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# Using BitTorrent more securely

Use the BitTorrent protocol more securely by following these steps.

We only provide instructions for the qBittorrent client. Others like µTorrent, Vuze, and BitComet are not open source, contain adware or junkware, or aren't equipped with good privacy settings.

## qBittorrent users in Windows

To make things easier in Windows, you can rename the TAP interface.

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
3. Click on Change adapter settings.
4. On the adapter that contains "TAP-Windows Adapter V9" in its name, right click on it, select Rename, and enter Mullvad.
5. Now open qBittorrent.
6. Click on Tools.
7. Click on Options.
8. Click on Advanced.
9. Change Network Interface to Mullvad.
10. Click on OK and restart qBittorrent.

Follow the steps below as well.

## qBittorrent users in Linux, macOS, and Windows

1. Click on Tools.
2. Click on Options.
3. Click on BitTorrent.
4. Check Enable anonymous mode.
5. Uncheck (disable) Enable DHT.
6. Uncheck (disable) Enable PeX.
7. Uncheck (disable) Enable Local peer discovery.
8. Click on Connection.
9. For Enabled Protocol, use the drop-down menu to select TCP.
10. Find Proxy Server and change the type to SOCKS5.
11. Change the host to 10.8.0.1.
12. Change the port to 1080.
13. Check Use proxy for peer connections.
14. Check Disable connections not supported by proxies.
15. Uncheck (disable) Use PNP / NAT - PMP.

## FAQ

Q: When I have enabled the SOCKS5 proxy, why is the torrent shown as offline?
A: The SOCKS5 protocol does not support port forwarding, so if you use trackerless torrents, you might need to have DHT enabled. Otherwise, you might need to disable the SOCKS5 proxy.