In this article, I’ll summarize how to share files privately, without being spied upon. I’ll cover two file sharing networks — Bittorrent and the Usenet. The Usenet tends to have faster downloads, until you get a good download/upload ratio on Bittorrent (if you don’t know what the Usenet is, please see this article).
Using BitTorrent To Share Files Privately
Download A Good Quality BitTorrent App
My recommended BiTtorrent apps are: Transmission (for Linux, Mac), Deluge (for Windows, Mac, Linux). These are free, sophisticated apps that support privacy options.
For Android, the you can use the lightweight uTorrent app.
Retroshare is another option, this app allows encrypted connection between private groups.
Install and use a private VPN
There are many companies and law firms eavesdropping on bittorrent networks. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a straightforward way to conceal your IP address, and ensure your privacy. The best VPNs are those have policies that allow P2P transfers on their servers (such as Private Internet Access). See my recommended providers in this post: The Best VPN For P2P.
Find a good Torrent Index
To find torrent files that others are sharing, you need a good torrent index. I recommend Kickass and Torrent Project. They have relatively few advertisements and pop-ups. I advise using AdBlock Edge, to filter ads.
Avoid snoopers by setting up a Peer Blocklist
Another way to avoid snoopers is to download a Blocklist — this is a list of IP addresses you don’t want to connect to when using Bittorrent. This helps keep anti-P2P organizations and virus spreaders from connecting to you. You can download them from I-Blocklist. In the Transmission app, you go to Preferences and chose the Peers tabs to add the blocklist URL.
Set your Torrent App to prefer encrypted communications
To make your file sharing more secure, set your bittorrent app to prefer peers using encrypted transfers. In the Transmission app, this option is under the Peers tab in Preferences.
Using the Usenet To Share Files Privately
Older than the Internet, Usenet is one of the original distributed networks. Still in wide use today, the Usenet now contains a huge number of messages and files.
In 2004, a site called Newzbin started indexing the files available on Usenet and created the NZB file format. A NZB file is the Usenet equivalent of a torrent file. Basically, a NZB file that just contains a pointer to files available on Usenet.
Get A Usenet Account
To get started with Usenet, you need to pay for Usenet access from a provider. You can expect to pay about $10-$20 per month for access. I recommend UsenetBucket — these are my other recommended Usenet Providers.
Set up SABNZDb
You’ll need an application to download all your files. My recommended app is SABnzbd (for Windows, Mac and Linux).
Join a indexer like NZB.su
You’ll also need a way to search files on the Usenet. My favorite one right now is OZNZB. You’ll have to register (for free), but only takes a few minutes. Note: To login you must use the address http://www.nzb.su/login.
Install and use a private VPN
It’s less likely that you’ll be spied upon when using the Usenet, but it still a possibility. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a straightforward way to conceal your IP address, and ensure your privacy. The best VPNs are those have policies that allow P2P transfers on their servers, like ExpressVPN. See all my recommended providers in this post: The Best VPN For P2P.
Disclaimer: Please check your local laws to ensure you not breaking any local laws when sharing files.
If you have to pay for ANYTHING, it attached your identity to the service or item purchased.
Eventually, they can track you that way. Just a matter of time….
Also, the NSA has supposedly cracked the https protocol.
Maybe a new protocol should be made?
Or mabe transfer files and surf via the Gopher protocol (not used very much)..
Or transmit via https and receive vis gopher?
Spies would have to double their monitoring.
Very nice write-up. I definitely love this website. Thanks!