- Who makes uTorrent and where it came from
- What uTorrent is, in plain terms
- The documented uTorrent installer and ads history
- Are the ads in uTorrent a risk?
- The real risk is what you download with uTorrent
- Downloading uTorrent without picking up extras
- Spotting fake uTorrent downloads and support
- My overall verdict on using uTorrent
- Frequently asked questions
uTorrent is a long-running torrent client, and the software itself is legal to use. But Wikipedia records past installer problems, including bundled toolbars and a Litecoin-mining app in 2015, and the free version has ads. Download only from the official site, and remember that most malware risk comes from what you download with it, not the client.
People type this question because uTorrent has a mixed reputation, and I'd rather give you the documented history than a vague yes or no. I've read uTorrent's own site and what Wikipedia records about its past, so you can judge what to watch for before you install anything.
Who makes uTorrent and where it came from
According to Wikipedia, uTorrent was written by Ludvig Strigeus, and BitTorrent, Inc. bought it in 2006 and has owned and maintained the code since. The first public release was in 2005, so this isn't a new or anonymous tool.
Wikipedia also says the BitTorrent company was later renamed Rainberry, Inc. uTorrent's own homepage doesn't spell out the operating company's name, so I'm relying on Wikipedia for ownership here.
What uTorrent is, in plain terms
uTorrent is a client for the BitTorrent protocol, which is a way of sharing files directly between users rather than from one central server. The site lists uTorrent Web for Windows and Mac, uTorrent Classic for Windows, Mac and Linux, and an Android app on Google Play.
It's described on its site as a very tiny desktop client for experienced users, in the Classic version. If you're new to this kind of software, take that wording seriously: it expects you to understand what you're downloading and from where.
The documented uTorrent installer and ads history
This is the part that gives uTorrent its reputation. According to Wikipedia, version 1.8.2 installed the Ask.com toolbar by default between 2008 and 2010, and the Bing Toolbar was bundled in 2011. Ads were added to the free version in 2012, and they could later be turned off.
The most serious entry is from 2015. Wikipedia says Epic Scale, a background app that mined Litecoin, was installed automatically with uTorrent and was removed from the installer on March 28, 2015. That's a good reason to read every screen of an installer and decline anything extra.
| What I checked | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Who owns uTorrent? | BitTorrent, Inc. bought it in 2006, per Wikipedia |
| Is the software legal? | Wikipedia says the protocol itself is legal |
| Any bundled software in the past? | Yes: toolbars, and a Litecoin-mining app in 2015 |
| Ads? | Added to the free version in 2012; the PRO plan lists no ads in Classic |
| Spying claims? | Speculation in 2006; Wikipedia says no evidence has been produced |
Are the ads in uTorrent a risk?
uTorrent's site doesn't say whether the free versions show ads, but its paid PRO plan lists no ads and no distractions, available in uTorrent Classic only. So expect ads on free versions and treat them like any ad on the web.
Never click a flashing banner that says your computer is infected or that you must update something. Those are classic tricks. If you want a refresher on spotting trouble, my guide to keeping hackers away from your website covers habits that apply well beyond websites.
The real risk is what you download with uTorrent
The software is legal, but downloading copyrighted films, music, software or games without permission isn't. Wikipedia notes the protocol is legal while problems come from sharing copyright-infringing works, and legitimate uses include open-source projects offering BitTorrent downloads and the Internet Archive.
It also says more than 200,000 US copyright lawsuits involving BitTorrent have been filed since 2010. In the UK, the High Court ordered five ISPs to block The Pirate Bay in 2012. I'm not a lawyer, so check the rules where you live, but the plain point is that torrent files from random sites are where malware tends to hide.
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- Stick to torrents of files you have the right to share, such as open-source software.
- Be wary of cracked software, game keygens and anything that asks you to disable antivirus.
- Don't open a downloaded file ending in .exe or .scr unless you trust the source completely.
- Keep your operating system and security software up to date.
Downloading uTorrent without picking up extras
Go to uTorrent's official site, not a search ad or a mirror, because fake download pages often wrap legitimate software in extra junk. Read each installer screen and decline offers you didn't ask for.
- Type the address yourself or use a bookmark you trust.
- Choose the version you need: Web, Classic or Android from Google Play.
- Untick optional offers during installation.
- After installing, check what else appeared in your programs list.
If you reuse passwords across sites, a malware infection can cost you more than a slow computer. A password manager helps; my comparison of two popular password managers compared is a starting point.
Spotting fake uTorrent downloads and support
Popular software names attract copycats. Watch out for pages that look like uTorrent but sit on a different address, emails claiming your download is infected, and pop-ups with a phone number for support.
- uTorrent won't ask you to pay by gift card or bank transfer to a stranger.
- Ignore pop-ups telling you to call a number to fix your computer.
- Never share verification codes or remote access with anyone who contacts you first.
My overall verdict on using uTorrent
This is a real, long-established client and the software itself is legal, so I wouldn't call it a scam. But its history of bundled offers and ads, including a mining app in 2015, means it deserves more care than most programs. Download it from the official site, decline extras, and be fussy about what you download with it, because that's where most of the danger sits.
Frequently asked questions
Is uTorrent legal?
Wikipedia says the BitTorrent protocol itself is legal. Downloading copyrighted material without permission isn't, wherever you do it.
Who owns uTorrent?
According to Wikipedia, BitTorrent, Inc. bought uTorrent in 2006 and has owned and maintained the code since.
Has uTorrent ever bundled other software?
According to Wikipedia, yes. Version 1.8.2 installed the Ask.com toolbar by default, the Bing Toolbar was bundled in 2011, and a Litecoin-mining app was installed automatically in 2015 before being removed.
Does uTorrent have ads?
Wikipedia says ads were added to the free version in 2012. uTorrent's site lists a PRO plan with no ads in uTorrent Classic.
Where should I download uTorrent?
From the official uTorrent site or Google Play for Android. Avoid mirrors and search ads, and decline any optional offers in the installer.
