I would like to prevent to the best of my ability getting malware or virus when torrenting. I know there is never 100% certainty of not getting one, but i'd like to mitigate it. I'd like to ask your advice/expertise.

These are the practices I use. Please build on them if you think there is room for improvement and how.

First off, I use linux (transmission) and only download media (music, movies), no software. I know this already lowers the risks significantly since most malware are on .exe for Windows, however I am aware mp3/mp4 and mkv files can still embed malware to exploit VLC vulnerabilities and also Linux.
I use Proton VPN with kill switch in advanced settings - no internet (at all) allowed when the VPN is not connected.
I limit opening the downloaded media in the PC. After seeding for a few months, I usually transfer them into an external HDD and delete them from the PC. Media may be used in a TV/phone for viewing/listening.
I have downloaded torrent media going into a separate internal SSD which is encrypted (obviously unencrypted when torrenting). This probably doesn't do much, but I get somewhat piece of mind when I am not torrenting and the ssd is locked.
I use normally pirate bay org and get the torrents with the higher number of seeds.

I understood joining some private tracker may help, but I found it difficult to join. Any advice and recommendations are welcome!

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[–] reallyzen@lemmy.ml 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (3 children)

If it's too good to be true, it's malware

If it isn't released yet, it is malware

If it is an .iso file but not a Linux distribution, it is malware

What infuriates me with malware, which idgaf because "arch btw", is that I reseed that shit unknowingly. Sometimes a lot.

Always check file before you let it seed forever as you should.

[–] timestatic@feddit.org 2 points 4 hours ago

You might have significantly reduced risk but don't think you're safe and get complacent just bc you're on Linux

[–] MagnificentSteiner@lemmy.zip 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

If it is an .iso file but not a Linux distribution, it is malware

That's not true. There's loads of legitimate torrents with .iso files.

[–] cassandrafatigue@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 1 day ago

You should know you're looking for .iso's though.

[–] so0t8@lemmy.org 1 points 1 day ago

How could I check the file before I let it seed? They are a few gigabyte files so i guess uploading to virustotal is not really an option. I am on Linux.