Do all torrents include malware?

Question

A friend of mine told me that torrent files always include malware, no matter what, and just deleting the .torrent file won't get rid of it after it's been unzipped and downloaded in µTorrent. However, I have a Mac, so I don't know if malware can do anything to me besides take up a little space b/c most malware is .exe, right? Anyway, I need to know if I've installed a bunch of malware by downloading torrents, and if so, how can I get rid of it?

Al · Accepted Answer

No, most torrents (I should say nearly all of them) include no viruses (for PCs and Macs). Be sure to get your torrents from a reliable site though, and read the comments on the torrent.

? · Answer

2

hero no .1 · Answer

Most torrent files are clean . It rings a malware warning if it contains a keygen or crack . Both of which are false . If you want to be sure , that you don't have malware through torrents , try to read the comments posted by people who have downloaded the torrent . You will get a clean idea about the torrent . 

If you wish to scan your Mac for viruses , then there are many antivirus scanners available in the market you can try any one of them .

Good Luck

Minh · Answer

Your friend is an idiot.

The only way his statement would be true is if ALL Torrents came from the SAME source.

Torrents is just a way to download files. There are safe and legal uses of Torrents. Take for example:
http://www.sintel.org/wp-content/content/download.html

A FREE and legal movie made with Blender. You can download it via Torrents.


But you're taking a risk downloading anything that's not legally free. No matter if you use Torrents, Limewire, Etc

Kevin Lee · Answer

No, not all torrents contain malware and viruses. Some may, but most do not, as long as you are downloading legitimatelly, and from the right sites and sources. Your friend is a bit.... Paranoid, dare I say. Apparently, he worries too much about viruses. Viral threats can always be fixed through simple things like dowloading antivirus software like avg or malware bytes

Anonymous · Answer

It's against the law to down load copyrighted torrents and you'll enter into trouble. My partner and i recommend having a VPN service when getting torrents. I'm using http://www.vpnmaster.org theypermit torrents on the European VPN servers.

Jessica Queller · Answer

Not all torrents include malware.

But also not all malware takes the form of a .exe.

Psychic Computer Repair® PEBKAC? · Answer

Your friend is ignorant of the ways of torrents.
~
He probably changes the air in his tires in winter and summer too.

softvision · Answer

No, it is not true. But make sure that you do not use torrent from unknown site.

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Do all torrents include malware?

9 Answers