The website ExtraTorrent.cc was once the second-largest BitTorrent system in the world, trailing only The Pirate Bay. However, the original platform permanently shut down on May 17, 2017
, and the site you likely see today is a "clone" or "mirror" that is not managed by the original creators. Historical Background Peak Popularity
: At its height, ExtraTorrent was ranked as the 291st most-visited website globally. It was highly regarded for its active community and dedicated in-house release groups like ETTV and ETHD. The Sudden Exit
: In May 2017, the site's administrator, known as "SaM," shut down the primary domain and all mirrors without warning, replacing the site with a farewell message and stating that all data had been wiped. Modern Risks & Reliability
Because the original site is dead, any current version (often using domains like ) should be approached with extreme caution: Malware Concerns
: Many modern imitators have been reported to bundle torrent files with malware or unwanted software. Intrusive Advertising
: Users frequently report excessive pop-up ads, many of which redirect to fraudulent or adult websites. Identity Scams
: Some clones use the ExtraTorrent name to phish for user information or lead visitors to unrelated services. Legality and Safety The website ExtraTorrent
ExtraTorrent (abbreviated as ET) was once one of the largest and most influential BitTorrent indexes in the world, trailing only behind The Pirate Bay in terms of global traffic. Founded in November 2006 by an administrator known as SaM, the site became a central hub for millions of daily visitors seeking digital media and software. The Rise of ExtraTorrent
ExtraTorrent initially gained significant traction following the decline of earlier dominant sites like Mininova. It differentiated itself through:
Active Community: A robust user base that contributed magnet links and torrent files, making it more than just a search engine.
Release Groups: The site hosted highly regarded in-house release groups, including ETRG, ettv, and Ethd, which were responsible for high-quality, frequently updated content.
Stability: For over a decade, it remained a reliable fixture in the torrenting landscape, surviving various domain seizures and temporary outages. The Unexpected Shutdown
On May 17, 2017, ExtraTorrent abruptly ceased operations. Visitors were greeted with a stark message on its homepage:
"ExtraTorrent has shut down permanently. ExtraTorrent with all mirrors goes offline. We permanently erase all data. Stay away from fake ExtraTorrent websites and clones. Thx to all ET supporters and torrent community. ET was a place to be..." safety and security are essential concerns:
The site operator, SaM, confirmed to TorrentFreak that the closure was permanent, stating simply, "It's time we say goodbye". Causes and Aftermath
While the official message did not specify a reason, several factors likely contributed to the decision:
Legal Pressure: The shutdown occurred during an intense global crackdown on major torrent sites, following the arrests and closures associated with KickassTorrents and Torrentz.eu.
Funding and Logistics: Reports suggested that a lack of funds to sustain operational expenses played a role in the decision.
Clone Warnings: Immediately following the closure, numerous "resurrected" versions and clones (such as extratorrent.cd) appeared. The original staff explicitly warned users to stay away from these, as they were often "opportunist copycats" or mirrors of other sites designed to deliver malware.
The closure led to a massive migration of users to other platforms like The Pirate Bay, RARBG, and 1337x.
Report: Analysis of ExtraTorrent.cc and the "Largest BitTorrent System" Phenomenon User Base: At its peak
Subject: Operational History and Decline of ExtraTorrent.cc Date: October 26, 2023 Status: Defunct
The phrase often associated with the site ("the world's largest BitTorrent system") highlights the competitive nature of the piracy landscape in the early-to-mid 2010s.
It is crucial to note that ExtraTorrent.cc is currently defunct.
Founded in 2006, ExtraTorrent grew to become a major hub for digital content using the BitTorrent protocol.
While BitTorrent systems can be useful for sharing and downloading files, safety and security are essential concerns:
Some well-known BitTorrent systems include:
This report analyzes the topic "Page 1 ExtraTorrent.cc," referencing the erstwhile BitTorrent index ExtraTorrent. Historically, ExtraTorrent (ET) was one of the world's largest file-sharing platforms, often ranking alongside The Pirate Bay and KickassTorrents. The specific search query "the world39s largest bittorrent system" (a URL-encoded version of "world's") reflects the site's peak branding and perceived dominance in the file-sharing ecosystem before its voluntary shutdown in 2017.