ExtraTorrent users warned against 'fake' versions of dead torrent site

The site apparently returned just days after its 'permanent' closure

Aatif Sulleyman
Monday 29 May 2017 07:56 EDT
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The original ExtraTorrent site has warned users to avoid fakes and clones
The original ExtraTorrent site has warned users to avoid fakes and clones (Shutterstock)

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Web users should be wary of new ExtraTorrent clones, following the site’s “permanent” shutdown earlier this month.

The popular torrent site announced its closure on 17 May but, just days later, appeared to have returned as ExtraTorrent.cd.

The group behind the new ExtraTorrent site claim to have links with the original site, and say they’ve resurrected the site “with all previous data”.

“We have successfully resurrected [ExtraTorrent] back to it's [sic] glory at extratorrent.cd with all available data,” they told the Inquirer.

“It's live and new data is continuously being updated. Some small features are not yet working & we are getting it fixed as we speak.”

However, the site’s apparent return is at odds with the message posted on the original ExtraTorrent website, confirming its shutdown.

“ExtraTorrent has shut down permanently,” reads the announcement. “ExtraTorrent with all mirrors goes offline.. We permanently erase all data.

“Stay away from fake ExtraTorrent websites and clones. Thx to all ET supporters and torrent community. ET was a place to be….”

According to the people behind ExtraTorrent.cd, the operator of the original ExtraTorrent is against the idea of bringing the site back, but “These sites are our home and we won't let anyone destroy them”.

TorrentFreak, however, has branded them as “opportunist copycats”, and says ExtraTorrent.cd is “nothing more than a Pirate Bay mirror with an ExtraTorrent skin”.

To add to the confusion, a number of reports claim the site works, and it doesn’t appear to be malicious.

ExtraTorrent’s shutdown follows the closure of popular torrent sites KickassTorrents and Torrentz.eu.

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