uTorrent bundling crapware that mines for cryptocurrency

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!

 

Guess I made a right choice switching to Deluge a year ago.

 

I just use my Asus Router it has a built in torrent downloader i just have to plug in an hdd to the usb port and it runs 24/7 no computer required and i can access the downloads from any computer on my network, play video and install software.

John.

 

yeah I have an ASUS RT-AC3200 myself, but after you get the torrent file, how do you run it in your router? that's my doubt

 

Really I use the older ut 2.0 version and that runs fine and has no crapware or bloatware like the never version 3.x has. So going new isn't always better. You can still search and find the older ut 2.0 version and that is the best version before they went 3.x utorrent. One can search and find the previous ut but you want to use the uTorrent 2.0.4 Build 22967 that is the version I use and tell others to use it is easy to customize it and works fine for my needs. Here's the link to older version...Don't by any standards use 3.x or you will get ads, bloatware, popups. I know other have used above 2.0.4 but this version has served me well and no need to change it.

http://www.oldapps.com/utorrent.php

 

In the routers main page select "usb applications" then click "download master" you have to have this installed to the hdd attached to your router, it will open a box and you just load the torrent file from where you saved it on your notebook, and click ok and then it will start to download.

You can bookmark the "download master" page so you dont have to go the routers main page every time.

John.

 

Why install bundled software without reading, by the way? There is a delcine button, isn't it?

 

I thought if you used an older torrent client then your download speeds are slower if not blocked altogether as some trackers don't like old clients? is that true?

 

Depends on the tracker. The site I use recommends older versions because of crap like this. They leave direct links up to I think 2.2? I could be wrong...but either way I get my full 12mb down 6 up

 

so which is faster? the old uTorrent v2.2 or qBittorrent?

 

This is correct - I never update uTorrent because the last time I did, I needed to downgrade because the newer version had a bug causing it to announce to the tracker too often. Since then, I haven't updated uTorrent at all.

 

There's no reason to upgrade beyond 2.2.1 for uT.

I switched to qBitorrent sometime ago and I prefer it compared to uT.

 

Yeah, couple months ago I was highly shocked that after installing uTorrent and unchecking all cr@pware I still got malware not just in my browsers but IT CREATED FOLDERS WITH AUTOINSTALING CR@PWARE FOR ALL POSSIBLE BROWSERS IN C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming!
I literally had to clean all cr@pware from my installed browsers (FF and IE) but also delete multiple folders for non-installed browsers from Roaming folder! This literally means that uTorrent installed/is trojans/malware because it didn't ask permission and it installed itself/by uTorrent.
I also launched ADWcleaner and it found some open.candy in folder... opencandy! LOL. Now I will reuse uTorrent folder all the time and when I can't I will install it ONLY with logging application like Uninstall Tool.
I also suggest to install Unchecky. Very good automated software which prevents installing different types of bundled cr@pware.

NO
In my case it installed russian yandex cr@pelements for all possible browsers I heard after I unchecked "install yandex browser", unchecked "make yandex home url", unchecked "suck yandex' dic..." no that wasn't written in that way but that was meant.

 

That's what they want you to believe...it all based on seeders and your internet bandwidth first and foremost.

 

I never left 2.0.4 and been fine using utorrent since then. Problem is if you have torrents already in one and tried to transfer to another you have probability of loosing them. In my case I did but could never find out which one they were. So unless your doing a clean setup that is fine but one should take caution when migrating torrents to another torrent program should they loose their torrents during the migration.

 

It more based on Seeders-the more seeders the more bandwidth you can download in faster time but having a faster broadband does help DN/UP. And all torrent program most likely at the core are using the same programming so you will get same results regardless of the torrent program-big exception utorrent 3.xx=malware/bloatware.

 

pravda brat!

Even when unchecking everything I did get the crapware of Ask installed.

PS: I have a very small hosts file that I use which blocks open candy and a few crapware sites that try to inject malware when you visit them.

If anyone is interested, simply copy paste the below text in an empty text notepad and save it as hosts then copy it to the hosts location

Code:

# Copyright (c) 1993-2006 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

127.0.0.1       localhost
127.0.0.1 tracking.opencandy.com.s3.amazonaws.com
127.0.0.1 media.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 cdn.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 tracking.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 api.opencandy.com
127.0.0.1 bi.bisrv.com
127.0.0.1 cdn.bisrv.com
127.0.0.1 cdn.bisrv.com/sponsored/baidu/pcfaster
127.0.0.1 global-shared-files-l3.softonic.com
127.0.0.1 www.softonic.com
127.0.0.1 softonic.com
127.0.0.1 www.bestvistadownloads.com
127.0.0.1 cdn.bisrv.com
::1             localhost

 

I switched from uTorrent to Tixati years ago, when uTorrent installed a bunch of Conduit ******** on my computer without asking me. This **** basically took over my browser, to the point where I had to completely uninstall and reinstall my browser to get rid of it. No matter what I did, it kept changing my search engine to the crappy Conduit engine and redirecting my homepage. **** uTorrent and **** Conduit too.

 

nice laptop you have there dawg. How did you put 4 SSDs in your laptop????? Does the GT72 have 4 slots or what?

 

Yeah it comes with 4x mSATA slots, 1x 2.5" slot (originally contains a HDD), and you can even slot another 2.5" drive in place of the optical drive if you buy a caddy for it.

 

wow that's awesome! it's a beast of a laptop if it has 4 mSATA slots.

What are the problems that you are facing with it (if any) and what screen does it have? IPS or PLS? or TN? What resolution also?

 

Could someone please tell me where exactly should I look for the uTorrent-related crapware? I use 3.4.2 free with removed ads, just in case.

 

hm...I already got my PC "hosts" filed edit with a good hosts file site and that more or less kills the majority of those sites already and even if you click on it it gets a blank white browser screen. That site blocks more that you don't see of those ads site.

 

Only real way I found to get rid those ut 3.xxx crapware is to reinstall your system to wipe it off your computer. I think they bury it in your system so you can't find it. And if you do that go to the link I posted and get uTorrent 2.0.4 Build 22967 and install that and stay with that version. I use that version and it works way better then uT 3.xxx/malware....

 

That's true, a format is necessary as nothing will get rid of the hidden crap uTorrent buried in one's system

 

Glad I didn't update to the newer version.

Currently running client version 3.4.2 (build 37754) (the one before the crapware), with the ads disabled. Too accustomed to the UI to change lol.

 

That's really crummy. I quit updating uTorrent a couple years ago when they added the ads and have stuck with 3.1.3 (pre-ads) since then, but the ads were only annoying, not malicious.

 

Uninstalled this as soon as I heard that and installed Transmission. I'm done with uTorrent.

 

This is what I have at the end of hosts file. I suggest everyone open hosts file located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts with notepad and add this at the end and possibly add other lines from Matrix Leader6 post.

Code:

# unchecky_begin
# These rules were added by the Unchecky program in order to block advertising software modules
0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 # fix for traceroute and netstat display anomaly
0.0.0.0 tracking.opencandy.com.s3.amazonaws.com
0.0.0.0 media.opencandy.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.opencandy.com
0.0.0.0 tracking.opencandy.com
0.0.0.0 api.opencandy.com
0.0.0.0 installer.betterinstaller.com
0.0.0.0 installer.filebulldog.com
0.0.0.0 d3oxtn1x3b8d7i.cloudfront.net
0.0.0.0 inno.bisrv.com
0.0.0.0 nsis.bisrv.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.file2desktop.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.goateastcach.us
0.0.0.0 cdn.guttastatdk.us
0.0.0.0 cdn.inskinmedia.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.insta.oibundles2.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.insta.playbryte.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.llogetfastcach.us
0.0.0.0 cdn.montiera.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.msdwnld.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.mypcbackup.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.ppdownload.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.riceateastcach.us
0.0.0.0 cdn.shyapotato.us
0.0.0.0 cdn.solimba.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.tuto4pc.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.appround.biz
0.0.0.0 cdn.bigspeedpro.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.bispd.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.bisrv.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.cdndp.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.download.sweetpacks.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.dpdownload.com
0.0.0.0 cdn.visualbee.net
# unchecky_end

 

excellent list! I'll dd it to mine! thanks a lot

 

Unfortunately for Windows 7 users an below that 0.0.0.0 will not work for those systems...and will cause instabilities...

 

Maybe you are correct but I have Windows 7 and all is working. Dunno.

 

StormJumper, I didn't install any bundles and can't find any crapware, or open.candy, or whatever is mentioned in this thread, on my notebook. Could someone please specify exactly what trojans and crapware does uTorrent install silently, so that I can confirm it on my PC and get motivated to change torrent app?

 

I also noticed that when using 0.0.0.0 my system would randomly crash so I stick to the standard 127.0.0.1

 

When I installed uTorrent, it bundled with it a browser hijacker called Conduit. It installs toolbars, changes your homepage to the Conduit search (which is a ****ty knock-off of Google search), and defaults your search engine to Conduit. Removing it is extremely difficult.

 

KnightofDight, I never install bundles, but, AFAIU, people here say that uTorrent installs crapware even if you decline all offers. Hence I ask what crapware exactly does it silently install.

 

even when declining everything, the moment I install it and run a scan with SAS, I see it has a hidden Ask toolbar injected in the browser which I don't see, but it's there so I removed it with SAS

This happens even with the old v2 BTW

 

That's the problem 0.0.0.0 is for Window 8 not for any other O/S.

 

Go and read up on the problems with the crapware on their own forum at ... forum.utorrent.com and you will see it there without having to tell you.

 

Here's what a PC hosts editor said about 0.0.0.0

 

Neither do I, but it installed the

Problems I have with it is that upgrading the RAM is a *****. Have to COMPLETELY disassemble and remove the motherboard to access the empty RAM slots. That is the only problem though. The manufacturer is SUPPOSED to fill those slots first and leave the ones on top (accessible simply by removing the bottom of the case) open but the company I ordered it from (ibuypower) didn't do that. Had I known that, I would have just paid a little more to have it shipped with max RAM. Oh well. 16GB is enough for now.

Mine is a TN screen but one model up (with a 4720 processor) apparently comes with an IPS screen. The TN screen is pretty good, but most reviewers rate that as this model's weakness.

I believe it can go up to 4K resolution but I just run mine at 1080P and that is good enough for me

 

Most laptops unfortunately come this way, stupid manufacturers always make it a big hassle to upgrade. Like on my previus ASUS G750JX laptop, it has 4 slots, 2 underneath the keyboard, and 2 in the easily accessible bottom panel. Guess where they put my 16GB of RAM? in the easy to access bottom panel leaving the free slots in the hard to reach under the keyboard slots! how stupid

now about 4K, be glad you didn't get it because alot of games and programs have problems with such a high DPI scaling so unless you wanna use a magnifier and look at everything in the tiny 4K resolution without scaling, then it's a waste. HD is even more than enough and I do 125% DPI scaling in the 1920x1080 resolution otherwise everything is too tiny for me (no I don't wear glasses BTW but it's too tiny)

 

Maybe they do it right for business oriented models? My precision came with the easy to access slots empty.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Wow we get off track easy don't we all????

 

I use Tixati, reminds me of early days uTorrent. No BS bloat, just torrents.

 

This is why I try to tell users get rid of the newer utorrent and get the older version and that will save you GPU and hair pulling trying to remove utorrent. I still utorrent that is 2.0.4 version and that works find I just make sure to uncheck the Check for Updates and other various preference changes and utorrent has worked fine for me.

 

But why risk it? It is easier and safer to just go for Tixati if you do not already have a torrent client. It is also what I use -- no issues. No bloat at all, no ads, no nagware prompting you to "go pro/update versions," etc. Just a simple client that downloads your files.

 

It's better to just use Tixati. Using an old version of uTorrent leaves you open to newly discovered security holes. It's why private trackers will deny access.

 

only its interface sucks major ***. qBitttorrent FTW