Downloading files listed on BitTorrent sites is always a risky proposition because it requires trust in the original poster, who may or may not have the best intentions in mind. But, the opportunity for free goods entices people to do it anyway, and TrafficLoader.com is taking advantage of those thrifty shoppers.

Essentially TrafficLoader.com is acting as a magnet for spammers and virus creators looking to give their products a wider audience. That means more users who stumble across the site and are less familiar with the wild web will unwittingly download infected files spread them to other users doing the same thing. If they use P2P clients like Limewire or Frostwire the files will spread even more quickly.

Traditionally BitTorrent sites have provided a slight edge over P2P networks because sites that host the files usually provide space for users who have downloaded the torrent to make comments. BitTorrent sites also will usually filter their listings when lots of users complain about a bad file.

Initially the site started with very few files that were obviously bogus links, according to TorrentFreak, but after mixing some genuine files into their midst, traffic numbers began to improve.

Interestingly TrafficLoader.com created a space for users to communicate with each other: site forums. That prompted one user to post this question:

“Why would you [TrafficLoader.com, admin] put a forum for ppi on a publicly scraped site, a.k.a here?? Do you just want ppl to find out shit is full of malware?”

Sites like this just underscore the importance to think carefully before downloading anything from a BitTorrent site or P2P network. It also may be worthwhile to install PeerGuardian, which blocks known spammer and honeypot IP addresses.

Obviously the site owner has some support based on comments like this from some others on the forums:

Just a suggestion, if you are trying to build a REP for your website, and get as much people to stick to your site, make it cleaner, remove porn ads etc…
You need to be patient about the money making process… it will take time but it will come eventually

btw, if you wish I can link to your website from few websites with PR2 and PR3… I think it will be helpful for you to go higher on serach engines and get a better PR in google

Related:

Entry was posted on Saturday, August 9th, 2008 at 5:11 pm under Internet, Piracy, Scams, Tips and advice.

Read more entries by Matt Jansen.
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