uTorrent: Blocking IP Addresses

uTorrent

UPDATE - 11/4/08: Unfortuantely, the site that hosts the file does not allow direct downloads.  You must go to the site to get the download, so my program is pretty much worthless.  I recommend using PeerBlock — which is a spin-off of PeerGuardian but it actually works in Vista/7 (both 32 and 64 bit).

If you know of a link to a direct download, please let me know and I’ll update the application to download it.

UPDATE - 12/3/08: It appears that the URL has been changed.  I was in the middle of updating the program but the URL that it changed too is down as well.  Bluetack is having an issue finding a host for the ipfilter.dat file.  As soon as the download is backup, I’ll release 0.2 with a few additional features.  Thanks.

I recently wrote a little program that you can use to download an ipfilter.dat to block IP addresses when using uTorrent. It really isn’t anything fancy, just saves you the time of downloading it, extracting it, renaming it, and then copying it to the correct location.

The list is downloaded from B.I.S.S. (Bluetack) which is updated every week or so.

Prerequisites:

  • uTorrent already installed
  • Latest version of .NET installed
  • Windows XP or Windows Vista (I’ve tested it on a 32bit Vista machine, and a 32bit XP machine)

Usage:

  • Download ipfilter.dat Updater
  • Extract both of the files included in the .zip to any location on your computer
  • Run ipfilter_updater.exe and click Update
  • Now you need to force uTorrent to use the updated list
    • Quickest way is to close uTorrent, and open it back up.
    • If you are currently downloading some files, you can force a reload in the preferences.
      • Open the Preferences dialog (CTRL-P)
      • Click on Advanced
      • Find ipfiler.enable (should already be set to True)
      • Change it to False, then back to True.
  • To verify the list has loaded
    • Click on the Logger tab in uTorrent
    • You should see: [xx:xx:xx] Loaded ipfiler.dat (# entries)
  • NOTE: You only need to update once a week. The list isn’t updated everyday.

You will see all blocked IP requests on that Logger tab.

Manual Install:

  • Download nipfilter.dat.gz
  • Go to Start->Run and type %APPDATA%\uTorrent\
  • Extract the contents of nipfilter.dat.gz into the folder.
  • Read above on how to force uTorrent to load the new filter.

For added security, check out PeerGuardian 2.

If you experience any issues with my program, feel free to post a comment.

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22 Responses to “uTorrent: Blocking IP Addresses”


  1. 1 Mark

    Your program works GREAT! Only Prob is it slows my Downloads way down! Any answers? SeeYa, Mark.

  2. 2 NME

    It does seem a bit slower, plus it seems to be blocking my router as an ip address?? Not too sure what this is doing tho…..

  3. 3 Stacey

    Thanks for the tips. I think it works fine, it has not slowed down my speed. My torrents actually seem to be running better. Go figure! :wink:

  4. 4 hosmu

    how i want to add an ip to block it?
    must i edit ipfilter.dat and save it?

  5. 5 NME

    Yeah,

    Just edit the .dat file directly using notepad or some other text editor - I had to go in and edit mine to stop it blocking my router’s ip address - very easy to do. Just remember every time you update ityou have to re-edit the .dat file as it will overwrite your file with the latest if you know what I mean. Speeds are still good, great program!!

    Cheers

  6. 6 tms

    This makes updating so much easier. Thanks for sharing your program.

  7. 7 Bull3t

    This application is perfect! Just to let you know; the newest versions are now hosted at http://blocklistpro.com/download-center/ip-filters/! Hopefully you can get this updated soon. Thanks again.

  8. 8 voltron

    how do i make utorrent stop using this file?

  9. 9 NME

    2 ways:

    1. Go to the advanced settings of utorront, scroll down until you see ipfilter enable “true” and set it to “false” and apply
    2. Go to your documents area and under application data - utorrent and delete the file called ipfilter.dat. While you are there you should also clean up all your finished torrents by deleting the files you are finished with

    Not sure why you would want to though - you should update it manually though at the bluetack website to make it current

    Anyone know when the new version of the updater will be ready though? I know the file is located at: http://blocklistpro.com/download-center/view-details/p2p-ip-filters/1541-nipfilter.dat.gz.html

    Cheers

  10. 10 Charles

    Ou-yo-yu you have a nice little blog…it’s now in my bookmarks ;0

  11. 11 Brent

    It would be great if that updater worked. If another has the code I’ll glady make the changes.

  12. 12 ddq

    :mrgreen: :neutral: :twisted: :arrow: :shock: :smile: :???: :cool: :evil: :grin: :idea: :oops: :oops: :razz: :roll: :wink: :eek: :mad: :sad: :!: :?: :evil: :evil:

  13. 13 Feign

    Does utorrent cause a bunch of spam? I tried it once, but it almost broke my computer.

  14. 14 Lukin

    I tried to open the updater but nothing happened so i was not able to update it am I doing something wrong?

  15. 15 NME

    I would revert to using Peerblock if I were you - this is much more comprehensive and well supported too and easy to use - although an external application it seems much better - hope it helps :)

  16. 16 Thode00

    Hi,
    I downloaded the ipfiler.dat file into my utorrnent folder. Since, my computer has been running very sluggish. My browser and webpages loads extremely slow.

    Can you help?
    I’m running vista home premium with utorrent client.

    Thanks,
    thode00

  17. 17 jeremy
  18. 18 CannonJennifer32

    When you’re in not good state and have no cash to go out from that, you would have to receive the personal loans. Just because that should aid you definitely. I take collateral loan every single year and feel great just because of that.

  19. 19 David Peers

    This blog helped me in solving some issues with the latest release candidate, Why do they always seem to leave out vital information when they release a new version? It may be minor to them but not for us! I’m sure we’re not alone either.

  20. 20 Scream 4 The Movie

    Your blog has helped, thanks a lot. I’ve found it once or twice now and will quite possibly bookmark it. You actually may would like to update wordpress as there exists a new release obtainable at this moment!

  1. 1 IP Blocking for uTorrent in Windows XP & Vista | THE source for P2P File Sharing Tips, Tricks and information. | FileShareFreak
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