uTorrent bundling crapware that mines for cryptocurrency

[Berryracer]

For anyone who uses uTorrent, it's really time you switch to an open source client like qBittorrent, read this please:

bundling crapware that mines for cryptocurrency

what's worse is, I even purchased the uTorrent Pro as uTorrent was my fav torrent client, but even the Pro version has the same bundled crapware, yes you don't see ads in the program itself, but during installation, you get all the crapware just like the free version! so much for a paid product! scamming at its best. got a refund immediately

Also make sure you do this:

How to Remove uTorrent’s EpicScale Crapware From Your Computer

I don't mind them putting ads and crapware in the free version they have to make money somehow and I've tried every torrent client out there, they all suck with the exception of qBittorrent.....but I still prefer the UI of uTorrent maybe coz I'm so used to it....... so I went ahead and paid for a yearly subscription for the Pro version only to be shocked that it is no different than the free version in terms of bundling crapware except for the fact that it doesn't show ads by default in the main GUI which you can easily disable in the free version! so much for supporting a company with 0 ethics......I asked for a refund after seeing the crapware it bundles and they gave me a refund no questions asked.
Even when I opted out of everything in the Pro installer when it asked me to install bla bla bla, when I ran SAS, it still detected a hidden ask toolbar extension in my browser!

 

[tynopik]

http://betanews.com/2015/03/06/reports-that-utorrent-silently-installs-bitcoin-crapware-are-crap/

also, why does anyone use anything beyond 2.2.1 anyways?

 

[lxskllr]

http://betanews.com/2015/03/06/reports-that-utorrent-silently-installs-bitcoin-crapware-are-crap/

also, why does anyone use anything beyond 2.2.1 anyways?

I don't understand why anyone uses proprietary software when there's perfectly good libre versions like qBittorrent in this case. There's no "spot the crapware" game; just a simple installation that installs the desired program.

If one wants a "Pro" version, they can make a donation to the devs to show appreciation for their work. Non paying users aren't punished by being forced to jump through hoops, read ads, or any other anti-social tactics. If the user wants to change the software, source code is provided so they can change it, or pay someone to change it for them. If the feature desired has wide appeal, simply asking the devs might work too.

 

[Berryracer]

http://betanews.com/2015/03/06/reports-that-utorrent-silently-installs-bitcoin-crapware-are-crap/

also, why does anyone use anything beyond 2.2.1 anyways?

because its download speeds are less I'm not sure of why but I read somewhere that some trackers do not accept an old torrent client or something in that sense

 

[Berryracer]

I don't understand why anyone uses proprietary software when there's perfectly good libre versions like qBittorrent in this case. There's no "spot the crapware" game; just a simple installation that installs the desired program.

If one wants a "Pro" version, they can make a donation to the devs to show appreciation for their work. Non paying users aren't punished by being forced to jump through hoops, read ads, or any other anti-social tactics. If the user wants to change the software, source code is provided so they can change it, or pay someone to change it for them. If the feature desired has wide appeal, simply asking the devs might work too.

You always talked about Libre Software and I never understood you back then.....now I do......Libre Software FTW

 

[tynopik]

because its download speeds are less I'm not sure of why but I read somewhere that some trackers do not accept an old torrent client or something in that sense

Actually, more recent versions of uTorrent are banned on several trackers while 2.2x is allowed

 

[Berryracer]

Actually, more recent versions of uTorrent are banned on several trackers while 2.2x is allowed

whoaa! that's a first time for me to read that!

 

[tynopik]

whoaa! that's a first time for me to read that!

Well, if it's not the trackers you use, then it doesn't matter

 

[TheRyuu]

I guess this is a story because of the Superfish stuff that's been going on since uTorrent has been bundling this software for two months now[1]. I also believe that it is completely optional and if you pay attention during installation you're fine. I'm not saying I agree with it just that I'm not sure there's as much of a story here as what it's being made to be since AFAIK they've been bundling crapware for some time now.

[1] http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/03/torrent-latest-victim-of-crapware-paranoia/

 

[It's Not Lupus]

I suspect ars is using an updated build in their testing.

 

[Mushkins]

I guess this is a story because of the Superfish stuff that's been going on since uTorrent has been bundling this software for two months now[1]. I also believe that it is completely optional and if you pay attention during installation you're fine. I'm not saying I agree with it just that I'm not sure there's as much of a story here as what it's being made to be since AFAIK they've been bundling crapware for some time now.

[1] http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/03/torrent-latest-victim-of-crapware-paranoia/

Yeah, "free apps require you to uncheck bundled installers" isn't exactly News at 11.

 

[Nashemon]

It asks during the installation if you want to install it. How is that silent?

You want to keep your computer infection free for the lowest cost? The only cost is to pay attention to what you're installing on your computer. But people just click Next Next Next Next Next Next Next Finish without reading the EULA, without reading patch notes, without reading a word of what they're installing then blaming the company when someone finds crapware on their computer. Even installing Java requires that you uncheck a box (used to be 3 boxes) in order to dodge installing crapware.

I've been using the free version of uTorrent since 2005 without any issues, never even considered paying for it. But I'll admit it used to be better. I'll give qBittorrent a look, though.

 

[Reshin]

It asks during the installation if you want to install it. How is that silent?

You want to keep your computer infection free for the lowest cost? The only cost is to pay attention to what you're installing on your computer. But people just click Next Next Next Next Next Next Next Finish without reading the EULA, without reading patch notes, without reading a word of what they're installing then blaming the company when someone finds crapware on their computer. Even installing Java requires that you uncheck a box (used to be 3 boxes) in order to dodge installing crapware.

I've been using the free version of uTorrent since 2005 without any issues, never even considered paying for it. But I'll admit it used to be better. I'll give qBittorrent a look, though.

Does it give you an option? Sure, but you shouldn't have to un-check a bunch of boxes for other programs when installing one specific one, whether your using uTorrent or Java. I respect that you and many others, including myself, use the program without these issues, but the fact of the matter is people are, in general, dumb, and bundling crapware with your program is purposely taking advantage of that.

 

[mikeymikec]

I don't understand why anyone uses proprietary software when there's perfectly good libre versions like qBittorrent in this case. There's no "spot the crapware" game; just a simple installation that installs the desired program.

Except of course if you download software from a sell-out site like sourceforge...

 

[Reshin]

Except of course if you download software from a sell-out site like sourceforge...

Or if you still use CNet like my Grandma.

 

[PliotronX]

Does Unchecky catch it?

 

[jhansman]

Except of course if you download software from a sell-out site like sourceforge...

Ding! We have winner..

Remember folks, everybody doling out apps on the web is out to make a buck, one way or the other. It has now become nearly a full time job keeping this crap off your system.

BTW, running uTorrent 3.4.2 and no evidence of the trash the OP illustrates. Either it never got on my rig, or I did something right?

 

[DesiPower]

Except of course if you download software from a sell-out site like sourceforge...

then where do i go to find? are there any other ligit websites out there?

 

[Nashemon]

then where do i go to find? are there any other ligit websites out there?

Find what specifically? The program in question is uTorrent and can be downloaded from utorrent.com.

What they are referring to is the fact that third party download sites usually try to make you download their installation manager that is loaded with ad or spyware. If it doesn't do that, it has its own preloader that it downloads that either installs or asks to install a bunch of other software before it starts the download of the software you are looking for. On top of that, the download page usually has a multitude of ads that look like the download link, but actually are links to malware infected websites. So, it's best to stay away from them just incase you click the wrong button.

Unless you are trying to find an older version of a particular software, I've never had an issue with searching Google for the software name and clicking the first result (after the ads at the top of the results) to find the software I wanted straight from the company that makes its website.

 

[corkyg]

"uTorrent bundling crapware that mines for cryptocurrency"

Somehow I'm not a bit surprised.

 

[Iron Woode]

I haven't used utorrent in years.

I use tixati and like it.

 

[DesiPower]

Find what specifically? The program in question is uTorrent and can be downloaded from utorrent.com.

What they are referring to is the fact that third party download sites usually try to make you download their installation manager that is loaded with ad or spyware. If it doesn't do that, it has its own preloader that it downloads that either installs or asks to install a bunch of other software before it starts the download of the software you are looking for. On top of that, the download page usually has a multitude of ads that look like the download link, but actually are links to malware infected websites. So, it's best to stay away from them just incase you click the wrong button.

Unless you are trying to find an older version of a particular software, I've never had an issue with searching Google for the software name and clicking the first result (after the ads at the top of the results) to find the software I wanted straight from the company that makes its website.

I am talking about finding any open source software, for example, a optical disk burner, or oplical disk emulator, or a text-to-speech, or a print to pdf, or something like a rain meter. I don't use cnet or zdnet but I do use sourceforge to find them, although it does show some unclean result, but I can still sift through them and get what I really want. Google is pretty much the same as cnet. So are there other websites out there that link you to legit "Libre Software" only?

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Does Unchecky catch it?

sounds like a brilliant app, but I don't think I would count on it to protect from everything as there are some particularly devious offers out there that don't have a check box and instead you have to read about what is offered and then click either "continue" or "no thanks" which makes it seem like you're going to stop the installation process for everything if you don't click continue...which you might just be absent mindedly doing anyway outside of keeping an eye out for those check boxes

 

[bunnyfubbles]

I don't understand why anyone uses proprietary software when there's perfectly good libre versions like qBittorrent in this case. There's no "spot the crapware" game; just a simple installation that installs the desired program.

If one wants a "Pro" version, they can make a donation to the devs to show appreciation for their work. Non paying users aren't punished by being forced to jump through hoops, read ads, or any other anti-social tactics. If the user wants to change the software, source code is provided so they can change it, or pay someone to change it for them. If the feature desired has wide appeal, simply asking the devs might work too.

because sometimes the proprietary software is better, and the hoops aren't that hard to jump through?

I recently tried using qBittorrent and Deluge and while they worked and were able to get me the same basic results as uTorrent, they were missing little things I've grown to accustomed to, and this is including dated uT builds such as 3.2.2 or even 2.2.1. Really, its a testament as to how good and how far ahead of the curve uTorrent was that the older versions are still desirable over new alternative software.

 

[Muadib]

I'm using utorrent 3.4.2 and don't have these issues. Just say no.