The Pirate Bay (TPB) torrent site was founded in 2003. (Photo : Twitter / ThePirateBay)
Following the sudden disappearance of Kickass Torrents and meta-search engine Torrentz.eu in the past months, torrent fans now have to deal with The Pirate Bay being blocked by both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. Will the ongoing web browser restriction expand and affect other KAT alternatives - ExtraTorrent.cc, 1137x.to, RARBG and YTS.ag - too?
To be clear, TPB remains accessible, specifically the home page and category pages but the problem begins, according to Venture Beat, when users click the download link. Google's Safe Browsing tool that both Chrome and Firefox use will trigger a warning of possible phishing incident.
"Attackers on thepiratebay.org may trick you into doing something dangerous like installing software or revealing your personal information (for example, passwords, phone numbers, or credit cards)," was the advisory from Chrome.
"This web page at thepiratebay.org has been reported as a deceptive site and has been blocked based on your security preferences. Deceptive sites are designed to trick you into doing something dangerous, like installing software, or revealing your personal information, like passwords, phone numbers or credit cards. Entering any information on this web page may result in identity theft or other fraud," Firefox warned, per Venture Beat.
Yet according to TorrentFreak, users can just dismiss the notices and proceed with their usual torrenting habit but obviously at their own risk.
Will other KAT alternatives get blocked too?
Now the question for most users is after blocking The Pirate Bay, will the other KAT alternatives be on Google's crosshair. Such a scenario is not a remote possibility as TorrentFreak said that ExtraTorrent.cc was previously red flagged by web security provider Comodo. And the latest TPB is the second in a short span so it would be hardly surprising if the torrenting destinations will be soon be labelled by Google Safe Browsing as websites with phishing and malware risks.
Currently, the top five alternatives to Kickass Torrent and Torrentz.eu are the following - ExtraTorrent, 1137x, RARBG and YTS.ag. Heading the pack is none other than The Pirate Bay.
And if indeed these file-sharing sites will end up on the risk list of Google Safe Browsing and be blocked, there are two simple things that torrent fans can do to solve the problem. One is the use of VPN or virtual private network that not only permits for safe and private browsing but also allows circumventing of site blocking.
Fans of The Pirate Bay and other Kickass Torrents alternative can use alternate browsers such TOR Browser and Opera. The latter is noted for its built-in VPN feature that makes for safe and smooth torrenting experience.
