CyberGhost VPN led to a Verizon Copyright Warning?

VPN
1

Funny because a few days ago I had a dream that I was busted by the FBI. And today, I just got a warning from Verizon for torrenting a 2021 movie - should’ve known.

Before torrenting I made sure my VPN (CyberGhost) was on. My question is how did my provider know I torrented this while using my VPN? I noticed the location of my VPN was set to my current location - could this be it? I also noticed I was seeding the file for maybe 15-20 minutes.

I guess I didn’t realize how little I know about protecting internet activity, but it would be greatly appreciated if someone could tell me what I’m doing wrong, or if I need to invest in a different VPN.

TLDR; verizon caught me, and I need some to explain to me like I’m five how to torrent safely.

2

Even though CyberGhost is not a good VPN for torrenting (or anything else), the most likely explanation is that you had a leak. Ignore the warning, refund if you still can and then grab yourself a better VPN as well as following the steps in the same thread to bind the network interface to the torrent client. This will significantly reduce the odds of having another leak.

As for how it happened it’s anyone’s guess. Maybe client freeze/crash, maybe connection drop without killswitch (or shit one), maybe buggy split tunnel, who knows.

3

Many people make one of these mistakes.

*1 Never have the torrent program start with Windows.

*2 Always have the VPN on before the torrent program

*3 Check ipleak.net to be sure your IP has changed.

*4 Always turn the torrent program off before the VPN.
Check the task manager to be sure it’s completely off.

4

I’m not familiar with Cyberghosts VPN killswitch but, it sounds like it didn’t do it’s job. Most here will recommend Mullvad, as will I. However, there is another step you can take.

You need to use qbittorrent and bind your VPN to qbittorrent. Here is how to do so on windows. https://scunster.co.uk/?p=1413

This will essentially give you 2 killswitches.

5

I got the same thing… was it Dune?

6

Same thing… just happened to me.
Just got a Copyright violatolion from Verizon while I was downloading something with QBitorrent and using PureVpn. I was connected to a vpn in my state and I checked that I was being shown from a different location and not my IP from Verizon. I don’t get it but how could they find out I was torrenting while using my VPN? Only thing was that I used Open VPN settings as opposed to the PureVpn app that i downloaded for windows. For some reason, I can’t download with qbitorrent using the PureVpn app but using openvpn service works fine. Anyone have the slightest idea about my issue and how I can fix this to avoid getting these warnings?
I wrote this earlier and copy/pasted it here but I see some of the ideas some of you had. I’m going to get into it and hope I can fix it.

Thanks

Update: It seems even though my vpn was on, I was still using Verizon’s dns servers.
Odd.

7

I have Cyberghost and have never had an issue. I use their French Servers for everything and download speeds are not effected.

8

I’ve been torrenting without a VPN for years and only got my first letter today. I forgot that one of my torrents was seeding for about 10 minutes before I stopped it manually, I think this is what gives you away. I’ve always been on top of stopping it from seeding almost immediately, and never had a problem.

9

thank you so much! really appreciate the help, purchasing a better vpn asap.

10

Yeah you are right. But if you binded your client to the interface, even if you do every single point you mentioned, your IP shouldn’t get leaked.

11

One of the best feature of Tixati is Auto Delay Start, My VPN starts when windows starts and within 5 min Taxati auto starts, plus i have kill switch.

12

incredible, thank you for the help!

13

u/Sad_Flatworm_5733: You two need to do network binding in the client settings. For qBittorrent also disable UPnP and local stuff. See the pinned posts on my profile for guides.

14

I’ve always been on top of stopping it from seeding almost immediately, and never had a problem.

Never had a problem huh. Obviously a poor advice.

15

No problem. Keep in my mind if that if your torrents stall then you should repeat the step in the link above. Just a tip.

16

Do you have a custom client that does not respond to block request from leechers? To be sure that you’re aware that each incomplete peer with >0% completed pieces will start seeding them despite being <100% (aka you)

17

I’ve set my torrents to stop seeding automatically as of yesterday. Thanks for the help!