Scam sites often display thousands of fake "seeders" to make a file look popular and safe, even when no real peer-to-peer activity is happening. Darrick Wood School Risks of Downloading Untrusted Torrents Malware and Spyware:

Legitimate trackers usually have a clear interface, while scam sites may force you through multiple redirects or ask you to "verify" your age by clicking external links. Suspicious File Extensions:

Torrent sites allow for comments to be posted. If the file your child is wishing to download doesn't have any comments yet posted, Darrick Wood School

can help hide your IP address from third parties, though it does not protect you from downloading a virus. Darrick Wood School Important Note:

Many internet service providers (ISPs) monitor for torrenting activity. If you download copyrighted material, you may receive a warning or have your internet speed throttled. How to Stay Safe Online Use Reputable Trackers:

Always read the user feedback on a torrent. If there are no comments or if users are reporting "trojans," do not proceed. Run Antivirus Scans: Always scan any downloaded file with a reputable antivirus program before opening it. Protect Your Privacy: If you choose to torrent, using a

Some sites require you to create an account or provide credit card information to "unlock" a download, which leads directly to identity theft. ISP Consequences: