How do I torrent safely in the US if I can't afford a VPN? (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 1 month ago by ScratchySoft@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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Before I say anything further, yes I know how much the recommended VPNs cost. I can read. Please do not interrogate me about it.

I've been wanting to get into torrenting for a while, particularly contributing to private trackers related to music (and to a lesser extent retro games, though I don't have much original stuff to put there as it's harder to find rare games than rare music). FMHY recommends RiseUp if I must get a free VPN while I'm working on my financial situation, though I'm not sure whether it's been tested in court. What are my options, if any?

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[-] HelloRoot@lemy.lol 6 points 1 month ago

Go to the small local library, they usually have free wifi, sometimes without registration and if you're lucky they don't filter any traffic.

There is also a map of open wifi hotspots online which work without registration also, but I'm too lazy to dig out the link.

Ask online for somebody to share their VPN. Many subscriptions explicitly allow inviting friends and family and allow multiple simultaneous connections.

[-] Eyedust@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 points 1 month ago

Local library worker here. Can confirm we don't track connections, we only tally how many use our wifi if we can figure it out. Basically the tally just includes whoever brings out their phone in the library.

Just be aware that the state can supply your library with free internet, and I'm not sure how that's set up. I personally don't like connecting to random open wifi, official or no.