11 Best PeerBlock Alternatives To Block Malicious IP Address

PeerBlock is a free and open-source personal firewall that allows users to block incoming and outgoing connections from IP addresses. It was designed to safely download torrents from torrent sites as it helped block IP addresses associated with government agencies, copyright enforcement agencies, and malicious actors. 

At its inception, the software was popular among BitTorrent users as it helped download torrents anonymously. It remained reliable until it regularly updated its list of known IP addresses to ensure privacy and security. However, outdated software does not protect users against various threats. 

Moreover, some users have reported that it can slow down their internet connection or cause compatibility issues with specific software or services. Amidst this, the only option left available is to look for reliable PeerBlock alternatives that can help ensure the same privacy and security as that of the original software. 

Major Flaws In PeerBlock

PeerBlock was once one of the most reliable, safe, and secure torrenting methods. However, it became flawed, leaving users to switch to other alternatives. Some of the most significant spots include:

1. Limited database: it uses a limited database of blocked IP addresses, which may not cover all known malicious sources. This means that some malicious traffic may still get through.
2. Lack of updates: it has not received regular updates in recent years, which may make it vulnerable to new threats.
3. Compatibility issues: it is not always compatible with newer operating systems, which may cause it to malfunction or not work.
4. False sense of security: Some users may believe that they are fully protected when the program only blocks connections from a limited number of sources.
5. Performance impact: it can slow down your internet connection and overall system performance due to the high number of connections it blocks.
6. No Data Encryption: it has no data encryption feature, leaving your data vulnerable to prying eyes. 
7. Lack of online anonymity: it does not hide your IP address, leaving you vulnerable to online monitoring, tracking, and spying.  

These flaws have led users to switch to PeerBlock alternatives offering better performance, more comprehensive databases, and regular updates to ensure protection against the latest threats.

11 Best Alternatives to PeerBlock

Since PeerBlck became unreliable, torrent users have been searching for reliable software that provides the same levels of online security. The following software offers better privacy and ensures a reliable torrenting experience. 

VPN (Most recommended)

A VPN is an online privacy and security tool that promises a secure, fast, and reliable torrenting experience. It encrypts user data traffic, hides their IP address, and reroutes data through remote servers to ensure online privacy and anonymity. Moreover, by masking your IP address and encrypting your data, VPN helps you stay safe from online monitoring or surveillance issues. 

While essentially both tools work differently, a VPN ensures security by encrypting user data and masking IP addresses, and a PeerBlock only blocks specific IP addresses from accessing your device. Nevertheless, a VPN is one of the best alternative software to use primarily because of data encryption and additional features such as ad-blocking and malware protection. Some of the pros and cons of using a VPN are as follows:

Pros:

• VPNs provide encryption and privacy for your internet traffic, not just specific IP addresses.
• A VPN helps bypass internet censorship and access blocked websites.
• Some reliable torrenting VPNs offer additional features like ad-blocking and malware protection. 

Cons:

• VPNs can slow down internet speeds, primarily if connected to a distant server.   
• Not all VPNs are created equal, and some may not be as secure as others.
• VPNs typically require a subscription fee.

Here you can find all the best VPNs for Torrenting and P2P Filesharing.

BeeThink IP Blocker

BeeThink IP Blocker is a simple, user-friendly software application that is a reliable alternative to PeerBlock. It analyzes the incoming and outgoing network traffic and blocks any IP address or range listed in its blocklist. The software supports almost every IP list format, including TXT, DAT, P2P, ZIP, and .htaccess. It allows users to filter torrent networks based on their IP addresses, desired protocol, and other TCP/IP factors. 

Moreover, it also allows users to manually add and block unwanted IP addresses through the blacklist/whitelist option. The software is only available for WindowsOS, but the developers will soon expand its platform compatibility. Here is a list of all its pros and cons:

Pros of BeeThink IP Blocker:

• Easy-to-use interface
• Can block specific countries or regions
• Wide range of blocking options
• Supports both IPv4 and IPv6

Cons of BeeThink IP Blocker:

• A limited number of IP addresses in the default blacklist
• No support for HTTPS traffic blocking

Website link: https://www.beethink.com/ip-blocker.shtml

Simplewall

Simplewall is a free and open-source firewall that blocks incoming and outgoing traffic depending on user preference. The software has a user interface similar to PeerBlock and is considerably lightweight to use. Apart from that, it offers more control to users for backlisting and whitelisting addresses and offers IPV6 support. Moreover, Simplewall has remarkable network monitoring features, such as blocking Windows telemetry and spying by default. 

In other words, Simplewall is an excellent alternative tool because it is robust and flexible, providing advanced filtering capabilities and customizable rules. It also offers great network security features and thus helps ensure a reliable torrenting experience. Here are a few pros and cons of the software:

Pros of Simplewall 

• Easy-to-use interface 
• IPv6 support 
• Lightweight 
• Network security features such as auto-block Windows Telemetry and Spy 
• Users can create custom IP blocklists 

Cons of Simplewall:

• It only works for Windows 

Website: https://github.com/henrypp/simplewall/releases 

PeerGuardian

PeerGuardian is a free and open-source program that works similarly to PeerBlock. The software blocks incoming and outgoing connections to IP addresses identified as malicious or harmful. Moreover, this software also maintains a backlist of known IP addresses of all malicious and harmful entities, including government agencies, copyright enforcement organizations, and malicious hackers. The blacklist is then used to filter the network traffic.

PeerGuardian is an excellent alternative tool, as it is a similar program that blocks connections to blacklisted IP addresses. Here are a few pros and cons of PeerGuardian:

Pros of PeerGuardian 

• Open source program 
• Works on several platforms, such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux 

Cons of PeerGuardian

• Its blacklist does not get frequent updates.
• Hard to use for beginners.  

Website: https://sourceforge.net/projects/peerguardian/

FireWall Softwares

Firewall software offers privacy and security against online threats by monitoring network traffic and blocking anything suspicious. They scan and block incoming and outgoing connections from specified IP addresses or ranges of addresses. Additionally, firewall software can often provide more detailed information about all outgoing and incoming connections making it a reliable replacement. 

Several firewalls are available that promise the utmost network security, such as McAfee, Comodo, ZoneAlarm, Norton, and Windows Defender. While firewall software is a reliable alternate software, it does have a few pros and cons, such as:

Pros of using firewalls 

• They offer comprehensive network security 
• Users can configure them to block or allow traffic based on various criteria.
• They provide real-time monitoring and alerts.

Cons of using Firewalls 

• Firewall software can be complex and challenging to set up and configure correctly, especially for non-technical users.
• This software may block legitimate traffic or applications, leading to false positives.

Pi-hole

Pi-hole is a network-level ad and tracker blocker that blocks DNS requests for domains notorious for serving ads or trackers. It only works on a Raspberry Pi or other Linux-based device and blocks ads and trackers on all devices connected to the same network. For IP address blocking, the software has a specific mode that users have to set up manually. 

While Pi-Hole is somewhat different from PeerBlock, it is a good alternative since it serves the same purpose in a better and more advanced fashion. Here are a few pros and cons of Pi-hole for you to go through:

Pros of Pi-hole:

• Blocks a more significant number of ads and trackers as it can block entire domains
• Easier to install and use, requires no configuration of individual devices
• Lower system requirements, suitable for use on low-power devices

Cons of Pi-hole:

• Cannot block IP addresses by default 
• It does not provide as fine-grained control
• It may not be as effective at blocking advanced ad-tracking techniques

Official website: https://pi-hole.net/

NetGuard firewall (app for Android devices)

NetGuard is another software that you can use in replace of PeerBlock. It is a free and open-source Android app that allows you to block internet access for specific apps on your device. It creates rules determining which apps can access the internet and which connections are allowed. When an app attempts to establish an internet connection, NetGuard prompts you to decide whether to allow or block the connection.

The app’s easy-to-use interface allows users to block unwanted internet access, save mobile data usage, and increase privacy. It also supports advanced features such as domain name resolution blocking, user-defined filters, and IPv4/IPv6 protocol blocking. Here is what the app has to offer:

Pros of NetGuard:

• Free and open-source
• Easy to use
• Lightweight and doesn’t require root access
• It helps save battery life and data usage by blocking unnecessary internet access
• Provides detailed information about network usage

Cons of NetGuard:

• Limited to Android devices only
• It may require some configuration to work optimally
• Some apps may not function properly if their internet access is blocked

Website link: https://www.netguard.me/

OpenSnitch (For Linux)

OpenSnitch is a free, open-source firewall software for Linux that lets you monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic. When an app attempts to establish a network connection, OpenSnitch prompts you to decide whether to allow or block the connection. It creates rules that determine which connections are allowed and which are blocked. The software supports blocking IP addresses, but users must set it up manually. 

While the software slightly differs from PeerBlock, it is still a reliable replacement as it does help ensure security by blocking malicious traffic. It offers a much granular control over the network. Here is an insight into what OpenSnitch has to offer:

Pros of OpenSnitch:

• Granular control over network traffic
• It helps ensure privacy and security by allowing you to block connections to suspicious or unknown hosts
• Real-time monitoring of network traffic
• Easy-to-use interface
• Free and open-source software

Cons of OpenSnitch:

• Only available for Linux
• It may require some configuration to work optimally
• Some users may find the constant prompts to allow or block connections annoying

Website link: https://github.com/evilsocket/opensnitch

Little Snitch firewall software (for macOS)

Little Snitch is a firewall software for macOS that scans incoming and outgoing network traffic and gives you control over which apps can access the internet. It creates rules that determine which connections are allowed and which are blocked. The software offers other features, such as allowing users to take screenshots or record network activity.

While comparing the two software, Little Snitch offers users more comprehensive privacy and security. Therefore it is reliable software to use in replace of PeerBlock. Here are its pros and cons:

Pros of Little Snitch:

• Granular control over network traffic
• It helps protect your privacy and security by allowing you to block connections to suspicious or unknown hosts
• Real-time monitoring of network traffic
• Easy-to-use interface
• Supports profiles for different network locations

Cons of Little Snitch:

• It can be expensive compared to other firewall software
• Some users may find the constant prompts to allow or block connections annoying
• It may require some configuration to work optimally

Website link: https://www.obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html

IPBlock

IPBlock is a free and open-source software application that enables users to block specific IP addresses or ranges from accessing their network or device. It maintains a blacklist of IP addresses associated with unwanted traffic, such as hackers, spammers, and advertisers, and blocks traffic from those IP addresses.

The software ensures relatively reliable privacy and security and is an excellent software to use. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of the software are as follows:

Pros:

• Active development and updates
• More customizable and transparent due to its open-source nature
• Lightweight and easy to use with a simple user interface
• Works on both Linux and Windows operating systems
• Supports both IPv4 and IPv6

Cons:

• Limited functionality compared to more advanced firewall software
• It may not be as effective at preventing outgoing traffic or protecting against malware or phishing attacks.

Website link:  https://ipblock.app/.

TinyWall

TinyWall is a free and lightweight firewall software for Windows operating systems. It is designed to provide advanced firewall features in a simple and user-friendly interface. The firewall software allows users to block or allow network traffic per application, making it easy to control which programs can access the internet. It relies on using a blacklist and whitelist, which users must manually maintain. 

Since TinyWall helps users attain the privacy that Peerblock promised, it is a reliable software. Here is an insight into all its pros and cons. 

Pros of TinyWall:

• It is a small program that is easy to install and use. 
• Allows users to block or allow network traffic per-application basis, ensuring a more granular control over network access.
• It can automatically block all ports that are not in use, which provides an extra layer of protection against network attacks.
• It uses the built-in Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) that provides better performance and reliability.

Cons of TinyWall:

• TinyWall is a simple firewall solution that lacks some of the advanced features. There is no automatic update feature, so users must manually check for updates.
• It does not display pop-ups or alerts by default, so users must manually whitelist or blacklist applications.

Website: https://tinywall.pados.hu/download.php 

Why is a VPN better than PeerBlock?

VPNs and PeerBlock are popular tools often used to protect online privacy. However, VPNs are a better tool to use as they ensure comprehensive privacy and security. While PeerBlock is software that blocks incoming and outgoing connections to and from IP addresses on its blocklist. In contrast, VPNs ensure online security by encrypting your data traffic and hiding your IP address. Moreover, VPNs helps ensure a reliable torrenting experience by:

• Providing super fast speeds by allowing you to bypass ISP throttling issues 
• Helps bypass geo-blocks 
• It ensures security from online surveillance. 

However, it is crucial to remember that not all VPNs ensure comprehensive online privacy and security. If you rely on free VPNs, you might get poor encryption and slow speeds since they don’t receive regular updates. Therefore, using only the best VPN for torrents is crucial to gain a reliable P2P experience. 

Why is PeerBlock No Longer Reliable for Torrenting?

When PeerBlock first appeared, it rapidly became popular among torrent users since it helped block connections from known sources such as anti-piracy organizations, government agencies, online tracking, and malicious users. For this, the software kept a list of known IP addresses of these respective sources to prevent connections from those IP addresses.

However, just as quickly it rose to popularity, the software soon met its decline as people stopped using it due to various reasons, including: 

• It’s blocklists were not comprehensive enough to cover all bad sources, and some malicious traffic may still get through. 
• The software became popular for giving users a false sense of security, leading them to engage in risky behavior while torrenting.
• ISPs can still track your torrenting activity as they can use other methods, such as deep packet inspection, to monitor your internet traffic.
• Often the software blocks too many IP addresses, including legitimate IP addresses, which are part of the swarm resulting in significantly slower download speeds. 

With PeerBlock becoming unreliable, the best way out is to look for alternate methods to help ensure a safe, speedy torrenting experience. One such reliable method is using a torrenting VPN to ensure the utmost privacy, security, and super-fast speeds.

Are proxy servers and Tor good PeerBlock Alternatives?

Proxy servers and Tor are reliable tools for online privacy and security. However, both devices have certain disadvantages, making them a poor alternative to PeerBlock. 

For starters, Tor might be an anonymity network, but it is not a reliable option for torrenting, and even its developers have made it clear that the network should not be used to download torrents. Moreover, Tor ensures users’ anonymity by jumping data traffic from one server to another. Since Tor has a limited number of servers, the network is very slow to use. Despite its reputation, Tor is also insecure and has been a part of various security issues, such as IP leaks and malicious exit nodes. 

Similarly, proxy servers are not a reliable alternate software either. While they can ensure minimum privacy by hiding your IP address, they don’t have any other feature that would make them reliable for torrenting, such as encryption. Therefore, they leave your data vulnerable while torrenting. 

How to uninstall PeerBlock?

To uninstall PeerBlock, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “Start” button in the bottom left corner of your screen.
2. Click on “Control Panel.”
3. Select “Programs and Features” or “Add or Remove Programs,” depending on your version of Windows.
4. Find the software in the list of installed programs.
5. Click on “Uninstall” or “Remove.”
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
7. Once the uninstallation process is complete, restart your computer to ensure that all components of the tool are removed.

Note that the exact steps may vary slightly depending on your version of Windows.

Is PeerGuardian a good PeerBlock Alternative?

PeerGuardian is a free and open-source firewall software that many people consider a reliable alternative to PeerBlock since PeerGuardian is a somewhat better version of it. While PeerGuardian offers the same feature of blocking known IP addresses, it works comparably with serval OS. 

However, the software is now known to have significant drawbacks. For starters, it is technical and not a good choice for beginners. Apart from that, like PeerBlock, it is no longer as effective in blocking IP addresses since the software no longer receives frequent updates. Considering this, PeerGuardian is not an excellent alternative tool to use to block malicious IP addresses. 

Final Words:

PeerBlock has long been a popular choice, but these alternatives provide more features, better performance, and more frequent updates.

Qbittorrent, Deluge, and Transmission are some of the best alternatives, all of which are highly rated and user-friendly P2P clients that include built-in IP blocking features. VPN services, on the other hand, offer not only IP blocking but also privacy and security for all online activities.

Other alternatives like PeerGuardian, Moblock, and NetCut provide comparable IP blocking capabilities to PeerBlock, but with more frequent updates and support for newer operating systems.

Ultimately, the choice of which alternative to use will depend on individual preferences and needs. However, it’s clear that these alternatives offer valuable tools for securing privacy and safety while engaging in P2P file sharing. It’s essential to prioritize security and privacy while using the internet, and these alternatives provide excellent means of achieving that.

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