The program bit torrent is very safe. Now the files on the other hand, they can contain viruses and sorts without knowing it. It sucks to downlaod something just to see it contains some sort of virus in it. So it's not really in terms of the program, but the files you download, just like limewire and sorts. So just watch out what files you download, and stay away from obvious ones.

You know what the saddest part is? Your "Slow" downloads are actually my peak speed with the DSL connection I have here (I live in the caribbean)... So I know how it feels to wait for a couple of days for something to download.

NOW, I WOULD NEVER ADVISE YOU TO GO AGAINST YOUR DAD; which is why you shouldn't try sneak and connect your PC straight into the modem when he's not around.

You see... I'm guessing that you have the typical configuration ISP->MODEM->ROUTER-> PC's, so if, let's say during the night, you happen to go and plug your pc straight into the modem (which would be quite easier in the case that you had a laptop) and activate your BT downloads for lets says 4 hours at night, YOU'D BE GOING AGAINST YOUR DAD's WILL; and as I stated before I WILL NEVER SUGGEST THAT.

So, I know what you're thinking now... what if the modem has the ports blocked as well? well then you can: A) try changing the ports for the BT (which you should now either way), B) Then you're screwed and you'll just have to download like the rest of the human beings that (like me) happen to live in "Technologically challenged" countries... C) Try to do some "social engineering" with your father (aka kiss his behind and promise to wash his car from now until hell freezes over) and work a deal so he opens the ports for you.

Hope you can find a way around this issue. You may have some more options but I can't think of anymore right now...

Well, bittorrent doesn't have much of a chance to do anything harmful if you're running under BSD or GNU/Linux. If your dad is that paranoid about security, what is he doing using Windows in the first place? I'm not saying he needs to switch, but I am saying that BitTorrent should be the LEAST of his worries. Like someone said earlier, the only way his computer will be impenetrable to anyone, is if it's not on a network. Is this your own computer on a network? Or shared?

Haha, thanks. Maybe I'll try the plugin to the modem route. The download I want is (~3.67gb though) What ports do you recommend changing Bittorrent to?

This is my own laptop on a network with about 6 other desktops on it.
So yeah, if one gets a virus then it can spread to the others.

What is slightly different though is that I'm the only computer on a wireless network - the others are on a wired. My Linksys wireless router is plugged into one of the multiple wired routers around the house. The effect is that I am on my own personal network though - I can't see or access the other computers unless I plugin through a cable.

Hope that clears up the situation a bit.

In the three plus years ive been using bit torrent, ive never had one problem with it. No spyware problems no virus problems and from what i can gather no hackers.

Although p2p it is nowhere as bad as the likes of limewire and kazaa etc.

AS for the hacking, would say the same as everyone else, if someone wants to get into your network they will.

Just be aware that the 'powers that be' are now very aware of bittorrent. The crackdown will inevitably be coming soon. So, be careful what you download (and thereby upload) with bittorrent.

Eventually, its all going to go on freenet.

Most bittorrent sites I've know are know gone, which sucks. I use Limewire for my music program, but I don't download a lot. I maybe safe for now, but later in the future, I have no clue...

Well i have used torrents alot and havent had any problems. Programs like Kazaa, Morpheus, and limewire were easier for hackers and created a virus on one of my old computers.

I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but recently there has been lot of malware in torrents. It is usually quete easy to avoid by just reading the other users comments on the torrent. So read the comments, scan your downloaded files and post info if you noticed malware in the torrent.

And one more tip, be extra careful with zipper/rarred files. If a release is put into a archive although there would be no need for one (like encoded audio album) at least my suspicions rise. It is much nicer to see before hand what you are getting. Well at least the file names right...

Last thing I can think of. Use a proxy program like ToR

http://torr.eff.org

It kind of works like a proxy and I think bit torrent might just work fine on it. And the nice thing is you don't need to open any ports on your router for it.

Not sure about this part, but with that you can use bittorrent without having to forward ports yourself. I think