Deluge is one of the favorite options for torrent users and it is recognized for its flexibility. Apart from being a lightweight client, it is open source, doesn’t feature ads and it can be managed remotely like a seedbox. This combination of convenient features has enabled it to become a popular solution. However, it is important to keep in mind that in spite of its power Deluge is not immune to security issues. When you use a torrent client like Deluge, it is important to take the necessary measures to protect your identity. We’ll look at the main security aspects that you need to keep in mind when using Deluge, and we’ll discuss how you can keep your privacy protected.
Deluge stands out from other BitTorrent clients thanks to its daemon/client functionality. A daemon is an application that runs in the background of your computer and it doesn’t have a visible interface. Since these programs don’t require a graphical interface to operate, they can be controlled by multiple clients (user-interfaces) and also over the network. Deluge offers three main interfaces: the standard graphical one, a web-based interface accessible from the browser and an interface that works by typing commands. Having these alternative interfaces can make your experience more flexible as you can choose how you want to manage your downloads.
Another benefit of Deluge is that unlike other clients, it is not plagued with ads. It also features RSS via plugin, mainline DHT, libtorrent support, password protection and private torrents. While it is probably a better option for advanced users, anyone who wants an effective, streamlined BitTorrent client should give it a try. As with any other BitTorrent client, it is important to protect your traffic when using Deluge. This is why it should be used along with a VPN to keep your downloads protected from eavesdropping. The below options are ideal because they offer good speeds, high security and don’t keep logs that compromise your privacy. Of course, they also allow P2P.
How to use Deluge anonymously Using a VPN
ExpressVPN
If you are looking for a top-class VPN service that delivers high security and fast performance for your connection, you can’t go wrong with ExpressVPN. Their desktop software and mobile apps are known for their great quality. You get access to servers in 87 countries, which will give you a versatile experience. ExpressVPN offers practical features such as protocol selection and server location recommendations to ensure that you can secure your connection efficiently. There are no logs kept of your online activity.
TorGuard
TorGuard is focused on offering high protection and privacy for Torrent users so it is an ideal solution for Deluge. They have a solid privacy policy that establishes that no logs are kept of any aspect of your connection or traffic. Even DMCA takedowns are handled internally to prevent that the privacy of their customers is compromised. They have servers in over 50 countries and apart from offering affordable plans, they sell routers that have been pre-configured with the VPN service.
Ivacy
Ivacy is another solution that will help you to overcome restrictions and get the most out of Deluge. It offers access to servers in over 100 locations and it promises not to keep any logs that could compromise your privacy. Ivacy offers servers optimized for P2P and it has affordable plans that will help you to enjoy all the advantages of a VPN, without breaking the bank.
NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the best options when privacy is your main concern and it also offers good results in terms of speed. NordVPN has servers in over 50 countries and it supports great features such as Tor over VPN and double VPN servers, which provide an incredible level of security. The dedicated video streaming servers are ideal for those who need the best speeds. NordVPN has a solid zero logs policy and since it is based in Panama, it is not subject to strict data retention laws or NSA surveillance.
Surfshark
After an independent audit, the high quality and security of Surfshark has been confirmed. This provider is committed to offering strong protection for your online activities, as well as flexibility. You can connect to servers in over 50 countries and enjoy access to all the content that you want. Surfshark offers excellent software and a great selection of features. P2P is allowed and thanks to the unblocking capabilities supported, Surfshark ensures that you enjoy the best possible experience.
Main security concerns for Torrent users
There is a risk that others can see your torrent activity. When you use a torrent client such as Deluge, your IP address can be seen by every peer in the torrent swarm. In addition, your ISP is capable of monitoring your activity and get access to the data that you download. Your IP address is a unique number that is assigned to you by your ISP and other can use it to identify you. Websites like ipchicken.com and whatismyipaddress.com give you the chance to find out what is your IP address.
Your IP address is public and unless you use a tool to mask it, others will be able to see it, which gives them the possibility of finding out details such as your location and ISP. When you join a torrent swarm, all the peers in that swarm will be able to see your IP address. In order to see the IP addresses of your peers, all you need to do is to launch Deluge, select an active torrent and click on the Peers tab. Given that it is very easy to find out the IP address of your peers and that in most cases, there are thousands of peers in a swarm, it is important to consider using a tool that helps you to keep your real IP address hidden.
The fact that your IP address can be seen by your peers is not the only reason why you need to take measures to enhance your privacy. Your Internet Service Provider has the capacity of monitoring and throttling your torrent activity. All your outgoing and incoming traffic passes your ISP’s servers, meaning that they can see everything you do when you are connected to the internet. They can see and log your browsing history, the applications you use (including bittorrent), the files that you download and upload, the amount of data transferred and more. Fortunately, there is a way to prevent this. By using a VPN service, you can keep your online activities private and prevent your ISP and other parties from keeping track of what you do on the internet.
Securing Deluge with a VPN
While a VPN may slow down the speed of your connection, it is the bets option when it comes to keeping your torrent activities secure. When you use a VPN, your torrents are routed through the same tunnel as the rest of your data. Your real IP address is hidden and both your torrent and your browser IP address are masked with the IP address of the VPN server. An alternative solution is using a proxy, but this doesn’t encrypt your traffic. The encryption applied by a VPN scrambles your data so your ISP and other parries won’t find out what you are doing.
Another advantage of the encryption that you get from a VPN is that it can prevent your ISP from throttling your connection. Proxy servers help you to enjoy better speeds, but they lack the additional layer of protection that a VPN offers. Still, if you want to get the advantages of these two technologies, you can find use a proxy server in combination with a VPN. Some VPN providers even include a proxy service with their subscription.
Enjoy anonymity on Deluge with the help of a VPN
With a VPN you can hide your real IP address and encrypt your torrent traffic at the same time. The most practical solution is to choose a VPN provider that offers custom software that you can install and connect to without hassle. In order to make your Deluge torrents anonymous with a VPN, you just need to sign up for a service, install the software and connect to a VPN server. It is advisable to select a server in a Romania, Netherlands, Switzerland or other country that is known as a torrent-friendly location. Once you have connected to the VPN server, you just need to open Deluge and torrent as usual.
One of the best options to protect your torrent traffic is Private Internet Access. They offer an affordable service, useful features like kills switch and access to thousands of servers in 25 countries. Once you install the VPN client on your computer, you will be asked to enter your login details, which are sent to your via email as soon as you set up a subscription. Once you enter the username and password, the information is saved by the software and you don’t need to type it in whenever you want to log in to your account. You have the option to get PIA to load with Windows when you start your device. It is also possible to select an auto-connect option that activates the VPN as soon as it is loaded. Then you can select the region you want to connect to from the drop-down menu.
When a connection is established, you can hover your cursor over the PIA icon to the IP address of the VPN server you are connected to. Now, your torrents will be secure and anonymous, and you can use Deluge without worrying about compromising your privacy. Your real IP address will be replaced with the VPN IP address, and this is what other will see. Your torrent traffic will be automatically encrypted so others won’t see what data you download and won’t be able to figure out your location.
