HTTPS is now the default way to access the torrent site

Sep 1, 2014 07:07 GMT  ·  By

KickassTorrents has taken an important step to protect its visitors by enabling encryption for everyone. The site is now forcing SSL encryption for all visitors, which makes it impossible for Internet providers or copyright groups to monitor the site’s page visit or the data being sent.

TorrentFreak notes that the feature comes after many requested it. “We’re just thinking about those people who will feel safer when they know all the data transferred between them and KAT is completely encrypted. People requested it, so we responded,” said the site’s team.

SSL encryption has become widely popular, especially in light of the NSA scandal. While plans for rolling out SSL to Google’s products, for instance, were already in place, they were sped up by the reports regarding NSA’s tendency to snoop on innocent people.

More and more sites have been following the example, and more are sure to follow because Google announced that SSL-protected sites would get a boost in search results. This isn’t a mandatory move, but the company seems to want to protect online visitors as much as possible, which seems to be a pretty good idea.

Other torrent sites, such as The Pirate Bay and Torrents also offer SSL support, but KickAss is the first one to actually enforce the measure and make it the default option.

SSL encryption should help prevent everyone from monitoring what pages are visited, what data is sent and received from the protected site. The fact that the domain was accessed is not a secret, however, and neither is how much time has been spent on the site. Basically, those keeping an eye on the network will notice an interest in the site, but not what people are downloading.

If visitors of such sites want to remain anonymous, they’ll also have to take some measures to hide their IP addresses by using a VPN, for instance.

The fact that sites are adopting SSL encryption at a larger scale is a good step towards protecting users from prying eyes, be them from the NSA, other spy agencies, company execs, ISPs or anyone else.

Users get a little more protection and sites can boast that they’re looking out for their visitors, which is a win-win situation. Kickass Torrent fans have so far received the news with joy, thanking the admins for the new feature.