Although the official KickassTorrents site was shut down by U.S. authorities several years ago, several new alternative sites that closely resemble the original KAT website have emerged online.
The sites highlighted in this article are replicas of the original platform. While they may not be the authentic KickassTorrents, they function in a manner very similar to it.
These replica sites are often referred to as proxy or mirror sites and receive periodic updates. Because these platforms enable users to download copyrighted content, they frequently face shutdowns due to DMCA complaints from software and film companies.
KickassTorrents Proxy and Mirror
- https://kickasstorrents.to/
- https://kickass.sx/
- https://katcr.to/
- https://kickasstorrent.cr/
- https://kickasstorrents.cr/
- https://kat.am/
You might find that certain torrent sites on the list are unavailable due to restrictions imposed by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). To reach these sites, using a VPN is essential. In certain regions, accessing specific torrent websites could be against the law, so employing a VPN is crucial to maintain your privacy from your ISP.
The proxy and mirror websites are overseen by various administrators, which can lead to slight variations in their operation, even though their appearance remains identical.
Should I use KickassTorrents?
Should you want to explore different platforms for downloading torrents, there are numerous alternatives available. Among these is The Pirate Bay, recognized as the top torrent site globally.
That said, adapting to a new torrent site can be challenging. Ultimately, the decision to utilize the new KickassTorrents sites is yours to make.
When will the original KickassTorrents website be back?
It seems unlikely that the original website will return in the near future, as it has been several years since US authorities shut it down.
Given that the domain was seized from its original owner, there’s a possibility that the KAT site could reemerge under a different domain name. It’s possible that it has already done so without our knowledge.
About KickassTorrents
KickassTorrents, commonly referred to as KAT, was a torrent site that facilitated the free downloading of copyrighted software and films. This feature drew in more than a million users daily. However, the sharing of pirated materials ultimately led to its shutdown by the U.S. government.
Although KickassTorrents claimed to adhere to the DMCA by removing reported copyrighted content, the site’s management failed to follow through on these promises, resulting in its closure.
Owner
Established in 2008 by Artem Vaulin, the website swiftly rose to prominence as a leading torrent site. As of October 2017, KickassTorrents ranks as the 69th most visited site globally, holding an Alexa rank of 1,572.
Servers Seized
In July 2016, the US government confiscated the servers of the website and disabled its domain name following a two-year investigation initiated by a criminal complaint against Vaulin filed by the US Department of Justice.
After the shutdown, various mirror sites emerged, and the official forum for KAT was brought back to life. The site is now operated by a group of volunteers and has faced bans in several countries, including Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, and Malaysia.
Despite these restrictions, the site continues to attract millions of daily users. This is largely because many have migrated to alternative torrent sites or begun using VPNs to conceal their IP addresses.
While KickassTorrents isn’t the sole torrent site available, it remains among the most popular due to its early introduction of magnet links and its extensive library of movies and TV series.
Torrent websites like KickassTorrents
Following its closure in 2016, numerous other torrent sites gained traction like The Pirate Bay and ExtraTorrent. However, these platforms face their own set of challenges, as they have also been subject to government crackdowns on several occasions.
Overall, operating torrent websites is becoming increasingly challenging due to the growing number of lawsuits and investigations. This trend is expected to persist, meaning users must exercise greater caution when downloading copyrighted materials.
Nonetheless, torrent sites remain a popular method for file sharing and downloading. They provide a vast array of content and are typically user-friendly. With the right precautions to safeguard your privacy, torrent websites can serve as an excellent resource for accessing content that may not be available in your region.
Are there any similar websites to KickAss?
Although not everyone may appreciate the KickAss sites we’ve listed previously, there are several other file-sharing platforms that are currently among the top choices for downloading torrents.
Best alternatives to KickassTorrents
The options listed below as substitutes for KickassTorrents are quite easy to use. With a large number of users participating in peer-to-peer sharing, downloading torrents is expected to be very quick.
- TorLock
- The Pirate Bay
- iDope
- 1337x
- Yify Torrent / YTS
- ExtraTorrent
- LimeTorrents
- Zooqle
FAQs
1. What is KickassTorrents?
KickassTorrents, commonly known as KAT, is a platform that offers torrent files and magnet links to enable peer-to-peer file sharing via the BitTorrent protocol. Established in 2008, it quickly became one of the most visited torrent sites in existence.
2. What does KickassTorrents aim to achieve?
The primary goal of KAT is to serve as an online repository for torrent files and magnet links, enhancing peer-to-peer file sharing. Additionally, the site features content uploaded by users, which may include copyrighted materials, leading to various legal disputes with copyright owners.
3. How does KickassTorrents function?
The BitTorrent protocol facilitates peer-to-peer file sharing, allowing users to exchange files directly from their computers. When you download a torrent from KAT, you’re obtaining a small file that indicates where the larger file can be found online. This torrent file is compatible with BitTorrent clients like uTorrent, which connect you to other users who have the same torrent file, enabling the download of the desired content.
4. What is a magnet link?
A magnet link is a unique type of hyperlink that allows users to download a torrent directly from KAT. By clicking on a magnet link, your BitTorrent client will automatically launch and begin downloading the specified files without needing to access a separate torrent file.
5. How can I add a torrent to my BitTorrent client?
You can add a torrent to your BitTorrent client in several ways. One method involves right-clicking on the magnet link and selecting “Copy link address” from the menu. After that, open your BitTorrent client and paste the link into the “add torrent” dialog box. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the magnet link directly into your BitTorrent client interface.
6. What is a .torrent file?
A .torrent file is a compact file containing all necessary information to download a larger file through the BitTorrent protocol. When you obtain a torrent file from KAT, you are actually downloading this small file, which you can then open with any BitTorrent client to start acquiring the desired content.
7. Where can I locate .torrent files for movies and TV shows I wish to download?
Typically, you can find .torrent files for movies and TV shows on the KAT homepage. However, not every torrent is available on KAT’s site. In some instances, you may need to search for the torrent on different websites or utilize a torrent search engine.
8. How can I verify if a torrent is safe to download?
There’s no guaranteed method to confirm the safety of a torrent prior to downloading it. Nonetheless, you can consult various online platforms like TorrentFreak to gain insights into which torrents are considered safe and which are not.
9. What should I do if I suspect I’ve downloaded a virus from a torrent?
If you think you’ve acquired a virus via a torrent, it’s important to run an antivirus scan on your computer. Additionally, steer clear of downloading torrents from unreliable sources in the future.
10. What steps can I take to ensure my computer remains secure while downloading torrents?
To maintain your computer’s security during torrent downloads, there are several precautions you can take. First, install an antivirus program and ensure it is regularly updated. Second, only download torrents from reputable sources. Finally, always review the comments section of a torrent before proceeding with the download.
