This guide gets straight to the point and shows you how to set up and use PrivateVPN with uTorrent.
PrivateVPN is an excellent VPN for uTorrent for its specialty torrenting features like free port forwarding, standard military-grade encryption on P2P-friendly servers, and unlimited bandwidth.
But let’s get to the crux of the matter! Keep reading to see how to set up the user-friendly PrivateVPN with uTorrent.
How to Use PrivateVPN With uTorrent?
There may be slight differences between PureVPN’s Windows, macOS, and Android apps, but the process to safely download torrents remains similar.
I’ve used my Windows laptop for this demonstration:
- Purchase a PrivateVPN subscription.
- Install the PrivateVPN application and sign in with your credentials.
- Enable the internet kill switch by selecting Advanced View > Connection Guard > Kill Switch. The kill switch is enabled when a tick appears on the toggle.
- Connect to a PrivateVPN P2P-friendly VPN server.
- Use dnsleak.com to check for IP leaks (find test instructions below).
- Go to uTorrent and download the free or paid-for torrent client.
- Open a torrenting website on your web browser and click on the download link of the file you want to torrent. For this example, I’ve selected The Pirate Bay and a copyright-free version of The House of the Rising Sun.
- The uTorrent app will open automatically, and you’ll be prompted to accept the download. Click “Open uTorrent.”
- A menu opens where you can tweak download settings to your preference. You can adjust these settings or click “OK” for a standard download. I continued with a standard download for this demonstration.
- Your download will connect to peers and start.
Continue to download safely and off the radar of copyright trolls!
What Are the Best PrivateVPN Servers for uTorrent?
A quick chat with a PrivateVPN customer support agent provided insight into which servers are the best for uTorrent.
While the agent endorsed Sweden as one of the best for P2P, she directed me to use any of the servers listed under the “Dedicated IP/Torrent” category.
Her final words were, “choose a server nearest to you for good results.”
Use the image above as a quick guide to the available P2P server locations.
Note that the USA’s included in the list, which is good news for uTorrent users since not all VPNs provide P2P support in America.
How to Use Port Forwarding With PrivateVPN and uTorrent?
When you use PrivateVPN’s port forwarding with uTorrent, it’s important to note that the provider offers both static and dynamic options. This versatility allows you to choose the option that best serves your torrenting needs.
Static port forwarding is generally more reliable and stable but has few security risks. For example, other PrivateVPN users can expose your real IP if they’re connected to the same VPN server via a forwarded port.
This isn’t great for uTorrent privacy!
The provider’s dynamic port forwarding option is more secure and eliminates the need to reconfigure your torrent client whenever you reconnect to the VPN.
But it’s not always as stable as its counterpart.
The choice is yours, but I’ll provide steps to connect to either below:
How to Set Up Static Port Forwarding With PrivateVPN and uTorrent?
Here’s how you can get in on PrivateVPN’s static port forwarding action:
- Sign up for PrivateVPN.
- Install the PrivateVPN application and sign in with your credentials.
- Click “Change” to access the VPN’s server list.
- Select the “All Servers” category and connect to your preferred VPN server.
- Click Advanced View > Dashboard. Note the port number next to “Port Forwarding.”
- Launch uTorrent.
- Click Options > Preferences > Connection.
- Enter the port number in the “Port used for incoming connections” field.
- Uncheck the following boxes:
- Enable UPnP port mapping
- Enable NAT-PMP port mapping
- Randomize port each time uTorrent starts
- Click “Apply.”
Now, you can expect your torrents to download faster, and you can use PrivateVPN for torrent seeding.
How to Set Up Dynamic Port Forwarding With PrivateVPN and uTorrent?
Set up a dynamic port forwarding connection to use port forwarding without worrying about your IP being exposed while torrenting.
Here’s how:
- Sign up for PrivateVPN.
- Install the PrivateVPN application and sign in with your credentials.
- Ensure the kill switch is enabled.
- Click “Change” to access the VPN’s server list.
- Select the “Dedicated IP” category and connect to a server that supports torrenting.
- Confirm that the forwarded port indicates “ALL.”
Voila! No further manual uTorrent setup is required.
Can I Bind PrivateVPN to uTorrent?
Yes, you can bind PrivateVPN to uTorrent.
But first, know that PrivateVPN has a reliable kill switch and an Application Guard.
So, you may not need to bind the torrent client to your PrivateVPN app.
However, if you prefer the binding method, bombs away!
Both options ensure that uTorrent downloads torrent files only when the VPN’s enabled.
This protects your internet traffic from data leaks and DDoS attacks when the VPN-encrypted connection drops.
To bind PrivateVPN to uTorrent, try this:
- Launch the PrivateVPN app.
- Connect to a P2P-friendly server.
- Note the server’s IP address.
- Launch uTorrent and select Options > Preferences > Advanced.
- Type in “ip” in the search filter.
- Select “net.bind_ip” from the results.
- Enter your PrivateVPN server IP address in the “Value” window.
- Click “Set.”
- Select “net.outgoing_ip” in the results.
- Enter your VPN IP in the “Value” field.
- Click Set > OK.
- Restart the uTorrent client.
Now, you won’t be able to download torrents using uTorrent unless you’re connected to the chosen PrivateVPN server/IP address.
How to Check for Torrent Leaks With PureVPN and uTorrent?
Torrent leaks aren’t uncommon, and it’s good practice to run a leak test before torrenting with uTorrent.
It’s essential to the setup process if you value online privacy!
I like to use DoILeak.com for detailed DNS leak protection results.
To test for torrent leaks:
- Launch PrivateVPN.
- Connect to a P2P-friendly server.
- Open DoILeak.com in your web browser.
- Click on “Torrent IP Leak Test.”
- Click on “Begin test.”
- In the next window, click “Yes, my VPN is on.”
- Download the four torrent tests and enable the check box “All four files are running in my torrent client.”
- Click “Show Results.”
If you get the result “No issues found,” there are no torrent leaks, and you can continue downloading torrents. Follow the troubleshooting prompts if issues are detected.
Is PrivateVPN Good for uTorrent?
PrivateVPN is a good VPN service for uTorrent because it combines standard features like AES 256 military-grade encryption and P2P-friendly servers with free port forwarding. This allows it to provide a safe yet versatile torrenting experience.
Other benefits include:
- A strict no-logs policy. This, combined with the VPN’s privacy-friendly Swedish jurisdiction, helps to ensure watertight anonymity while torrenting using uTorrent.
- A kill switch that’s easily enabled by clicking a toggle. Once activated, you can use uTorrent knowing that you’re protected even if the VPN app fails.
- Support for multiple torrenting devices, including Windows, macOS, and Android.
- Application guard. This nifty tool allows you to select which programs you want to be terminated if the VPN gets disconnected. If you add uTorrent to the list, it will stop working if the VPN connection is disabled, ensuring you’re never torrenting without VPN protection.
Is PrivateVPN Fast Enough for uTorrent?
Not only is PrivateVPN easy to use with uTorrent, but it also encourages fast download speeds despite its Fort Knox encryption.
I ran a few tests to put my money where my mouth is.
First, I tested my base connection speed:
My 9.82 MB copyright-free file downloaded in 37 seconds at an average download speed of 257.9 KB/s.
Next, I connected to my nearest PrivateVPN P2P-friendly server (Brazil) and downloaded the same file.
The results weren’t that great. The file took almost 2 minutes to download, and there was a whopping 67% drop from my base average download speed.
But then, I turned on static port forwarding!
I connected to a local server in South Africa, and I’m super impressed with the results!
My download finished in a record time of 34 seconds at an average download speed of 314.3 KB/s. This is faster than my base speed result and outperformed my internet service provider!
PureVPN and uTorrent Download Speed Results at a Glance:
This comparison table summarizes my speed test results:
| Server Type | Average Download Speed | Download Time |
|---|---|---|
| None (base connection) | 257.9 KB/s | 37 seconds |
| Brazil (nearby P2P server) | 83.5 KB/s | 1 minute 56 seconds |
| South Africa (static port forwarding) | 314.3 KB/s | 34 seconds |
My tests prove that port forwarding is a useful VPN tool for faster download speeds!
FAQs
Is PrivateVPN Safe to Use With uTorrent?
Yes, PrivateVPN is safe to use with uTorrent!
The VPN provider ensures secure, anonymous torrenting, keeping you safe from cyber attacks and copyright trolls. Plus, both apps are legal, and you can’t be penalized for owning them.
Do I Need to Use PrivateVPN Every Time I Use uTorrent?
You don’t need to use PrivateVPN every time you use uTorrent, but it’s highly recommended!
PrivateVPN uses strong encryption to direct your traffic through an encrypted and protected tunnel, so your ISP can’t monitor your torrenting activity.
This also prevents ne’er-do-wells from getting their hands on your data.
Likewise, the provider offers special features like port forwarding to encourage faster download speeds.
What’s PrivateVPN's Copyright Policy When Using uTorrent?
PrivateVPN doesn’t endorse copyright infringement and advocates a policy prohibiting downloading or sharing any material subject to intellectual property rights without explicit consent.
According to the provider, any user who fails to follow the VPN’s Terms and Conditions while using PrivateVPN with uTorrent will have their PrivateVPN account terminated, and legal action may be applied.
Signing Out…
What’s not to love about PrivateVPN for torrenting? It ticks all the boxes for a reliable torrenting VPN service, and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to set it up with uTorrent.
My one niggle’s that it can only be used on up to 10 devices simultaneously.
But what are the chances of you (or your household) needing more connections than that? Low, I’d say.
If you don’t own this VPN yet, it’s your lucky day! Here’s an exclusive link to a juicy discounted offer.
Still not sure about the safety of uTorrent? Read “Is uTorrent Safe to Use?” for more insights and a recommendation of the best VPNs for torrenting.
