We have constructed this post to deliver ways to prevent DNS leaks while torrenting. So, let’s get started.
Torrenting and P2P file sharing are how tracking is easy, which is considered a risky process.
It is essential to obscure the IP address while torrenting. It is the handiest way a malicious person gets access to the sensitive data of a torrenter. Also, some countries have harsh laws regarding torrent sharing. And the individuals who are downloading or uploading legal torrents also get the notices.
To hide IP addresses and to implement data encryption, tools such as Tor and VPN are used. However, sometimes the user identity is exposed even in the presence of these privacy layers. This identity reveals it occurs due to specific causes, among which DNS leak is a prominent cause. The DNS leak reveals user identity, and it is more dangerous because the user is considering safe. However, they are not.
Before we reveal the solution to prevent DNS leaks while torrenting, there are other things to discuss. So, let’s begin with it.
How Your Identity Is Exposed While Torrenting
The torrenting procedure runs on file sharing, which is carried out through the file-transferring protocol called BitTorrent. This software divides a large torrent file into several small pieces to make the downloading process simpler and faster.
When you download a torrent file, it connects to a tracker that keeps track of every user’s (peer) IP address. This tracker also stores the information that a peer has and which part of the file is needed. Therefore, with the help of a tracker, the BitTorrent software identifies which user has the complete torrent file. Also, which parts are required and which features you need. It would also help if you remembered that the process of downloading and uploading is going on simultaneously.
Many trackers are stored on a central server, and unfortunately, it is not encrypted. That’s why the IP address of every downloader and uploader of a Torrent file is visible in the tracker. If a malicious entity or snooper wants to track your IP address, it can access the tracker and get all the information. The users in that torrent pool could also see the IP address and actual geographical location of every downloader and uploader of that torrent file.
The entities that track the user IP could eventually extract the name and other vital information through the location. Therefore, the IP address must be invisible when you are sharing a torrent file.
How The Identity Is Obscured While Torrenting
Many users have opted for the IP obscuring methods so that their identities remain anonymous while torrenting—many tools, such as a Tor browser or a VPN, mask the user’s IP address. When connected to a VPN, it establishes a connection in which the user’s device is connected to a VPN server. All the internet traffic is generated through this server, and your IP and location are switched according to that server location.
Therefore, neither your ISP nor any other internet entity could know the real information about you. Moreover, they could not track your activities. Similarly, while torrenting, the tracker will get the IP address and location but the one allocated by the VPN server. So, if anyone tries to track you through these details, they couldn’t reach anything.
Unfortunately, there are occasions when an IP leak happens, and your information is unknowingly exposed on the internet. The flaws such as WebRTC leak and DNS leak could make your accurate IP information obvious.
What Is DNS Leak?
DNS is the system through which your device communicates with the internet. Whenever you enter a URL into the internet browser, it is in word form, such as www.vpninsights.com. However, the internet couldn’t understand the words, and it requires the number from the IP address of that website so that you could be landed on the website necessary. So, they get the site’s IP address from the device DNS.
Mostly, the DNS server is set to the ISP DNS. Herefore, the internet provider could monitor all the internet activities of a user through his IP address.
When a user connects to the VPN, the DNS is also changed to the anonymous VPN DNS server to keep the real IP obscured. However, sometimes the DNS requests are leaked to the ISP DNS even in a VPN. This is known as the DNS leak.
There are many reasons why the VPN DNS server is neglected, and the ISP DNS again appears in the default setting of your device. The reasons for DNS leak could be;
- A VPN could ignore the DNS requests, and eventually, it is transferred to the ISP DNS.
- Sometimes, the system reboot, up-gradation, or clean install could revert your device setting again to the ISP DNS.
- The browser feature such as WebRTC can leak the IP address and DNS to the ISP and the internet websites.
How To Prevent DNS Leak While Torrenting
The most effective way to prevent DNS leaks while torrenting is to use the VPN with appropriate features. For instance, you should choose a reputable VPN service with DNS leak protection and IPv6 leak prevention.
It would help if you also disabled the WebRTC from your browser, which is the leading cause of identity exposure. But, before and after this prevention, you should run a DNS leak test. The test is essential to get the acknowledgment of whether your DNS is leaking or not.
To test the DNS, you have to follow these simple steps;
- Connect the VPN and click execute test
- After this, you will see the DNS results. In these results, if there are accurate IP details or your actual hostname or reallocation, then your VPN is leaking DNS requests.
However, you must regularly test your VPN performance.
Conclusion
Torrenting is a feasible way to get huge files that are otherwise really hard to download and time-consuming. Yet, it could be troublesome when it comes to privacy or legality.
As mentioned before, the torrenting legality depends on the country you live in and on the content. However, the threat of hacking is always there when you are torrenting without any privacy tool.
