uTorrent client is stealing your CPU cycles to mine Bitcoins


Recommended Posts

I believe 1.8.2 is vulnerable to the uTorrent DLL hijacking exploit.

I use uTorrent 2.0.4.22967 which is the last 2.0 version and is not vulnerable to the DLL Hijacking Exploit. I wouldn't use anything after 2.0 however, i'd be tempted to find a different client.

 

Great minds think alike! :laugh: That's the exact same version I use and have never upgraded and am not missing out on a single thing. I tried the 2.1.x (2.2.x?) version once where they introduced skinning and apps and other nonsense, and the 3.x line just made me puke, as did the Plus version they kept bugging me about that had a trash AV and media player built in. Also I've never ever bothered with uTorrent's setup. Portable version FTW, works great and I keep a copy on a USB stick too.

why are people even worried?    in fact why are people even upgrading to the latest version?

i have stopped upgrading to new version a long time ago.     my trusty utorrent 1.8.2 is still running just as awesome as it was in the day it was released.

 

i don't need any extra functionality, and everything i wanted was covered by old version.

 

there was ok versions in v2,   but v3 was all extra bloatware.... the reason i started using utorrent was to get rid of it.

 

 

 

u  want a good torrent client?    just go back to 1.8.2 and never update the software again.

There's a very good reason to not go back to 1.8.2 - security vulnerabilities.

If you go back to a very old version of utorrent you'll probably have the same risks as if you update and install this. Best option is to use a complete different client that's kept updated like deluge.

A little off topic but how is qBittorrent for speed?

 

 

It is good! The primary reason I switched to qBittorrent was due to the speed / disk cache issues that utorrent would throw with large files.

 

Haven't had any of these issues with qBittorrent.

It is good! The primary reason I switched to qBittorrent was due to the speed / disk cache issues that utorrent would throw with large files.

 

Haven't had any of these issues with qBittorrent.

 

Haven't had any issues with uTorrent either, but then again I have overriden the automatic disk cache.

The only reason I still use uTorrent over others is because I make use of the Web UI and uTorrent's is the best I've come across so far

 

can anyone make any suggestions of a torrent client that has a better Web UI?

 

this is definitely a final nail in the coffin for me & I'd rather like to switch if I can find another client with a good Web UI (one that can use https is preferable)

Haven't had any issues with uTorrent either, but then again I have overriden the automatic disk cache.

 

 

The disk cache settings didn't help me at all. I went through all possibilities and guides. In the end I reverted back to a previous utorrent version which didn't exhibit this bug .. however long term this wasn't an adequate solution.

 

Only thing qBittorrent lacks imho is a proper Icon which is also part of this century.

can anyone make any suggestions of a torrent client that has a better Web UI?

Been toying with qBitTorrent for a bit today, the web UI in this looks pretty capable, looks and acts near identical to the client itself.. might have found me a keeper. Probably much less successful on a small device like a phone but haven't tried it.

The disk cache settings didn't help me at all. I went through all possibilities and guides. In the end I reverted back to a previous utorrent version which didn't exhibit this bug .. however long term this wasn't an adequate solution.

 

I do use an older uTorrent version so that may be the reason why it works for me. Yet another reason to dump the newer buggy bloated releases. Been using 2.0.4 for 4 years 4 months (since the day it was released) and no problems yet. Long term I envision no problems either but if I ever need to switch it's good to know there are decent alternatives available.

I think its silly to even use torrent software. Cheap and far more safe to subscribe to services that download the torrents for you, and allow you to download it from their servers at high speed and anomalously.

No software other than a browser, or download manager needed.

I use torrents to download iso images of Linux or anything big like netbeans. All 100% legit

And this is why I'm still running 2.2.1 version of uTorrent.  

 

That's what i was using up until recently but the lack of torrent information to select/unselect before downloading forced me to start using qbittorrent. Been much better for me so far. UI could be better though.

That's what i was using up until recently but the lack of torrent information to select/unselect before downloading forced me to start using qbittorrent. Been much better for me so far. UI could be better though.

What are you talking about? When I download a torrent in 2.2.1, it comes up with a dialog that asks me where to save it, what items to select/deselect, and what category to put it in.  If that doesn't come up for you, you can enable it in settings.

What are you talking about? When I download a torrent in 2.2.1, it comes up with a dialog that asks me where to save it, what items to select/deselect, and what category to put it in.  If that doesn't come up for you, you can enable it in settings.

 

Didn't show up for magnet links i meant. Sorry, forgot to add that!

I gave up on utorrent a long time ago when I saw this bloatware direction they were going in.  I use deluge on my seedbox VM, daemon mode is simply awesome.  Deluge interfaces can connect to it and remotely control the server but still feel like its running natively on each system..that along was a huge selling point for me. Lots of useful plugins for it, and pretty configurable. 

Great minds think alike! :laugh: That's the exact same version I use and have never upgraded and am not missing out on a single thing. I tried the 2.1.x (2.2.x?) version once where they introduced skinning and apps and other nonsense, and the 3.x line just made me puke, as did the Plus version they kept bugging me about that had a trash AV and media player built in. Also I've never ever bothered with uTorrent's setup. Portable version FTW, works great and I keep a copy on a USB stick too.

 

They do indeed! :laugh:  I've always used my uTorrent as a portable app too, I launch it with the /recover parameter so the settings are loaded from the uTorrent folder.

 

Looking at my stats it would appear i've done that for almost 6 and a half years, never realised it had been so long!

 

2rngbbd.jpg

 

56292 hours = 2345 days = 6 years 4 months.

The only reason I still use uTorrent over others is because I make use of the Web UI and uTorrent's is the best I've come across so far

 

can anyone make any suggestions of a torrent client that has a better Web UI?

 

this is definitely a final nail in the coffin for me & I'd rather like to switch if I can find another client with a good Web UI (one that can use https is preferable)

 

qBittorrent has a WebUI also. It's not as consistent as uTorrent's but it is very functional and supports copy & pasting magnet links en-mass.

The real story before this spirals out of control. I have no affiliation with betanews but concur with their assessment. It clearly asks you if you want it during install of utorrent.

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

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • They aren't going to want to. Most would just go with the 17 Pro and save money. Why would they want to spend $300 for basically the same thing? It's not worth it if there are hardly any changes from year to year.
    • 24H2 rolled out to the Release Preview Channel in early June 2024, so this coming a bit later in the Experimental Channel (formerly Dev) doesn't really say much more than earlier H2 releases that came out in October. I am not sure what the thinking is here by putting it in Experimental, one would think that the 26H2 stamp means features are locked down and it's now bug tested until October? I don't even pretend to understand Microsoft's strategy for Windows Insider Program though
    • Nothing Ear (a) and CMF Buds Pro 2 with active noise cancellation drop to lowest price ever by Fiza Ali With Prime Day 2026 scheduled to run from Tuesday 23 to Friday 26 June, Amazon has already begun rolling out early access offers ahead of the main event. Particularly, Nothing Ear (a) and CMF Buds Pro 2 wireless earbuds have dropped to their lowest price ever with limited Prime deal offering 33% and 24% discounts, respectively. Nothing Ear (a) are equipped with 11mm dynamic drivers featuring a PM1 + TPU diaphragm. For noise control, the earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 45dB across frequencies reaching 5,000Hz. The smart ANC algorithm adapts to surrounding noise levels, while a Transparency Mode allows users to remain aware of their environment when needed. Connectivity is handled via Bluetooth 5.3, with support for AAC, SBC, and LDAC audio codecs. Additional features include IP54-rated earbuds for dust and splash resistance, paired with an IPX2-rated charging case. Furthermore, users also benefit from pinch controls, in-ear detection, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, dual-device connectivity, and a low-latency mode designed for gaming and video playback. The Nothing X app unlocks a range of customisation options, including a personalised equaliser, bass enhancement, control remapping, ear tip fit testing, firmware updates, dual-device management, a Find My Earbuds feature, and low-latency mode settings. When it comes to the battery, the earbuds house a 46mAh lithium-ion battery, while the charging case contains a 500mAh cell. With ANC disabled, users can expect up to 9.5 hours of playback from the earbuds and up to 42.5 hours in total with the charging case. With ANC enabled, battery life is rated at up to 5.5 hours per charge and up to 24.5 hours combined with the case. Finally, fast charging is also supported that should provide up to 10 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge with ANC turned off. Nothing Ear (a) Wireless Earbuds (Black): $53.20 (Amazon US) - 33% The CMF Buds Pro 2 feature a dual-driver audio system consisting of an 11mm bass driver and a 6mm micro-planar tweeter. The earbuds use PU (polyurethane) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) titanium-coated diaphragms and are tuned by Nothing to deliver balanced audio performance. They further support active noise cancellation of up to 50dB across a frequency range of up to 5,000Hz, and noise control features include a Smart ANC algorithm, Adaptive ANC, Transparency Mode, and Clear Voice Technology 2.0. For calls, the CMF Buds Pro 2 use a total of six microphones and feature an environmental noise-cancelling algorithm, Clear Voice Technology 3.0, and Wind Noise Reduction 3.0 that should improve voice clarity during conversations. Furthermore, when it comes to the connectivity, it is provided through Bluetooth 5.4. Additional features include an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair, in-ear detection, a low-latency mode, and a Find My Earbuds function. Moreover, through the Nothing X app for Android and iOS, users can access custom EQ settings, a bass enhancement algorithm, customisable controls, Find My Earbuds, low-latency mode, dual-device connectivity, an ear tip fit test, and firmware updates. The earbuds contain a 60mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, while the charging case houses a 460mAh battery. A full charge of the earbuds and case via USB-C should take approximately 85 minutes, while the earbuds alone should be fully recharged in the case in around 60 minutes. Battery life is rated at up to 11 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 43 hours with the charging case when ANC is turned off. With ANC enabled, playback time is reduced to up to 6.5 hours on the earbuds and up to 26 hours with the charging case. Talk time is rated at up to 6 hours on the earbuds and 25 hours with the case with ANC disabled, or up to 4.8 hours and 18.6 hours, respectively, with ANC enabled. CMF Buds Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds (Dark Grey): $37.05 (Amazon US) - 24% Good to know This Amazon deal is U.S. specific, and not available in other regions unless specified. We only use first-party seller links (at the time of article publishing); ensure that you purchase from a first-party seller link only. Check out Today's Deals on Amazon | or our recent tech deals. Become a Prime member (for Students or SNAP) via Neowin Get Prime Access - Prime for half price (for qualifying Medicaid, EBT, SNAP) Subscribe to Prime Video, Audible Plus, Music Unlimited or Kindle Unlimited via Neowin As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
    • The entire world moved to the vastly superior and now universally supported Dolby Atmos technology a very long time ago, mate.
  • Recent Achievements

    • Collaborator
      ryansurfer98 went up a rank
      Collaborator
    • Week One Done
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • One Month Later
      Eurosoft10 earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Year In
      Skeet Campbell earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Sharbel earned a badge
      One Month Later
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      543
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      187
    3. 3
      Michael Scrip
      77
    4. 4
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      75
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      71
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!