I know this is a dumb question... But i cant really aford a vpn like at all, is it possible to torrent without using a vpn in the USA or will i get in some trouble and go to jail if i torrent without a vpn?

The reason i cant get a vpn is because im just broke and im young enough to live with family so i cant really get a job.

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[–] Ioughttamow@fedia.io 5 points 1 week ago

Yes, I ignored it for a while but then got walled off by charter until I acknowledged I’d fix the torrenting issue with my account. Got a von and never had a problem again

[–] brainwashed@feddit.org 5 points 1 week ago

I think that depends very much on your jurisdiction and the type of content you download. In Germany when I did things without VPN I most of the time downloaded english content and not the latest blockbusters. Copyright enforcment companies, at least back then, were hired for specific newer movies. Now I have things more automated so I'd rather not risk tripping any wires.

[–] nesc@lemmy.cafe 4 points 1 week ago (2 children)

You can get a vps for $5/month or less. Installing vpn software with one of the automagical scripts takes 30 minutes at worst.

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[–] TachyonTele@piefed.social 4 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (8 children)

I've never used a vpn while torrenting in the US. Unless utorrent has one built in. Been doing it for 25 years and never had a problem.

People probably won't like that answer, but whatever. It's true.

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[–] johnwicksdog@aussie.zone 3 points 1 week ago

Like most things, it depends on your jurisdiction and the policies of your ISP. But as a general rule, yes, you should take steps to hide your IP.

Probably a good case example is to look at how many people in your area were sued for torrenting. For example, the rights holders to Dallas Buyer’s Club famously went nuclear on torrenters, so maybe start by searching that. Of course none of this is legal advice.

PIA is pretty reliable in my experience and their three year plan is quite affordable.

[–] Liberal_Ghost@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 week ago (2 children)

Just use ProtonVPN. They have a free tier. No credit card required. Its slightly slower speeds, but it will keep you from getting in trouble while sailing the high seas 🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

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[–] BillionsMustSeed@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 week ago

depending on what you you plan on downloading you can probably use direct downloads instead, and you won't need a VPN if I'm not mistaken. no idea if and how available things are, though

[–] DeathByBigSad@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

If you convert a magnet link to a .torrent file (there are many sites that can do that) and then upload the .torrent file to archive.org, they'll download the files to their servers as part of their archival process, then you can just download the files via standard https, you ISP will only know you downloaded from archive.org.

But archive.org isn't really meant to be used this way, so this is probably unethical. But I think section 230 protect them (for now), so its not like they'll get shutdown or anything (correct me if I'm wrong).

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[–] msmc101@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 week ago

well with tormenting no but torrenting? yes

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