While online privacy and security are more like a necessity, it is important to make sure that your IP address does not get exposed while you download or torrent files. In this article, we have explained how to hide your IP address while torrenting and downloading files.
A VPN is an online anonymity tool that will encrypt your connection and let you hide your IP address while streaming, downloading, and torrenting. Likewise, when you use a VPN for downloading, streaming, and torrenting, you need not worry about ISP data limits and download and stream without limits.
The IP address your ISP assigned to you is the virtual address that will lead to you. Exposing your IP address is more like providing your home address to strangers. You might download or torrent different types of files (except intellectual property, copyrighted material, etc.), from the internet. The chances of your IP address getting exposed are high when you torrent or download files.
Using a VPN is an excellent way to hide your IP address to download or torrent anything from the web without worrying about your IP getting exposed to strangers.
Can My Downloads Be Tracked When I Connect to a VPN?
When you are connected to a VPN, your IP address or your downloads cannot be tracked. A VPN will make sure your actual IP does not get exposed when you browse the web. It will hide your real IP address and assign you a new one, which means you cannot be tracked down using the IP address the VPN assigned to you. However, it does not mean all VPN services offer the same level of security.
You will need to go for a VPN service that follows a solid no-logs policy. This, in turn, means you will need to stay away from free VPN services and VPN services that appear shady, as such services might sell the personal data they collect when you sign up for the VPN. They could also track your online activities and display annoying irrelevant ads.
A trustworthy VPN service that offers unlimited bandwidth will help you stream as much as you wish and also eliminate ISP restrictions. As there is unlimited bandwidth, a VPN will help you download large files.
Some streaming services and websites have stringent policies and they use monitoring methods like deep packet inspection to find and block VPNs. In such cases, they may know that the IP address you used to bypass restrictions is owned by a VPN, but they will not be able to identify your location and track you. This shows your personal identity will remain hidden when you are connected to a VPN.
How to Torrent or Download Files Anonymously?
You can stay anonymous online by hiding your IP address, which is possible with a VPN service. VPNs are generally used to hide one’s online identity and keep them anonymous. Your ISP might assign you a dynamic or a static IP address. Even if it is a dynamic IP address that keeps changing, it will always point to your direction and your online activities can be tracked.
The only way to make sure you are not tracked back while downloading or torrenting is by concealing your IP address, which is possible with a VPN. With a VPN service, you can hide your IP address and browse the web or download your favorite content with the alternate IP address the VPN assigned you.
Other than keeping yourself anonymous online, you can also use a VPN to access geo-restricted streaming services, games, and websites. Your ISP cannot see what you do online, so you can avoid ISP bandwidth throttling, as well.
How to Use a VPN to Hide Your IP Address When Downloading and Torrenting?
- Subscribe to a trustworthy VPN, like NordVPN or another VPN service, from the list below.
- Download, install the VPN app, and launch it.
- Once you log in, head to the server list and connect to a server in a country of your choice.
- When you connect to a VPN service’s server, your IP will be hidden and you will be given a new IP address. Now, you can download or stream anonymously and your real IP will not be visible.
- Check privacy settings and make sure the VPN kill switch is turned on to ensure your data does not leak when your VPN disconnects accidentally.
Top Three VPNs to Hide Your IP Address While Torrenting and Downloading Files
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
- Express VPN
NordVPN – Best all-around VPN to stay anonymous online
If you are looking for a VPN with solid security features that will hide your IP address and keep you anonymous while torrenting and downloading files, you cannot go wrong with NordVPN. This VPN offers P2P support and has dedicated servers for torrenting.
It offers incredible speeds for browsing, torrenting, and downloading, as well. When it comes to security, NordVPN offers certain unique features like onion over VPN, double VPN, Threat Protection, dark web monitor, split tunneling, private DNS, and more to keep you secure online.
It follows a solid no-logs policy and all its servers run on RAM, so you need not worry about your data being tracked or stored. Apart from that, it uses 256-bit encryption technology to encrypt your traffic.
- 5200+ servers in 62 countries
- Use up to 6 devices
- Next-generation Encryption
- Double VPN Feature
- Strict no-logs policy
NordVPN has over 5000 servers across the globe, including the US, UK, Australia, and more. You can connect to any of its secure servers to access any streaming service or a game of your choice. This includes streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO, Sling TV, ESPN, Netflix US, Amazon Prime, and more.
This VPN allows users to connect the VPN on six devices, including routers. You can use your Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, etc., to browse the web or to download anonymously using this VPN. We recommend reading our NordVPN review to know more about its trial period and money-back guarantee.
Surfshark VPN – Unlimited VPN to mask your IP address
A pocket-friendly anonymous VPN, Surfshark VPN is another great option for downloading and torrenting files anonymously and hiding your IP address. Surfshark VPN is a truly unlimited VPN that offers unlimited speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and unlimited device connections, as well.
Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark VPN’s servers also run on RAM, so you need not worry about being tracked online. You can use one of this VPN’s secure servers to download or stream anything of your choice.
You can use this VPN on all your devices simultaneously and also connect it to your router to secure all devices that you connect to your router. It comes with features like ad and malware blocker, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, IP leak protection, kill switch and more.
- Connect unlimited Devices
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- IP & DNS leak protection
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Free Browser Extensions
- Strict no-logs policy
It encrypts internet traffic using 256-bit encryption technology and also follows a solid no-logs policy. You can connect to its secure servers to mask your IP address and download or torrent files anonymously.
As Surfshark VPN is compatible with almost all devices, including devices that run on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more, you can use any device to download, browse, or torrent files. If you wish to give this VPN a try, you can use its money-back guarantee. For detailed information on its trial and a money-back guarantee, check out our detailed Surfshark VPN review.
ExpressVPN – Fastest VPN for torrenting and browsing
The fastest VPN on this list, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for concealing your IP address and for downloading and torrenting files anonymously. This VPN has thousands of servers across the globe and you can connect to any of those servers to browse the web or download files.
ExpressVPN is also a RAM-based VPN that does not track or store its users’ personal information, browsing, history, etc. In addition, there is also a no-logs policy that assures users that their online activities will not be tracked.
Split tunneling, DNS leak protection, 256-bit encryption, threat manager, private DNS, etc. are among its security and privacy features. As this VPN offers super-fast speeds, you can watch your favorite shows and movies in HD and also download files in a breeze.
- 160 server locations
- Network Lock kill switch
- Zero-knowledge DNS
- VPN split tunneling
- Stream Sports online
Though this VPN allows only five parallel connections, you can set up the VPN on your router to secure devices you connect to your WiFi router. Netflix US, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, ESPN, etc., are among the streaming services this VPN can unblock.
Before you subscribe to this VPN, if you wish to give its features a try, we recommend using its money-back guarantee to test all its features for free. Learn more by heading to our detailed ExpressVPN review.
Free VPN to Hide Your IP Address While Torrenting and Downloading
Free VPNs are not recommended for complete online anonymity and privacy. Most free VPN services sell their users’ data to advertisers and on the dark web for monetary benefits. You also cannot expect them to keep your personal data safe as they may not come with stringent security features like premium VPN services.
Most free VPNs do not have a good server network, which means, you will have to connect to an overcrowded server. This, in turn, will slow down your connection and you may not be able to download files quickly or stream without lags.
Likewise, free VPN services may not support torrenting and will not have specialized servers for P2P activity. They also may not offer unlimited bandwidth and there will be a limit on the bandwidth you can use.
Some services that claim to be free might require you to upgrade to enjoy unlimited bandwidth and for torrenting support. Instead, you can subscribe to a trustworthy VPN service like NordVPN to hide your IP address and browse the web anonymously.
Conclusion
The best way to hide your online activities and keep yourself anonymous is by using a VPN. If you are worried about your IP address getting leaked while you download or torrent files, you can use a trustworthy VPN to mask your IP address and use the web anonymously.
We hope this article helped you understand how to hide your IP address while torrenting and downloading files. For updates on the best offers on VPN services, check out our page on VPN Coupon Codes.
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