Information, tips and instructions

File Extension TORRENT

TORRENT is used for files containing the actual link used in BitTorrent application. BitTorrent is a P2P application used in sharing information across the Internet. Torrent files are compatible on cross-platform environment. Applications are designed to work with PC, Mac, and Linux.

Torrent files contain URL linking to the real file containing the downloadable package. It contains the metadata of the file to be downloaded and information about the tracker. A tracker is the provider of the file.

Downloading a torrent file will only take few seconds, but when launched on compatible BitTorrent client applications, torrent files will actually initiate a communication with the provider of the file to initiate a download.

Since the popularity of P2P applications, copyright issues have mushroomed. Most users create torrent files directing to files available for download whose copyrights are often breached. Torrent files are among the top contributor to the propagation of computer viruses and worms. Some files pointed by these torrent files may contain maliciously coded files that can damage a host's computer when downloaded.

Torrent file extensions are available for applications such as BitTorrent, BitRocket, Transmission, and BitTyrant for Mac OS. It can also be opened on applications designed for Windows including ÷Torrent, BitComet, and GetRight. For Linux, KTorrent, MLdonkey, and Mozilla Firefox with the FoxTorrent extension can be used to open torrent files.

Similar file extensions

• File Extension MP3 - MPEG-4 video file
• File Extension MP3 - MPEG audio file
• File Extension M4A - MPEG-4 audio stream
• File Extension MOV - QuickTime Video