Why does TPB now prompt to install a downloader

[kintocloud]

OK, this might be a really stupid question.

I've used TPB a lot over the years, along with a VPN and usually QBit or Vuze, never had any issues downloading torrent files or content.

Previously it used to be that you would download the bit torrent file locally, then load it into a bit torrent client to get the actual content. I am not an expert and never really understood exactly how this all works, but managed to muddle through and get what I needed this way.

Probably about a year ago, this changed. Now when clicking on a link on TPB, instead of simply being able to download and save a torrent locally,  I am now always prompted to "click to download" or similar, and then usually prompted to download a .exe file. In other words instead of being able to just save a harmless .torrent file locally, I'm being prompted to install software of unknown origin.  I have a massive aversion to running .exe files from unknown sources. 

I've scoured TPB to see if there's a way to get the old behavior, but so far I have not been able to circumvent this. I've been avoiding TPB as a result for ages, hoping this behavior would simply go away, but it hasn't.

Can someone tell me if this is normal, why this has changed, and whether it's safe to download this way? I really don't want to install any kind of dedicated downloader unless I absolutely have to.
What happened to the previous method of downloading a bit torrent file locally and using your bit torrent client of choice?

[ill88eagle]

Are you using the official url or a proxy?
TPB is ad infested and best browsed with adblockplus or similar.
There is no need for any extra software besides your torrent client of choice.
Consider changing your clicking habits from left to right (copy magnet link, paste into client).

[kintocloud]

SFAIK I am using the official URL.

An example would be this:

https://thepiratebay.org/search.php?q=Th...=0&orderby=

Click on any of those and I'll get a new browser tab open up with a blue "download area" bar at the top and options to "download" or "proceed" and a bunch of download instructions. Previously clicking such a link would simply allow me to do a Save As and save the torrent file.

I'm afraid I have no idea what you mean by this:

"Consider changing your clicking habits from left to right (copy magnet link, paste into client)."

I've never copy and pasted links into my client, I've always downloaded the torrent file and loaded that after. Maybe there's a simpler way to grab the link that I'm not aware of?


EDIT: Never mind.... just based on your reply I found I can just copy and paste the link, as you described. I had no idea of this functionality. Thanks!

[SectorVector]

TPB stopped hosting torrent files in 2012, which is probably what you refer by "download the bit torrent file locally

All torrents have to be fetched using the magnet link.
Options:
1) Mouse Left Click the magnet icon (link). If your browser is set up correctly it should prompt you to chose a suitable application.
In Firefox : Hamburger icon (3 horizontal dashes top-right) > Settings > Applications

2) Mouse Right click magnet icon (link). Copy it as mentioned in earlier post.
If using Firefox your will find this addon handy. It's what i use / do. Mouse Right click on magnet (using right-hand) and press keyboard 'a' with left-hand ! (FF changed the 'a' shortcut key to copy-link).

3) Instead of the magnet link, one can alternatively copy paste the info hash alone available on any torrent page.
Qbit allows you to have default trackers added to any new torrents.
Tools > Options > Bittorrent > Automatically add these trackers.

PS: As mentioned install NoScript and/or UBO to stay safe on the Web. I use both.

Hope i have confused you enough.


EDIT:
"Consider changing your clicking habits from left to right (copy magnet link, paste into client)."
... means use mouse right click instead of left click

The Blue DOWNLOAD ANONYMOUSLY is an advertisement. Do NOT click that.

You need to click on GET THIS TORRENT. That is the magnet link.

The Info Hash string is just above below the Seeders + Leechers count.
It is a string that looks like this
'Info Hash: '7D3A648139330CDC4F37CD973C6FEE41DBB6743F'