Can I use PIA only for/within uTorrent?

p3467907p3467907
in VPN Setup Support
I am mainly interested in protecting myself while torrenting.

When I'm connected with PIA, I can not use Thunderbird to send emails with my ISP email account and Craigslist is painfully slow.  I figured an easy way around both problems would be if there were settings within uTorrent that had it alone use PIA instead of every program using PIA.

Is that possible? 

If so, is there a privacy risk if I download .torrent files without PIA running (or in a browser with direct internet connection because only uTorrent would be set up to use PIA) and then connect to PIA and then click on those .torrent files to load them into uTorrent?
(e.g. is there any metadata in the torrent file when you download it that could identify the downloader who later uses PIA and uT to download the data file?).

I have Win7 Pro, uTorrent 3.5.x, PIA and connecting in Canada with Telus ISP (ADSL).  I've run uTorrent for years now because at the time it was supposed to be simple yet enough features but still lightweight. I'd be open to changing programs if there is one that can accept setting to download through PIA.  I understand the broad strokes of all this but obviously not a tech head especially with networking, etc.

Thank you!

Comments

  • Omnibus_IVOmnibus_IV
    I would recommend you run a firewall that will block any torrenting until PIA (mainly the TAP adapter) is active. This way you can use your PC normally until you need to torrent. Then, activate PIA which will open the TAP adapter and you can then proceed. As long as the firewall sees the regular ethernet or wireless adapter active, the firewall will prevent you from opening a torrent file.

    As for what you are asking to do, I do not believe you can have multiple IP adapters running concurrently. I could be wrong, and if it can be done, I advise against it.
  • p3467907p3467907
    Thank you.

    I always start PIA before starting uTorrent.  I spend a lot of (too much) time on Craigslist so letting uTorrent run all the time is no longer possible.  CL is what started me hunting for an answer.  The email I download without problem and I can access it via webmail which allows me to send, I just prefer TB.  I have migrated more and more to Gmail due to PIA and my ISP not getting along.  For awhile now, when I want to email from TB, and lately when I want to use CL, I shut down uTorrent and disconnect the PIA, do what I need to do, reconnect and start uT again.

    I don't remember having problems with my ISP email when I first started using PIA but have for a long time time now but that is actually the more minor issue.  The real annoyance for me is the slowdown with CL! I enjoying scrolling CL while I watch TV and its just not the same on a tablet.

    Thanks again.
  • Omnibus_IVOmnibus_IV
    The slowdown with Craigslist, is Craigslist. They are causing this issue. Their logic escapes me as to why they are doing this, but they are. Craigslist is run by a bunch of C-rated coders. Apple and MicroSoft us the D-rated coders. ;)
  • WestieWestie
    p3467907 said:
    I am mainly interested in protecting myself while torrenting.


    What you need is something called "split tunneling." PIA doesn't offer it. Some other VPN services do. Hopefully in the future PIA will.
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