrent client with exceptional features that you can consider using.
Is qBitTorrent Safe to Use?
The simple answer is a yes; qBittorrent is safe to use, and there are valid reasons for it. Mentioned below are some of the reasons that prove that qBitTorrent fulfills the security criteria:
– Open-Source Software
qBitTorrent is an open-source software meaning its source code is available on the internet for downloading. The volunteers running it can access the code for inspection and fix any vulnerability or security flaw if present. Also, the software receives frequent updates and is managed by well-skilled people, so it is more reliable to use.
– Built-In Proxy Feature
qBitTorrent comes with a SOCKS5 proxy that is pretty helpful in torrenting. It protects your IP address from leaking and redirects the torrent traffic via a third-party server. By doing so, it makes you anonymous while torrenting.
– Encryption
Another impressive thing about qBitTorrent is its ability to encrypt torrent traffic. It provides built-in RC4 encryption that helps in protecting the traffic from all prying eyes. But since it results in slow speed and is not as effective as VPN encryption, it’s best to use a VPN along with it.
– No Pop-Up Ads
Unlike most torrent clients, qBitTorrent is free from intrusive pop-up ads. It was mainly designed for social benefit; thus, no third-party code or ad trackers are installed within the software.
Are There Any Vulnerabilities Associated With qBitTorrent?
The torrent client found a minor security bug in 2017. The bug allowed the malicious actors to alter the users’ tasks and add uploads and downloads on their task list without their knowledge. This vulnerability was discovered in the qBitTorrent 3.3.12 version and was fixed with a new version.
However, there are some drawbacks or risks of using the platform. Here are some of the cons you can experience while using qBitTorrent:
- The torrent clients offer no protective feature for detecting malicious files. You can end up downloading the malware-embedded files that can infect your device with malware and even steal valuable data.
- qBitTorrent is owned by a company headquartered in France, a member country of the nine eyes alliance. Thus, the company can log and share your P2P activities-related data with the ISP and government agencies.
- In the P2P swarm, anyone can see your actual IP address. Your IP address can expose your P2P activities to the ISP and copyright trolls.
- Your ISP can even throttle your bandwidth on qBitTorrent, and you can experience reduced internet speed while torrenting.
Considering the risks mentioned above, it is crucial that you look for some methods to use qBitTorrent safely and securely.
How to Use qBitTorrent Safely?
Fortunately, there are still some tools and tricks that you can practice to use qBitTorrent safely. Discussed below are the four best methods found in this regard. So, let’s overview them:
Use a VPN
The best way to protect your identity and minimize the drawbacks of qBitTorrent is to use a legitimate VPN provider. A compatible torrent VPN masks your IP address and encrypts the data traffic from both ends. By doing so, it prevents your ISP, government agencies, hackers, and copyright trolls from viewing your P2P-related activities.
For an enhanced torrenting experience, make sure that the VPN you choose comes with the following mentioned features:
- Strict zero-logging policy
- AES-256 bit encryption and secure tunneling protocols.
- Active kill switch, split tunneling, and SOCKS5 proxy
- P2P-optimized servers
- Fast downloading speed
Using a VPN for torrenting with the above features guarantees safe and secure downloading.
Enable Anonymous Mode
qBitTorrent’s anonymous mode allows you to mask your sensitive information like IP address, Peer IP, and listening ports. You can use qBitTorrent without exposing your real identity by enabling this mode. Here are the steps for setting up the anonymous mode:
Navigate to Tools > Options > BitTorrent > Privacy > Check on the Enable Anonymous Mode.
Once you’ve enabled this feature, it ensures that your information remains hidden from your peers or other snooping eyes, and you can enjoy a greater level of anonymity.
Antivirus Software
The torrent downloaders are well aware of the danger of getting exposed and downloading malicious files. Thus, it is high time to block all such files and secure your torrent downloads. The best way to do it is to use the best antivirus software before you start downloading. The antivirus software scans all the torrent files before downloading and alerts you if the file contains malware or virus within it. This way, it blocks all the malicious files and makes your downloads secure.
IP Binding
IP binding is a feature offered by qBitTorrent that binds the network connection to a particular network interface. It is of great help for downloading torrents safely and especially when connected to a VPN provider. It works like a VPN kill switch and will pause the downloading when the VPN connection malfunctions.
To activate this feature, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:
Go to Tools > Options > Advanced > Optional IP address to bind.
Now, choose the IP address provided by the VPN provider, and that’s it.
Are you looking for more ways to download torrents safely? If yes, then tap on this link and expand your knowledge.
How to Configure qBitTorrent for Enhanced Torrenting Experience?
Some of the features that qBitTorrent offers are not built-in, and thus, you need to configure them. By making specific changes, you can boost your torrent downloading experience and even protect your IP address from getting revealed accidentally.
Here are the necessary configuration settings that you need to make:
- To allow your VPN to start functioning before the torrent clients start, you need to disable the Start qBitTorrent on Windows startup. For this, Go to Tools > Options > Behavior > Desktop.
- Turn on the VPN encryption feature by selecting Allow encryption or Require encryption. Go to Tools > Options > qBitTorrent > Privacy.
- Enable the Check for Program Updates features and never miss any client software update. To do so, Go to Tools > Options > Behavior.
- If you use a VPN on qBitTorrent, the network interface filtering feature will help limit the torrent traffic to your VPN network adaptor and block the torrent traffic when the VPN connection drops. To enable it, navigate to Tools > Options > Advanced > Network Interface.
- Configure the integrated proxy settings to maintain higher levels of online security. For this Go to Tools > Options > Connections > Fill out the required information boxes.
That’s it. You can enjoy a better and more secure torrent downloading experience with all these settings.
Is qBitTorrent Legal to Use?
qBitTorrent is legal or not, depending on how you’re using it. Downloading legal and sanctioned content via qBitTorrent is perfectly legal, and there’s no harm in doing it no matter from where you’re using the software. However, if you use qBitTorrent with some bad intentions and download the copyrighted content, it might bring great trouble for you. Downloading copyrighted content is illegal from all perspectives, and you can get booked for copyright violations. Hence be careful while downloading torrents.
Is qBitTorrent Safer Than uTorrent?
qBitTorrent and uTorrent are the two top and widely used torrent clients. Both of them offer a clean user interface and decent downloading speed. But when it comes to security, qBitTorrent is way better and safer than uTorrent.
uTorrent, unlike qBitTorrent, is a closed source software and comes up with some significant security flaws and vulnerabilities from the past, like the crypto-mining malware. The table below gives a quick review of the differences between uTorrent and qBitTorrent:
| Features | uTorrent | qBitTorrent |
| Pop up Ads | Yes | No |
| Software Code | Closed source | Open Source |
| Major Vulnerability | Yes | No |
Follow this link if you want to learn more about uTorrent safety and security.
Final Thoughts
qBitTorrent is a famous and most used torrent client. It is reliable and legal to use. Also, it offers a variety of features that makes your torrenting experience worth amazing. Unlike many other torrent clients, qBitTorrent hasn’t experienced any significant security loophole. This is why it remains the most preferred choice of the users.
However, this won’t change the fact that you can still face the consequences of downloading torrents. Thus, it’s crucial that you should always use a VPN and antivirus software while using torrent software. These security-boosting tools will enhance your digital and device security while torrenting and ensure a hassle-free experience so, do use them.
