I cannot find information anywhere. Sorry, English is my second language.

I possess a DVD and want to upload this as a torrent so others can download it.

I burn the media to my Linux PC using a media ripper. I use Handbrake to convert the media and small the file size.

I can create a torrent. But how do I insure none of my computer’s personal information and identifiers are saved on that file? I dont want me to be found out if someone opens the file and somehow can see I’m the one who created it.

In other hand, how do the pirates create and upload media into torrents while protecting themself from being found out?

Edit: Corrected to Linux PC

  • far_university1990@reddthat.comEnglish
    10·
    2 days ago

    I think you worried about metadata mostly. Can maybe infer gpu/os/software from encode pattern, but probably not problem for you.

    For image metadata usually called exif data, exiftool on linux work well for me. For video, ffmpeg has ffprobe tool to extract metadata using some option. Ffmpeg also have some option to clear metadata (but not all), complicated a bit to set up right.

    If not available for windows, search for alternative. Or graphical wrapper if not like commandline.

    First verify you have good method to see metadata, then try what method remove what.

    If really paranoid, dump windows (has lot of spyware), use tool like gnu strings to see printable string in binary file might be metadata.

    For torrent:

    1. See if already exist by someone (public index search, dht search engine)

    2. Throw out handbrake, always upload original quality. Reencode fine if from raw source material, but no dvd/bluray has raw quality. Or if really want to offer small file, upload both.

    3. Create torrent with dht/pex enable to allow dht search engine and other peer to find.

    4. Use no-log vpn or i2p to seed.

    More info probably in megathread or wiki.

    Edit: 5. over vpn or i2p make account on public index and upload torrent as new post. Or share torrent with friend. Or on other forum.

    • Tumble1155@lemmy.orgOPEnglish
      3·
      2 days ago

      Thank you for your answers. I forgot that the computer I use for this purpose is Linux. I was worried with Windows, so use Linux on a spare laptop for this activity. Worry with metadata and those personal identifiers.

      I use exiftool for images, but it does not work with MKV. I can try Ffmpeg to see if any metadata comes back. But I worry not just for metadata. But also same for any other parameter that is in the file itself. Metadata is outside, might be other identifiers encoded in the file. The two things are my big worries.

      I try hex editor some other person posted, but don’t know how to read it.

      Thank you for your help.

      • far_university1990@reddthat.comEnglish
        1·
        1 day ago

        https://superuser.com/q/441361 for ffmpeg metadata clear.

        This command only print readable string opposed to hex edit. Could use tool like sed or perl to replace, but might corrupt file (for example if metadata part of checksum for some data). Note sed and perl need escape some special character because use regex.

        strings file.mkv
sed 's/badstring//' file.mkv

        hex dump is all raw data from file as hexadecimal number, not much readable. Except for raw string, which strings is better tool for.

        Metadata define as all data that is not file data (in this case video), so you talking about metadata. Again, can infer some metadata from video data, but not enough to identify pc. Metadata like encoder version, timestamp when was recorded, recording device/software. Ffmpeg strip all except encoder.

  • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.netEnglish
    5·
    2 days ago

    Use open source software that doesnt try to spy on you

    There is no reason why these files should contain PII, but on Windows and with proprietary software you never know

    • Tumble1155@lemmy.orgOPEnglish
      3·
      2 days ago

      Sorry, I mean I am on Linux for this specific computer. I try on LInux because I’m worried with Windows, but don’t know.

      • boredsquirrel@slrpnk.netEnglish
        1·
        16 hours ago

        If you use the dolphin file manager, that might create a .directory file in every visited folder. But that is just annoying and contains some metadata, nothing bad

    • Tumble1155@lemmy.orgOPEnglish
      2·
      2 days ago

      I try a Hex viewer program on my Linux. Here is a snapshot with some parameters hidden with black. That is just the title of the file. Ex: “My Movie.mkv”

      Most of this is encoded and I don’t understand what I’m readingg. Is there a way to translate this?

      It is very large hex file. But I scroll through it and I have not seen anything that identifies me. Things like computer name, OS, IP address, date and time. But I am not sure as it is large file.

      Edit: Not sure what went error with my snapshot. It got cut off but you can still see parameters.

      • sopularity_fax@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        1·
        16 hours ago

        I actually know very little about this whole topic. Very mysterious and interesting stuff. Apparently printers do stuff like that too

        Spooky stuff