Quote - Torrent downloading is not fast track either because it takes hours and days to download. Torrents are better for larger files like whole CDs.  Torrents are not peer to peer meaning you don't connect to anyone's computer.  Files are uploaded to a central server in bits from everyone uploading that file.  The server scans the files.  When you download the file you are downloading it from a central server and not from any one particular person. And because it's been scanned, the chances of it having a virus are slim.

 

uh......no

torrents do not send the files through the server, basicly it's in this order of events

1. someone creates a torrent, using most any client software that has the create ability
2. another someone goes to the site he created the torrent on, there are many floating around, and major difference between these sites, and say kazaa, is the fact that watching torrents becomes their responsibility, as they usually choose just a few types of things to share (music, tv episodes, etc) and to keep a good reputation, will usually ensure the files stay clean, by deleting bad torrents
3. said person downloads a torrent file, basicly containing a hash key (used for identity of yourself, and for checking downloaded data), and information for the client on what "tracker" to talk to
4. the client software talks to the tracker server, which gives information (an ip address) on who has the files, or parts of the files, that are currently also connected
5. client software connects to these addresses asking stats of files they contain (ie what % they have) and ask to download from them, if their client agrees (depending settings, if it has upload slots open) it will start sharing
6. downloaded data is checked, to ensure its the expected data (can't make a torrent and later replace 1 file with another of same size/name thats a virus or check fails)
7. once done, you have your files, and continue to seed to others who are trying to get it

torrents download data off both seeders (fully completed people) and leechers (still downloading), data you obtain is passed on to more people. the data sent is directly from their computers, not the server, as the bandwidth for that would be huge, the only further data is your computer reporting to tracker that you sent/received this/that amount of data, if the site required you to register and keep a decent share ratio (give as much as you take) to keep things balanced

sites also do not handle the data directly due to liability reasons, they simple keep the maps of who has what for people who are connected to it, so they dont accually touch illegal files if someone decides to wander off to the dark side

so now you ask, is it possible to see who has the files? assuming you are smart enough to use one of the "advanced user" clients, that will show ip addresses connected to you, then yes, you can see, and yes it can be tracked. some people use a proxy (lets just call it "call forwarding" for the net k?) which would show the proxy ip instead of your own, but slows the connection, understandably

torrents are much safer than programs like kazaa and emule, and never once have i got a bad file (yes i use virus scanners, just smart enough to see if things look suspicious, easy enough to avoid) and many torrent clients are free of malware and spyware, just depends which ones you go for