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Best VPNs for Transmission

Best VPNs for Transmission

By Daniel C.Daniel C. Verified by Sander D.Sander D. Last updated: July 25, 2024 (0)

Transmission is a free BitTorrent client software. Mainly popular with Linux users, the organization running it provides a service that is compatible to popular torrenting programs such as Vuze or uTorrent. However, because the software is not optimized for Windows in the first place, this results in substantial differences compared to the rest that are fitted for the Microsoft OS (even though there is a version fit for Windows, too). From the viewpoint of torrent security, the most important change to note is that instead of proxies, Transmission deals in encryptions. This is a difference for the better, but the level of security provided is not the best – better solutions exist. One of the most prominent of these is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Companies that offer such services specialize in high security encryptions and unblocking, making them an ideal candidate for complementing a torrenting client.

How to use a VPN with Transmission

VPN providers are useful in two main problematic areas of torrenting. First, there is the problem of accessibility. For financial, cultural, religious or other reasons, a lot of countries and organizations are not very keen on file sharing being present within the borders of a lot of countries. Ignoring the thought of “fair use”, they strive to establish more control over the localized content of the internet and its general availability. Therefore, if your country of residence forbids torrenting in some way or another, we suggest employing a VPN provider‘s help to connect to the internet with a country’s IP address that is more supportive towards file sharing.

Secondly, there is the problem of security. Torrenting clients that are optimized for Windows usually do work via proxies, resulting in less security. Transmission however – more fit for Linux users – is protected by encryptions. However, we must point out that the encryption is an MSE/PE one. If you are interested in even higher security, we recommend seeking a VPN provider that more often than not provides AES-type protection.

Country selection is another curious case if you consider doing torrenting. The most friendly place to connect to today for this cause is Switzerland, with barely any restrictions for downloadable content. Canada, Mexico and Spain are also great countries in this matter, while the Netherlands is a bit more conservative, but still offers better availability than the vast majority of the world.

Staying safe and anonymous

Because Transmission provides encryption and not proxies, we would like to help you out by providing a little help on how to set it up properly on Linux:

  1. Tools -> Options -> Connection -> Transport Encryption
    • Enable require encryption.
    • Select RC4.
    • Disable both fallback checkboxes.
  2. Tools -> Options -> Tracker -> Client
    • Enable “Do not announce the listening port to the tracker”.
    • Set the peer limit to a low figure, start with 1 or 2.
    • Set the Minimum time between tracker announces to 900 for example.
  3. Adjust DHT settings (2 mutually exclusive alternatives):
    • Disable the DHT: Go to Tools -> Options -> Plugins -> Distributed DB and uncheck Enable the distributed database.
    • Try to get more peers via DHT: Go to Tools -> Options -> Plugins -> Distributed Tracker and uncheck. Only track normal torrents.
  4. Try to seed a torrent you haven’t seeded within the last few hours or so before applying these settings.

Free VPNs for Transmission

Transmission offers better security conditions on average. Therefore, we would like to recommend you three VPN services that best serve as lists of locations to connect to and do torrenting there. If your country of residence is not so keen on peer-to-peer activities like this, we recommend you take a look at the following.

Secondly, IPVanish is another one you should read a bit about. Though offering less locations than PureVPN – a bit over sixty – IPVanish is one of the best providers in every other aspect of its service. Great, sustained speeds, similarly low prices, excellent device support and 24/7 customer service proves they are a solid choice, with very few drawbacks.

CactusVPN

First, a few words about PureVPN. With offering over one hundred countries to visit online, this company is a pioneer of safely connecting to other parts of the world. Their services also support SSL-type connections and their client comes with a rarely seen kill switch, shutting down your connection to the VPN if a problem arises. Considerably cheap at $4.16/mo, you get a lot for your money at PureVPN.

Saving the best for last in terms of countries, HideMyAss offers the most extensive network of countries you can reach today. The over 180 different locations offered is pretty impressive compared to the rest of the VPN business, considering that the second place company offers just a bit over half of that only. HideMyAss is also a great general companion for your online journeys; for starters, you can test out what they have to offer during a 30-day risk-free trial. If you are convinced and invest in one of their packages, you still have a chance to think otherwise. Within one month of your purchase, you can ask for a full refund any time. To top it off, HideMyAss offers all of the highest security protocols of today (although we do not recommend using PPTP, as it is unsafe compared to the rest).

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