DHT, distributed "tracker" (hash table),
1) allows non-emp users to download emp torrents, allowing them to do whatever the hell they want and not be held accountable for it.
2) The client forces it on you and keeps DHT "seeded" even when the tracker is up.
3) It will share your passkey, enabling other people to download torrents masquerading as you.
What to do?
Disable DHT
Disabling DHT in Azureus
>Tools >Options >Connection >under "Peer Sources - Select the default permitted sources for peer connections" only check "From a tracker"
>Tools >Options >Plugins >Distributed DB >uncheck "Enable the distributed database"
>Tools >Options >Plugins >Distributed Tracker >uncheck "Only track normal torrents when their tracker is unavailable"
>Tools >Options >Sharing >check "Private torrent - only accept torrents from the tracker (This should automatically grey out and disable "Allow decentralized tracker when tracker is unavailable"
>Save >restart Azureus
You should see a red dot and "Disabled" on the bottom of the main Azureus window.
Disabling DHT in µTorrent
1)>Options >Preferences >Bittorent >uncheck both dht options at the bottom plus untick peer exchange >Apply >OK
As of µTorrent 1.2.1 you have another option, use that if you'd like to use DHT for public torrents:
Enable DHT manually for public torrents if you please.
2) >Preferences >Advanced >uncheck "Add DHT Network as backup tracker"
3) >OK >restart BitComet (to be sure the changes are saved)
This will disable DHT globally. If you start a new torrent and look at its Task Properties, it's possible BitComet leaves the boxes "Enable Public DHT network" and "Enable Peer Exchange" checked. This doesn't mean DHT is enabled for that torrent. If you'll look at the Tracker tab, you'll see "DHT network is disabled in user settings, please enable it.". i.e. leaving those boxes checked under those circumstances is a bug/inconsistency, but DHT is still disabled.
