I like to download a rare book now and then, but if practical I’d like to be safer about it.
Generally downloading files is pretty much safe and untraceable. At least in the countries I know of, so this might depend on where you life. What is a problem is uploading or sharing with a torrent client. Then you need a VPN.
Firefox VPN is just Mullvad but you pay Mozilla on top of it. I recommend using something like iVPN/AirVPN (though I’ve had slowness issues with AirVPN while browsing the general web, although weirdly enough didn’t have any such issues while torrenting).
Just disable Secure DNS so that you’re using your VPN’s DNS and you’ll be fine.
probably better to use it on a burner device(cheap device) if you that paranoid, and on a public wifi like library or cafes.
I have been raw dogging epubs from Zlibrary, Annas, and libgen for years on public WiFi, student housing, work internet, my internet the most, but you name it.
Should I not do that? Though I’m not distributing which is usually what they give a shot about
You should do whatever it takes to feel safe. But FYI, no private individual has ever been sued for downloading books.
I’m not understanding the risk, are you downloading at work or on a school network? is the book content illegal where you live? worried about malware maybe?
safe from whom/what is what i’m asking
I’m worried about the law’s attention for illegal procurement of otherwise legal works. I’m depriving rent collectors (oh no) and want to stay off their radar.
I’ve only ever used IRC to find ebooks and never worried about a VPN. Check #ebooks on IRChighway or Undernet.
Or xdcc search
Wow, that’s oldschool. I haven’t even thought about IRC for at least 15 years. How actively is this still being used in general?
I’ve never used a vpn for libgen but I understand the need to feel safe and that depends on your threat model. What are the realistic consequences of not using a vpn with libgen for you and does using a vpn mitigate them?
I guess my threat model is my ISP snitching on me. Realistic consequences? Probably none, this is more of about trying to keep it that way and having peace of mind I guess.
In that case, any vpn should suffice.
only ever gotten a notice for bittorrent. just use cloudflare warp 1.1.1.1 (free) for torrents. for ebooks, never even cared
Im using Tor for that.
raw tor could cause more harm because its easily detectable by isp. i recommend using tor over vpn if living in a hostile state
using tor is not illegal and what you do with tor is not readable to your isp.
using tor to make your libgen visit unreadable to your isp would work
Where you live
Does it matter ? Unless you live in a country with censorship on Tor, you can use bridges for that. It is a private Tor relay that is harder to block, because the IP is not publicly disclosed.
It does 100% matter, which I why I posted that. There are entirely different network topologies for countries where it will matter and I assure you, there, it does matter.
And my comment was more so about the “not illegal” bit
If you want to be extra secure you could use a VPN before Tor. But using a VPN would make you suspicious as well. They could force the VPN provider to track your future connections over their VPN. I assume it’s not that easy to trace your connections if your using tor.
Best is to install Tails on a USB Stick, boot it on a public computer over public WiFi while being completely covered with no mobile devices on yourself. But let’s be serious. The given thread model involved in downloading a book, the risk of drawing the attention of the authorities is probably very low. :)
I use a VPN and a private DNS . i feel like thats plenty and I dont have any DNS leaks from my tests. I wouldn’t really trust mozzilla VPN a whole bunch but its probably fine. A real VPN provider is cheap, I’d get one. Ivpn or icevpn are good.
MAM+VPN is a good way
