Yes, uTorrent is overall safe . However, there are some conspiracies and security concerns around this torrent client. In this guide, we’ll give you all the details about the safety of this torrent client and tips to make uTorrent safe.
According to research conducted in 2020, uTorrent is the most popular torrent client among torrenters. This BitTorrent client is used every day by millions to download multiple P2P files.
Remote torrent management, bandwidth limit setting, BitTorrent proxies – all these features combine and make uTorrent one great option for torrenting.
However, the questions still arise, ‘Is uTorrent really safe?’ ‘Will it get me in any trouble for using it?’. Honestly, the torrent client does come with a few concerns, just like every other torrent client. This is one of the reasons why you need to protect your torrenting activity in multiple ways.
Quick Overview: Is uTorrent Safe to Use?
Yes, uTorrent is a popular torrent client that is pretty safe to use, but only if you download it using its official website. Also, you should always get the latest version of this torrent client to avoid malware. To be completely safe while downloading torrents using uTorrent, one should always use a reliable VPN service .
Even though uTorrent is considered safe, some users think it’s risky to use as it may contain viruses, and display annoying ads constantly.
uTorrent Features
Safety concerns don’t mean that the torrent client is not feature-rich. Here are a few features of uTorrent:
- It allows users to set a speed cap. This lets users manage how much data they use to download a file.
- It allows you to manage your downloading file remotely with an Android app specifically for this purpose.
- It allows users to put the app to sleep, hibernate, or shut down once the download is complete.
- uTorrent lets you set up BitTorrent proxies, so you can download files without exposing your IP address.
- It further lets you add RSS feeds, which may not be a new feature but is certainly a noteworthy one.
Is it Safe to Download from uTorrent?
It is safe to download files using uTorrent if only you’re downloading authentic and secure files and using an antivirus with a VPN while you’re at it. If you download files that are not secure, you might end up getting your device infected with malware, including viruses, ransomware, adware, spyware .
In case you decide not to use a VPN while downloading torrents on uTorrent, then your IP and online activities will be exposed to your ISP. And, throttling your internet to slow down your speeds would be super-easy for him as well.
Also, please keep in mind not to click on an ad while using uTorrent as it might lead you to phishing sites.
How to Use uTorrent Safely (Step by Step)
Since the torrent client comes with various security concerns, one needs to take some preventive measures to protect themselves. Here are the three most effective ways to torrent safely on uTorrent:
1. Using a VPN service:
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the most secure software to use on uTorrent. VPNs are known to hide your actual IP address while connecting you to an alternate one and keeping you completely anonymous while downloading torrents . This way, copyright owners can’t locate where you are and also prevent hackers from obtaining any information about you.
VPNs further encrypt your entire traffic so no one can snoop into your activities. This way, your ISPs wouldn’t know that you’re using the internet for torrenting, and throttling your speed would become completely impossible for them.
However, all these features would only be available if you opt for a premium VPN service. Our top recommendation for secure torrenting is ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN – The Best VPN to Use with uTorrent
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for torrenting and the most reliable option for uTorrent. This VPN comes with fantastic torrenting support along with P2P-optimized 3000+ servers .
This VPN further offers great downloading speeds for torrenting. We tested the VPN using its server in the Netherlands, and it delivered an average speed of 70.67 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection, which is amazing. We did not face any lags throughout the entire process .
This VPN is also packed with various security features that are bound to keep user activities private. ExpressVPN’s kill switch doesn’t leak your torrenting activity as it disconnects you from your internet connection in case your VPN connection becomes unstable.
It also comes with a DNS leak protection feature that ensures not to leak your actual IP at all. Along with these features, ExpressVPN offers powerful AES 256-bit encryption, MediaStreamer, no logs, and OpenVPN protocol.
Furthermore, It also offers great p2p support for torrenting with ExpressVPN. The VPN comes with 5 multi-logins and dedicated apps for all popular devices, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Roku, Kodi, and more.
Last but not the least, port forwarding and SOCKS5 support are two advanced torrenting features, and ExpressVPN offers both.
This VPN offers a 49% Off on its annual plan that takes it down to a price of just $6.67/mo - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free. It also offers a 3-month free subscription on the same plan, which makes the package of 15 months while users pay for 12 months only.
Learn more about this amazing VPN in our in-depth ExpressVPN review.
How to use uTorrent with a VPN service:
- First, download uTorrent from its official website.
- Then, subscribe to a reliable VPN for downloading torrents. I highly recommend ExpressVPN.
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Launch the app and connect to a server.
- Once you’re done, you can start torrenting files safely using uTorrent.
2. Using antivirus software:
If you accidentally download a malicious file, an antivirus program will detect it immediately and remove it from your device. Similarly, antivirus software also prevents you from torrenting malware-infected files on your device. This is why you should always use antivirus software while torrenting.
However, a few antiviruses might flag uTorrent as malicious. If you’re sure that you’ve downloaded the VPN client from an authentic source, then you don’t need to worry about the flagging at all.
3. Using the most reliable uTorrent version:
According to various torrent users, uTorrent version 2.2.1 is the best one so far. The version is more secure, fast, lightweight, and has fewer bugs than the rest. Also, it doesn’t have any bundled unwanted programs with its files, which is a win-win.
Is uTorrent Legal?
uTorrent is completely legal as the software doesn’t offer any torrent files itself and is just a P2P client, allowing users to download torrents. However, its legality doesn’t mean that you can download copyrighted content as well .
In case of any copyright infringement, you might get caught by your ISP and some kind of legal action might be taken against you.
Also, since there is a high risk of copyright while downloading movies, music, and video games, you need to be extremely careful while torrenting.
What Are a Few Safety Concerns Revolving Around uTorrent?
There were a few safety concerns about uTorrent that we found over the internet. Let’s check them out below:
- Advertisements: Annoying advertisements are among the most significant complaints of uTorrent users, which is something that is built-in to the torrent client. Many Redditors have even complained about their devices getting infected due to malicious ads. (If you’re looking to avoid ads, then you should switch to qBittorrent, which is an ad-free torrent client).
- Flagged as malware: Another concern is that antiviruses often flag uTorrent as malware or an unwanted program.
- Bloatware: uTorrent installation files are usually bundled up with bloatware. This is one of the reasons why you should always read the entire installation guide and follow the instructions to avoid downloading unwanted software, which can be malicious.
- Cryptominer: uTorrent was caught installing crypto mining software on the user’s devices back in 2015. Since then, many users have stopped considering uTorrent safe and shifted to an alternate client.
Is uTorrent Safe to Use with a Free VPN?
Yes, it is generally safe to use a free VPN for torrenting, and uTorrent can be compatible with such services. Some free VPNs provide anonymity and encryption, bolstering privacy during torrent downloads. Additionally, the best free VPNs for torrenting provide decent speeds and reliable connections, making them suitable for users seeking a cost-effective solution for secure file sharing.
However, free VPNs have limitations, often restricting data, server options, and speed, while some may log activities or show ads for compensation. Choosing a trusted free VPN is crucial, ensuring it prioritizes user privacy and aligns with your uTorrent needs.
Other Related Guides From VPNRanks
- Best torrent sites in USA: Dive into endless downloads with the best torrent sites out there.
- Best VPN for P2P support in USA: Elevate your file sharing experience with a top VPN, designed to support P2P connections effortlessly.
FAQs – Is uTorrent Safe?
Here are a few frequently asked questions answered about the safety of uTorrent:
Is it safe to use uTorrent on Mac?
Yes, uTorrent is safe to use on Mac, but Redditors and multiple torrent fans have mentioned that they prefer using other torrent clients like qBittorrent and Transmission. The reason behind this is that uTorrent comes with intrusive ads and bloatware. One might also end up downloading a malicious file while installing uTorrent on their macOS. Also, malware can immediately result in a data breach, which you definitely wouldn’t want.
Is downloading uTorrent safe?
Yes, it is safe to download uTorrent on your device, but make sure that you download the torrent client from its official website and not any third-party site. Also, do not opt for uTorrent version 3.4.2 as it contains cryptominer.
To ensure safe downloading, use an antivirus to prevent malicious files from getting into your device. Also, to stay anonymous while downloading uTorrent, use a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN.
Can uTorrent cause any harm to my computer?
No, uTorrent cannot cause any harm to your computer unless you download a malicious installer instead of the authentic one. Downloading the torrent client from any other website can result in the device getting infected with malware or injected with cryptominer.
One last thing, uTorrent isn’t a very lightweight software. So, if your device doesn’t have a lot of RAM, then it’s better that you opt for an alternate torrent client for yourself. Otherwise, you might face multiple lags on your device.
Which version of uTorrent is the best?
According to torrent users and Redditors, uTorrent version 2.2.1 is the best one so far. This version excludes all annoying advertisements and bloatware and offers an extremely lightweight application to users.
Conclusion
While this is one popular and feature-rich torrent client, it does come with its security concerns. Therefore, you should either opt for another secure torrent client like qBittorrent or just get the 2.2.1 version of this torrent client.
Also, don’t forget to always be connected to a VPN service and an antivirus while downloading torrents on your device. Both software are crucial for torrenting. A VPN will make your torrenting activities anonymous, while an antivirus will protect you from malware. A reliable VPN will not only bypass geo-restrictions but also protect your online privacy and security while torrenting. For a comprehensive understanding of top VPN services, consider checking out the “Syncthing Review in USA” to make an informed decision about your VPN provider.
If you are still worried about your privacy while torrenting and have a question in mind, Is utorrent safe? So, in this regard we opt for some best free vpns for torrenting, to protect your torrenting activities.
However, you should get the best VPN service for yourself that actually protects your activities online. ExpressVPN is my most recommended choice as a VPN for torrenting .
