I'm on Windows, but it looks like PeerGuardian has a Mac version
These blocking apps just keep a list of suspect IP address, and will prevent these IP address from communicating with your computer. Depending on the BT client you use, there might also be a native plugin/addon for you BT client that does the same thing.
I would say there's no harm in running one, falls under the "better to be safe than sorry" category for me. Just be aware that while this app is running, it could keep other applications from working, like Steam for example. Till this day I forget I'm running the blocker, and waste time wondering why some other app isn't working correctly.
Ideally, the smoothest sailing in the BT world is to join private trackers. Once you go private, you pretty much eliminate the needs to hide yourself from the "bad people".
I've gotten hundreds of these. Pay for a VPN. Once I got a VPN, I never received another one of these again. Literally costs like 6 bucks a month and super easy to use. Private Internet Access is the one I use. It's pretty idiot proof.
Basically a vpn is a proxy, except with strong encryption between you and it. I'll assume you heard of proxies xD. There are many companies out there that offer this service, but you gotta be careful, some actually keep records of what passes through them, which kinda defeats the purpose. I've used BtGuard for a month, and AirVPN for 3 months now. Google those and you'll get their websites. It's like 12$ a month, but you definitely feel safer.
There is no protection when you are pirating… even the strongest anti-viruses might and will miss most complex and some simple exploits. Your only defence against the gov is to use VPN and choosing the right one (NordVPN isn’t bad).
Spohos HitmanPro catches most trojans but it still misses many. I for example used to use HitmanPro Alert with Blackberry Cylance and still noticed the occasional RAT so I gave up life on the 7 seas…
You wont be morally justified unless you pirate the exact same software from that company. (Though, seriously, why not call them up and bitch and moan).
As for pirating software, easiest way is to get a torrent client and google the name of a program for editing film media. Like Adobe Premiere, Final Cut (if it's a mac), Sony Vegas, or Pinnacle (which I dont actually like). Etc.. etc.
As for the viruses, you kinda just have to hope that the cracker didnt put anything in it. As, alot of the packaging tools are sometimes reported as false positives and you cant audit the code unless you are also a cracker. The most you can hope for is that the program isnt making any rogue calls out to some network or something. Though, for the most part there is not guarantee. So, you're screwed on that outcome.
If you're doing simple editing or quick editing perhaps acquire something free and opensource like Ubuntu Studio or CinelerraCV
Goodluck.
Use a VPN and connect to Netherlands. It costs you about 5 € per month but can be a very good investment.
You can find a ton of recommendations here: _recommendations_megathread_10/
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I personally use Mullvad and can recommend.
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Protip: Do not use cracked software online. Limit you self to offline software.
Hmm I'll have to check that out and get back to you on that one. I think I recall hearing about BtGuard once or twice. I share the same concerns as you and wanna pirate so bad... I mean lots.
But what I can tell you is: I've been using Spotflux (a free VPN) for about a few month and still haven't gotten any warnings.
Also if you've yet to hear of these sites please check them out:
(OpenVPN, PPTP and IPSEC/L2TP VPN Tunnels from only $3.33/mo*) the VPN that i use now since I couldn't figure out if spotflux was leaking my info to "Transparent DNS proxy"
Good luck mate. I'll check in after I look up info on BtGuard.
Edit: OH ye it's another vpn/proxy service... this is the first one i came across. I've heard that it leaks and never cared to check them out. Well it looks like most trust PIA much more and it's cheaper!