To mitigate risks, many users rely on specific tools to hide their digital footprint while browsing:

One of the friends, a film student named Priya, decided to dig deeper. She discovered that the website was likely operating from a server located in a country with lax copyright laws. She also found online forums where people were discussing the website's legitimacy and the potential risks of using it.

Beyond ethics, there’s risk. These sites are often riddled with malicious ads, trackers, and potential malware. Your device becomes a node in their profit machine. And in many countries, accessing them can lead to ISP warnings, throttled speeds, or legal notices—even if prosecution is rare.