Is downloading a movie using a torrent illegal? Can it be harmful even after...

[Judith]

...a virus scan? I have McAfee and was advised to scan the document before opening it. Will that search for all remnants of spyware and viruses?

[vivekN]

Unless it's authorized by movie maker, I'm sorry it's illegal. some makers put movie in torrents for promotion, if u use that then it's legal. since u can't verify which movie is promoted and which is not..donot download viruses can't help it though..use flashget for downloading torrent and u can configure ur antivirus with flashget so u wont get any virus

[pisces19522000]

well if you think limewire and downloading songs is illegal so is movies?

[Datri]

no more worry.....about that.....

but u must have the mcafee anti spyware with recent virus definitions and updates........

[SeanGrant]

It is illegal AND a torrent is a one way ticket into your computer. Just don't do it and pay the $10 movie ticket...

besides, the movies has a bigger screen

[Apotheosis001]

If its a major download site you shouldn't have to worry about Viruses. If you have a problem with the download don't download then.

McAfee = one of the worst Security programs around get AVG free or not.

AVG may be a resource hog, but it keeps the Computer clean.

[TheSilentNinja]

More than likely yes, it's illegal. The thing about torrents is that using a torrent program like uTorrent or BitTorrent isn't illegal, it's the downloading of copyright material that is. For example, let's say you want Windows Vista for free. Sure, you can download it and get a product key and everything, but it's illegal to do so because Microsoft has it copyrighted and you didn't pay them for a key and for the use of the product. Now, if you were to download Ubuntu (free Linux based operating system), that is not illegal because Ubuntu is free for downloading and use. Same with movies. If you were to download, say, Twilight or one of the Harry Potter movies, it's illegal. If you downloaded a random video of someone filming their pet, it's probably not illegal.

Also, yes, a torrent can be dangerous even after scanning. Firstly, as others have stated, McAfee is crap. Download AVG, Ad-Aware, or Spybot Search & Destroy. All free and much better than the products you must pay for. Even so, there are viruses, malware, adware, trojans and worms that can go undetected by virus scanning programs. It's unlikely, but it can happen.

Also remember that there are trackers in torrents. Some companies watch their products like a hawk and I've read about people who have downloaded movies illegally off of torrents and have received cease and desist letters from the companies. That's when you know they're watching you and when you could possible get into some serious trouble. Just something to think about.

[Matt]

its illegal and not harmful after a scam. Don't download a torrent though my friend downloaded Mission Impossible and Tom Cruise came round to his house and blew him off.

[S@r@]

well yes it is illegal and can be harmful for your computer torrents have viruses called Trojans that can steal info form your computer like credit card numbers, address, name, and also sometimes even show up your Internet activity, and send them to a third party person. this so call Trojans can even pass over the best Internet security on the market