I do not condone illegal activities. Proceed at your own risk.

Just like real life, the internet harbors a whole underworld scene of illegal activities. Specifically, I talk about electronic copyright materials. Not uncommonly, you can download the hottest music albums and software before they hit the store and box office movies before they hit the theaters.

Of course, there is controversy. The younger generation seems to have grown acclimated to this easy availability, almost treating it as a right. The older generation holds to the notions of honoring one’s intellectual rights.

I don’t necessarily partake, but I am fully aware of the options that are available. You should be aware that there are ways to track these kinds of activities, as are there ways to avoid being traced.

BitTorrent

There are legitimate uses for BitTorrent, but it has become notorious as a method to acquire illegal warez. The way this works is that you download (from large directories) small torrent files which can be used to download your file of interest. There a couple of big site directories.

• PirateBay: one of the larger free sites, run out of Sweden. It has an interesting history as a target for prosecution. They at one point were going to purchase an island to be free of any laws.

• Demonoid: Requires membership, but has a higher quality selection.

Best free apps: uTorrent (PC) and  Transmit (Mac)

P2P

This method has been around longer. You install a P2P application, though which you can search various P2P networks for the specific file that you want.

Best apps: LimeWire Lite (PC)  and Acquisition (Mac)

Newsgroups

Used to be the mainstay of the underground warez groups, but has become obsolete with newer technologies.

Warez Forums

Probably the hardest way to acquire the goods, but most effective. There are whole underground forums that require strict membership criteria. The hardest part is finding them and  gaining access.

______________

Again, proceed at your own risk. People have been prosecuted for these activities.

What is your opinion on this whole scene?