Ensure torrent client uses openvpn

Question

I recently signed up to a VPN provider and to log in, I use network manager for my normal wireless connection and then start the openvpn connection from network manager. In my browser I can check that I'm using the tunnel by going to an ip location finder site but how do I ensure that my torrent client actually uses this connection? For example, couldn't it happen that my VPN provider logs me out after some time (intentionally or not) and then my torrent client starts using the still available normal wifi connection?

Answer 1

How do I ensure that my torrent client actually uses this connection?

There is a site, CheckMyTorrentIP, that does exactly that. Basically, you download a torrent file generated specifically for you and once you open it in your client it will report the IP address being used. The IP should be displayed directly in your client but you can also revisit the site which will also display it. There is a FAQ on the site where you can get more info.

Couldn't it happen that my VPN provider logs me out after some time (intentionally or not) and then my torrent client starts using the still available normal wifi connection?

Absolutely. The FAQ on CheckMyTorrentIP as well as this article from TorrentFreak explain some options for preventing this, which include using specific firewall rules, changing TCP/IP routes, or using specific apps.

If you happen to use rtorrent you can bind it to a specific IP address (the one given to you by your VPN) and if you lose connection to that interface rtorrent will stop downloading/seeding (TBH, I'm not 100% that statement is true, but it is at least something interesting to look into). If your VPN IP is 0.0.0.0, then just add this to your .rtorrent.rc:

bind = 0.0.0.0