Are downloads from file hosts secure?
Downloads of copyrighted files are illegal, but the question remains whether the downloads via filehoster are secure. We clarify it.
Are downloads from file hosts secure?
- Downloading: It is usually safe to download from a file hoster. IP addresses are only temporarily stored for a few hours so that free users can be set a limit. These IP addresses are then automatically deleted.
- Upload: When uploading files to the servers of file hosts, the whole thing looks different again. Since you usually need a user account with the file hoster, your data will be saved. In the event of a court order, your data can reach the authorities. However, such cases are very rare, since the servers are usually not located in Germany. With the kino.to website, however, the uploaders have found out even after a long time.
- Legal situation: Filehosters like uploaded.to do not give out the IP addresses of downloaders and are not legally obliged to do so. Since the addresses are only saved for a few hours, there are no ways to get the IP addresses of downloaders. However, uploaders should be careful.
Tips for using file hosts
- Reputable file hosters: Use reputable file hosts such as uploaded.net or share-online.biz to download. These have asserted themselves for years, cases of warnings for downloads are not known there.
- Download yes, upload no: According to the current legal situation, you are on the safe side when downloading via Filehoster. Uploaders live a bit more dangerous, however, there are currently no real cases to report.
- Filehoster or BitTorrent: Filehosters are definitely more secure than open download networks like BitTorrent. It is a breeze for the authorities to get your IP address. This does not happen via Filehoster.
Free initial consultation (advertisement)
If you have any legal questions, call 0221/40 06 75 54 44 from the legal experts at Wilde Bauger Solmecke. (Call at the fixed network price, mobile may differ.)
- In our form you can request a free consultation without obligation.
In the next practical tip, we'll tell you what you can do about a file sharing warning.