Quick question on ratio

[kojito00]

Hello,

I've got a 0.00 GB DL, but I'm currently uploading a series. My question is: If the ratio does by UL/DL, do I still get a proper ratio even though my DL is zero? Will it even register at all? I mean, you can't divide by a zero, right? Right now, as it stands, I've got all zeroes in everything, but I want to start out with a good ratio. Thank you in advance!

[donald1]

it's fine, it will keep track of yur upload. may still say ratio of 0 or the infinite sign, but when you actually download something, you should get a number.

[kojito00]

Ok, thank you! That puts my mind at ease. I want to keep a very good ratio in case I needed to download something from BakaBT. Thanks again!

[donald1]

well, when you do download something, just let it sit there and seed back as long as you can. i been seeding some stuff for 18 - 20 weeks. one has 166GB uploaded lol. that way, you never have to worry....unlike some of our other new members every now and then.

[kojito00]

Ok, I will seed as long as I can (I'll try to reach at least 16 GB worth of UL without downloading anything). However, is that safe? From what I understand, P2P sharing is pretty much one person downloading files directly from you computer, right? Does that mean my computer is vulnerable if I leave it like that for a very long time? Oh, and I'm new to torrents (usually downloads by DDL), so I don't know a lot of things.

[Al_Sleeper]

You can safely download freeleech torrents to improve your seeding base.

[Freedom Kira]

Ok, I will seed as long as I can (I'll try to reach at least 16 GB worth of UL without downloading anything). However, is that safe? From what I understand, P2P sharing is pretty much one person downloading files directly from you computer, right? Does that mean my computer is vulnerable if I leave it like that for a very long time? Oh, and I'm new to torrents (usually downloads by DDL), so I don't know a lot of things.

Let's just say that you shouldn't be using BitTorrent if you are worried about something like that.

You should really learn how BitTorrent works and appreciate the technology, at least the very basic fundamentals (of both functionality and security), before you jump in on a site like this.

[kojito00]

Let's just say that you shouldn't be using BitTorrent if you are worried about something like that.

Well, everyone's new at something at some point. As a person who is unfamiliar with it, it's only natural that I take caution and worry. I do appreciate the technology, I really do (I mean, DDLs expire and torrents are somewhat timeless), and that's why I'm giving it a chance and trying it out despite having worries about it. All I'm asking is what is the catch? Or what do I have to watch out for? I'm not bashing the system, I'm trying to understand it so that I could avoid problems in the future.

[Duki3003]

Define vulnerable.
It all depends on your circumstances and your own level of paranoia.

[kojito00]

Vulnerable as in can people get other information from my computer other than what they are trying to download. Or be able to hack your computer, something to that effect. I don't know a lot about this, so if people can't do that using torrents, then I'd like to know. I saw various posts on the internet (like yahoo answers), and I see a mixture of things. So I'd like to know from the community itself.

[Al_Sleeper]

Vulnerability of your computer is mostly related to your OS, antivirus/firewall software and the frequency of software updates. It has nothing to do with using torrents from BakaBT because they do not contain any executable files whatsoever.

[Bozobub]

Using BitTorrent does not increase the risk of someone hacking your computer.  What it DOES do is leave you vulnerable to external observation of your activities.  All someone from the RIAA, say, has to do to find out your IP and what % of a torrent (and/or of individual files) you have completed is simply connect to the swarm, just like any other client.

This is why a VPN is highly recommended for BitTorrent in general, although it's generally not necessary for BakaBT.

[kojito00]

Thank you, Bozobub and Al_Sleeper, and everyone else who replied. That cleared things up for me. At least now my preconceptions are busted. Thanks again!

[Freedom Kira]

Well, everyone's new at something at some point. As a person who is unfamiliar with it, it's only natural that I take caution and worry. I do appreciate the technology, I really do (I mean, DDLs expire and torrents are somewhat timeless), and that's why I'm giving it a chance and trying it out despite having worries about it. All I'm asking is what is the catch? Or what do I have to watch out for? I'm not bashing the system, I'm trying to understand it so that I could avoid problems in the future.

No, you misunderstand. If you intend to use BitTorrent, you should overcome two hurdles long before you begin. One is the paranoia of being or becoming vulnerable at all (you should worry a bit, but I'd draw the line at where you start to question things), and the other is having anything on the computer that you don't want to lose or leak in the event of a vulnerability exploit (aside from having your hardware become part of a botnet). If either case applies to you, you should definitely reconsider.

[kojito00]

I appreciate the input, Kira. I'm good with my concerns about hacking/vulnerability now since a couple of the posters confirmed that torrents do not increase the likelihood of getting invaded or anything. I also don't have files that I'm afraid that might leak out (although I do hope that what you said about vulnerability doesn't include others being able to extract passwords to important accounts). I don't know anything about the botnet you mention, though, so I don't know what to think of it. Also, since you mentioned vulnerability exploit, how often does that happen? I mean if the chance is extremely slim, then that's not too big a worry. Lastly, it's not a crime or illegal to use torrents to get anime series that are otherwise not available to the country I'm residing at, right? For example, very rare anime series like Jigoku Sensei Nube or Bt'x? Otherwise, it would be blacklisted on this site, right? I'm restricting to using torrents to only get anime series I saw back then when I was still a child, see (when they were broadcasted on air).

[Al_Sleeper]

Theoretically, it is a crime, but the chances of you getting prosecuted for downloading anything apart from a few high-profile 'holy cows' (e.g. Bleach) are EXTREMALLY slim.

[kojito00]

The only high profile anime series that I know of are Bleach and Naruto Shippuuden (or at least the only ones I bother to download); Bleach has ended now, so only Naruto Shippuuden is the only series I take an actual risk with (which I doubt is even an issue since, I think, the recent episodes aren't licensed yet where I am, so it's nowhere to be seen here, let alone translated by any companies--thumbs up for fansubs!). Let alone the rare anime series that were not picked up by any companies outside Japan (thus without subs--again, horay for fansubs!).