𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 needs to be updated

mullvad and proton stand as vpn. However, mullvad does not allow torrenting because there is no port forwarding. Mullvad should not be on the list

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Mullvad is one of the most proven privacy friendly vpn services. (the cops literally confiscated their servers and came out with nothing) Torrenting also isn't the only way to pirate data (plus seeding can be done without an open port, just limits you too peers with open ports)
- Mullvad is great if privacy is your only metric, but it's not unique in that respect and no port forwarding is a serious limitation in this context. I've been looking into alternatives and AirVPN and OVPN both look reputable.
- 2.0 is low
  Even on public trackers I maintain a 6:0 ratio to give back (or even more depending on the torrent).
You can still torrent with Mullvad, it's just gonna be slower because you have less peers. But it's still 100% doable. They don't block torrenting entirely..
- See my response to feebleneedle. It works, but it's not just that it's slower. Port forwarding is important for the health of the community.
  AirVPN and OVPN are options that seem to be of similar integrity to Mullvad.
  
  Sure, I was trying to correct the statement that it's not possible at all though.
  
  It's been years since the ovpn company was sold
- Yep. Some people seem to forget about NAT Hole Punching.
I torrent just fine without port forwarding, with more than 2.0 seed ratio on some.
Do you even know what you're rambling about?
- “Just fine” is relative. Torrenting requires at least one side to have an open port. If you don’t have port forwarding, you’re entirely reliant on other people having their ports open instead. Even if there are 1000 seeds, if all of them have closed ports you’ll be unable to connect to them. It’s kneecapping your connections for no good reason.
  
  What about holepunching?
- You could've had a ratio of 20 if you were torrenting with your port forwarded.
Still allows torrenting tho. K nvm
- u/daiqo said that before vpntorrents was shut down on reddit. He said airvpn protonvpn.
- Seeding is crippled due to no port forwarding. You can download, you just can't really share back.
  
  I have torrents have a great seed ratio and use mullvad
  
  This is exaggerated. I seeded 500gb in the last 3 days and I use mullvad.
  Port forwarding is not a strict requirement. The reciever can have open ports, and even if not, NAT hole punching often works.
I'm a little confused. Is that not a good thing? I'm still trying to learn.
- Without port forwarding you can only connect to those who do have it set up. Doing so yourself allows you to be a better citizen of the internet and share with people who don't know what it is.
  (Caveat: I am one of those people who don't understand it and am just parroting what was explained to me when I asked about this)
  
  So it's more a seeding issue rather than a leeching issue in this case I assume.
  
  See my comment here. An open port is only required for TCP connections. uTP/UDP allows the tracker to open up a port temporarily in many cases. This won't work for those stuck with ancient torrent clients.
  
  Port forwarding allows you to seed without revealing your IP address. If you seed on a VPN and you don't have port forwarding, your IP is revealed to those you seed to.
  Edit -- I was wrong. You can technically seed securely behind a VPN connection, but since you can't be connected to directly behind a vpn without port forwarding, you would only be able to seed to ppl who port forward, or who can be connected to directly. You would only be able to leech from everyone else.
  If everyone torrented like this (behind a VPN without port forwarding), all torrents would grind to a halt; nobody would be able to seed.
People still believe this port forwarding bs?
You can seed fine without port forwarding... Thats what trackers are for!
- That's partially correct, partially wrong. An open port is required to allow for incoming connections for torrenting over TCP.
  For TCP:
  If a seed does not have an open port, a potential leech with an open port shares their IP & port with the tracker. The seed regularly asks the tracker for potential leeches. If the tracker provides a leech with an open port, then the seed connects to the leeches open port. This connection then allows the leech to download from the seed.
  If neither of seed and leech has an open port, no connection can be established and thus no torrenting is possible.
  For uTP/UDP:
  If both peers (seed & leech) have no open ports, the tracker can use UDP hole punching to temporarily open up a port for the peers. The second peer can then connect directly to the first peer's port which has been opened up by the tracker.
  This only works for public torrents and with PEX enabled. For private trackers an open port is required.
  
  Thanks for explaining. There is a lot of conflicting information out here - do you have any sources for where I can learn more?
  
  This only works for public torrents and with PEX enabled. For private trackers an open port is required.
  Wrong, tracker provide IP and port of leechers, which is just what is needed to hole-punch. It is just slower, as the seeder fetch tracker info 1 to 4 times per hour, so by the time the hole-punched connection is established, leecher has already sucked up all the data from peers with open ports.
  If you want to build up ratio on a private tracker with closed port, seeding a piece of a fat 100Gb+ torrent will do.

49 comments