I2PSnark

One of the features of I2p is that it's designed with P2P file sharing in mind. Using a built-in service called I2PSnark, you can host and seed torrents quickly and easily!

The main problem with normal P2P trackers is that they're public. This means that ISPs and media companies can join the torrent swarm and obtain all of the IP addresses of the connected hosts. You'll know this happens when your service provider mails you a nice, shiny DMCA notice. Collect enough of these and the penalty can range from your provider banning you, to the company who owns the rights to whatever you pirated suing you.

Anonymous File Sharing

We can use the I2p network to share files without the entire world knowing who is sharing them. Again, we have another easy step that keeps you safe on the Internet.

Step 1 Make Sure the Service Is Running

Open up a terminal and type:

$ i2prouter status

File:I2p i2psnark1.jpg

i2p router status

If it's not already started, you can start it back up with:

$ i2prouter start

Once we have it up and running, we simply point our web browser to:

https://localhost:7657/i2psnark/

File:I2p i2psnark2.jpg

The main I2PSnark screen.

You should now see the main I2PSnark screen. Notice how it's already running and ready by starting the I2p router. Your web browser is connecting to localhost, where the I2p service is bound via port 7657.

Step 2 Create Torrent

You have two options with this. You can take a .torrent file you already have along with its data and move it into:

~/.i2p/i2psnark

Or simply move data you wish to seed to the same directory.

File:I2p i2psnark2b.jpg

Move file to directory

Here we have a coupon code for cash off a PS3. I want to share this with my mates. So we go back to the I2Psnark page and fill in the path with our file.

File:I2p i2psnark3.jpg

Fill in the path with your file

Under Tracker, you may pick the one you wish to use, or add a new one altogether, depending on who and what you are sharing.

Click on Create Torrent.

File:I2p i2psnark4.jpg

File in queue

I2PSnark creates the new .torrent file and places it in your queue. All you need to do is click the start button in the upper right-hand corner.

File:I2p i2psnark5.jpg

Seeding

And you are seeding!

In Closing

I2PSnark is not the only way to do this, and it is not the fastest either. However, it is easy, built in, and more than capable of tossing files up quickly.