Safest way to download

I’m new to these forums and I’m just wondering how safe it is to download files posted. When I use the terminology safe, I don’t mean from Virus’s I mean from my ISP or the authorities getting hold of my information and charging me with a fine for downloading movies?
May sound a silly question but would rather ask it and look stupid then get into serious trouble. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks.
Answer #1
What country are you in?
HTTP in theory is more secure than using torrents or P2P clients, as your ISP would need a warrant to see what it is you’re actually downloading. HTTP is the same traffic as normal web browsing, so they’d just see 1GB of it to a single session (if you downloaded a 1GB file).
The problem with the above is ~love~ like NSA that is happening beyond the law.
Sometimes copyright groups will also put fake files up to lure people in. Make sure you download from trusted people, and follow the instructions to block executables you crack from dialling out to the Internet, as they can “dial home” and inform the developers you’re using them without a license.
Personally I’ve been downloading since 2000, using the high end of the connections available in my country, so literally downloading thousands of TBs over the years and never had any warnings. I’m in the UK btw. This is on multiple different ISPs.
You can use things like VPNs to protect yourself, but they’re detrimental to speed and an added cost.
Answer #2
Thanks a lot for your advice. Thats all I needed to know. Was just checking that other people just use there connection, thanks!