---
title: "Does protocol encryption hide what I download?"
url: "https://forum.qnap.net.pl/threads/does-protocol-encryption-hide-what-i-download.46293/"
thread_id: 46293
date: "2026-11-11"
category: "FAQ"
section: "Knowledge base"
source: "Forum QNAP Polska"
site: "https://forum.qnap.net.pl"
language: "pl"
ai_policy: "https://forum.qnap.net.pl/ai-policy.md"
license: "https://forum.qnap.net.pl/ai-policy.md"
---

# Does protocol encryption hide what I download?

> Source: <https://forum.qnap.net.pl/threads/does-protocol-encryption-hide-what-i-download.46293/> · FAQ · Forum QNAP Polska · 2026-11-11

**Symptoms**

- You want to keep your torrent traffic private and look at the encryption setting.
- You wonder whether encryption hides your address or what you download.

**Cause**
Protocol encryption covers the connections between rtorrent and its peers: the handshake and the data stream. Requests to trackers are outside this setting. By default, rtorrent prefers encrypted connections and falls back to plain ones. Encryption does not hide your IP address or guarantee anonymity. Requiring encryption cuts the number of peers.

**Resolution**

1. Open **Settings → Connection** and switch on **Advanced** at the top of the page.
2. Under **Protocol**, in the **Encryption and type of service** row, find **protocol encryption**. The default is **Prefer encrypted, fall back to plaintext (recommended)**.
![](https://forum.qnap.net.pl/attachments/75924/)
3. Choose **Require encryption** only if you accept fewer peers. **Off (plaintext only)** turns encryption off.
4. Press **Review & save** and confirm the change in the window that opens. rtorrent takes the new value without a restart.

**Notice & Advise**
When the NAS goes to the internet through a VPN, peers see the VPN's address instead of yours. They can reach you only through a port the VPN service forwards to you; the Ports guide has the settings.

Ref. links:
[Rtorrent 16 guide: Ports](https://pub.qnaputilities.com/rtorrent16/demo/guides/?g=ports)

---

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