uTorrent accused of bundling cryptocurrency malware with popular BitTorrent client
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For years, if you’ve used BitTorrent, you’ve probably used µTorrent to manage and control torrent files. The software is the most popular Torrent client online with an estimated 100 million users, and its valued for its small footprint and rich feature set. µTorrent has been including adware for several years (despite warning people in its install against installations that attempt to charge for the program), but it may have crossed a line this time — numerous users are reporting that installing the program also silently installs an application called Epic Scale.
Epic Scale is shady looking, to say the least. The company website claims a straight link between installing Epic Scale and benefiting charities — literally.
Epic-Scale-Function
The impression the website gives is that by installing this program, you literally donate compute time to charity. It’s like Folding@Home, or SETI, or another equivalent project — right?
Well, no. Not exactly. A little farther down the page, the website notes:
“How is money earned?”
“Solving math problems for weather prediction, physics simulations, cryptography (including cryptocurrency mining) and more has real world value. We solve these problems on behalf of our trusted partners, and donate proceeds to your favorite charities.”
Here’s a hint: The only one of those activities that actually earns any money is cryptocurrency mining, and that’s what Epic Scale does.
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