Is a VPN necessary for torrenting?
I don't live in the US, so my ISP doesn't really seem to care what I torrent, but the megathread vehemently recommends to always use one. Since VPNs aren't cheap and I'm on a strict budget (wouldn't pirate otherwise), is it really that dangerous to torrent without one?
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You all seem to be starting from the basis that downloading a torrent is illegal. It is not, it is only distribution/upload that's an issue. If you behave as a leech and kill it after you're done the worst you're going to get is a complaining letter from your ISP.
I torrent without a VPN and haven't had a single email from my ISP, but I presume it's because I'm a business customer.
You should hedge this advise. It may not be illegal where you are, but it certainly is here in the U.SA. if you’re downloading “unsanctioned copyrighted material.”
Never had a letter from my ISP and I’ve been torrenting for 20 years.