Thread: Are Ratio Proofs really safe?

Hi, I'm new here, I was looking around and wondering how safe all these ratio proofs being posted are. I understand the numbers past the decimal points are being edited out, but it seems like it'd be easy enough for these trackers to single out individuals just based on these numbers. It seems like the chances somebody else has the same download / upload amount (rounded to the gb) as you, especially once you go past 10 gbs, are kinda small and at the very least they can narrow it down to 2-3 people.

This might be true but why would people spend time looking up users who online receive invites (which are the users who post those proofs)?

There's nothing wrong with joining and being invited to other trackers.

1. The TI model of a ratio proof is more than safe...
2. You think that you will be scammed or something like that HERE?
3. You will get an invitation without giving anything to the inviter...

Originally Posted by delusion

This might be true but why would people spend time looking up users who online receive invites (which are the users who post those proofs)?

There's nothing wrong with joining and being invited to other trackers.

Based on this quote:

It has come to our attention that certain trackers (what.cd, x264, GFT and Tophos) are utilizing an internet browser exploit to identify and ban T-I members. The vulnerability is caused by some browsers' implementation of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). This allows trackers to query your computer and identify which sites you have visited, including Torrent-Invites.com.

and the fact that you aren't suppose to use the same username as you do on the trackers, it does seem like they might be taking their time to ban people here. Why else would there be safeguards to the ratioproofs and blocking out certain digits?

Originally Posted by piticoci

1. The TI model of a ratio proof is more than safe...

I'm not sure how this answer my concerns.

Originally Posted by piticoci

2. You think that you will be scammed or something like that HERE?
3. You will get an invitation without giving anything to the inviter...

It seems you've taken offense to my post, none of which was intended. I understand that the invites are given away for free. I haven't gotten any here yet, but I am willing to give back as well, I have many invites that have just been unused for months. I'm not accusing anyone associated here of "scamming" anyone (and I'm not sure how you got that from reading my post) but if they're willing exploit CSS to ban users that are also members of TI, what is to stop them from signing up here, comparing proof ratios to their users and banning them?

Edit: Maybe for the trackers to do so is too time consuming and I am giving them too much credit for how far they will go. That would be a good enough answer for me. I'm just curious since there are so many safeguards in place just to sign up here, yet the Ratio Proofs don't seem all that secure to me.

I think its quite safe to post your ratio proofs so long as you follow the instructions on TI. You can find how to correctly edit your ratio proofs here: http://www.torrent-invites.com/give-...way-guide.html

I understand the numbers past the decimal points are being edited out

Actually, the way to correctly do it is to only show the first digits of your upload and download.

This is taken directly from the invite giveaway guide

Partially cover your ratio, download, and upload so that only the first digits and the units (e.g. GB or TB) remain visible.

This, I believe, addresses your concern that the tracker will narrow it down to you based on your upload-download ratio. Also, it is important to note that you should be covering your bonus points and number of invites as well for the same reason.

..i believe cosa nostra had some watermarks to identify the ones that tried to post reviews for them? it's not a matter of screenshots in general. anyway, if someone related to tracker staff will want _hard_ to reveal an identity of a particular person that has giveaway/requests activity, it is quite possible by participating in those ga/req's, that are even not directly related to a person. so it's always wise to use staff recruitement whenever possible and think twice before receiving/giving invites to those "picky" kind of sites from/to complete unknowns. better safe than sorry

I have never had a problem, or heard of anyone else having a problem, as a result of posting ratio proofs, but if you are really concerned about it then, no-one is forcing you to post anything you are not comfortable with.

The person running the GA has a right to ask what ever he wants, (except payment of course), to ascertain that you will be a good member to the tracker, but if you are not comfortable with posting what the inviter is asking, then don't apply to their GA.

Some people will be happy for you to PM the proofs, others won't.

I wouldn't lose much sleep over this. After all, I've been to public trackers for so long before discovering the world of private trackers that the risk of getting banned on a tracker for being part of T-I is pretty much nothing for me in comparison to the risks involved in general with this favorite "activity" of ours. :D

I would say that in general, tracker staff are busier with other things. For example, people selling invites is much higher concern to them then people giving them out for free. I think you have to watch out for some of the pickier trackers, but here you can always ask to PM your proofs. You can also get banned even if you are invited in private tracker PU forum as well, if your inviter does something bad or turns out to be a trader/seller. Getting invites from strangers essentially always has some risk, normally the risk level is higher with giving them out (there is almost no risk in receiving them, IMHO).

I think the system works, as you can see by searching the forum there aren't many reports of issues.