Will downloading torrents give you spyware/malware?

[Xiaoxiao]

Such as movies from the popular torrent sites like piratebay and others.  I make sure it is only the .mp3 or .wmv etc files and no other files are downloaded.  

Using a software like utorrent, is it safe to do that and also mess with bitcoin and other financial stuff?  I mean i'm dearly afraid of some keylogger (as we all are).   Am I being paranoid?

[protokol]

Avoid any sort of executable files/zip archives etc. and you should be OK. Also avoid pdfs.

One thing I would be wary of are dodgy ads/popups and Java stuff on the actual torrent site itself, basically just don't click anything and have adblock plus installed.

If you have a wallet file on the computer however, I would move it to an offline computer to be safe. I personally use paper wallets, with a small amount in a blockchain.info hot wallet with 2FA. Can't be taking any chances!

[Xiaoxiao]

Avoid any sort of executable files/zip archives etc. and you should be OK. Also avoid pdfs.

One thing I would be wary of are dodgy ads/popups and Java stuff on the actual torrent site itself, basically just don't click anything and have adblock plus installed.

If you have a wallet file on the computer however, I would move it to an offline computer to be safe. I personally use paper wallets, with a small amount in a blockchain.info hot wallet with 2FA. Can't be taking any chances!

What about a pdf file that a friend (who doesn't know about computers too well) sends you over gmail?  You know how u can open via gmail w/o downloading it, does it mean gmail recognize it as legit pdf and therefore ok to d/l?

BTW- what is adblock plus?  that works for a program such as utorrent? or just internet browsers

[robbyd86]

a lot of sites have a way of marking files or members that are "trusted", whether it be a skull or a crown or something.  If you stick with those you should be fine.  As another precaution, read the comments if there are any, usually someone will flag it.

[CEG5952]

If you're careful, you will probably be fine, but as a general rule, anything bitcoin-related (including hot wallets) are on a separate computer. I just don't need those sorts of worries. But if you are careful about file types, and download only from trusted uploaders, you should be fine.

[Sydboy]

You will get a virus if the file has a virus, same as if you downloaded it via browser.
Try to avoid rar files if you can.

I have found over the years porn sites seem to be where you pickup a lot of virus and malware.

Ad block plus blocks ad popups and other annoying things of that nature.

Also don't download any thing from emails you get about bitcoin if it sounds to good to be true. Such as a company sending you ANY amount of bitcoins. There are a crap load of these about!

[Kimowa]

Such as movies from the popular torrent sites like piratebay and others.  I make sure it is only the .mp3 or .wmv etc files and no other files are downloaded.  

Using a software like utorrent, is it safe to do that and also mess with bitcoin and other financial stuff?  I mean i'm dearly afraid of some keylogger (as we all are).   Am I being paranoid?

No if the download file it self is not a virus..

[ranochigo]

Avoid any sort of executable files/zip archives etc. and you should be OK. Also avoid pdfs.

One thing I would be wary of are dodgy ads/popups and Java stuff on the actual torrent site itself, basically just don't click anything and have adblock plus installed.

If you have a wallet file on the computer however, I would move it to an offline computer to be safe. I personally use paper wallets, with a small amount in a blockchain.info hot wallet with 2FA. Can't be taking any chances!

BTW- what is adblock plus?  that works for a program such as utorrent? or just internet browsers

It only works for Firefox and chrome.
If you do not run the file, you should be safe. Most of the viruses have to be executed to infect the computer.

[Malin Keshar]

use adblock and watch on live linux?

The spywares, if any, won't self-install if you don't click on them

[enhu]

its usually the porn sites that hides malware to their files. Although windows 7 and 8 are considered not so vulnerable to viruses, they still can be infected. This is also the reason why i switch to linux since I download movies all the time. If you aren't sure how to avoid it then try linux.

[cech4204a]

Use max protection you can have, and keep on trusted sites and from trusted uploaders, so you will be fine. Make scans every week at least too.

[conteaza]

Use max protection you can have, and keep on trusted sites and from trusted uploaders, so you will be fine. Make scans every week at least too.

Using the best scanner/antivirus will not help ,downloading from trusted sites are less risky.

[jump4ever]

If you mostly download movies and series you will be safe.

[merockstar]

the answer is yes. but that doesn't mean don't download torrents.

that means first download virtualbox and run Ubuntu in it. use that for your wallets and nothing else.

backup your wallets, then download what pleases ya.

[KIRAZ]

On piratebay they have a Title Tag shown by purple or green, means they are a trusted member or Vip.
Download from them you are cautious. Or you can use Private Trackers Like Iptorrents & Torrentday for movies
but you need an Invite for it, they are pretty much safe.

[jaberwock]

Disable/Remove java, Read the comments/reviews of the torrent before you download. Don't open .exe, .scr .com .pdf and other executable files. If you find a file suspicious scan it with virustotal.com.

[Remember remember the 5th of November]

Disable/Remove java, Read the comments/reviews of the torrent before you download. Don't open .exe, .scr .com .pdf and other executable files. If you find a file suspicious scan it with virustotal.com.

+1. Flash and Java are in the Top 5 that causes infections.

[Xiaoxiao]

Disable/Remove java, Read the comments/reviews of the torrent before you download. Don't open .exe, .scr .com .pdf and other executable files. If you find a file suspicious scan it with virustotal.com.

+1. Flash and Java are in the Top 5 that causes infections.

sigh, multibit requires java.  also what can u do without flash?  can't watch youtube am i right?  can't even view google charts or anything.

[jaberwock]

Disable/Remove java, Read the comments/reviews of the torrent before you download. Don't open .exe, .scr .com .pdf and other executable files. If you find a file suspicious scan it with virustotal.com.

+1. Flash and Java are in the Top 5 that causes infections.

sigh, multibit requires java.  also what can u do without flash?  can't watch youtube am i right?  can't even view google charts or anything.

Try opening the piratebay website using tor. Tor has java and flash disabled. If you only open videos and audios you should be fine. I think the only problem would be the popups they could contain exploits/worms/virus that automatically runs. Just have an updated and powerful antivirus like avast and put the security configuration of your java to high.

[fatguyyyyy]

anything you download these days is a possible malware.