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μTorrent

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μTorrent
Original author(s)Ludvig Strigeus
Developer(s)Rainberry, Inc.
Initial releaseSeptember 18, 2005;18 years ago(2005-09-18)
Stable release(s)
Windows3.6.0.47006[1]Edit this on Wikidata/ 11 January 2024;6 months ago(11 January 2024)
macOS1.8.7.45548[2]Edit this on Wikidata/ 30 January 2020;4 years ago(30 January 2020)
Android8.2.2[3]Edit this on Wikidata/ 21 March 2024;4 months ago(21 March 2024)
Preview release(s)[±]
3.6.0 Beta (build 46588) (14 November 2022;20 months ago(2022-11-14))[±][4]
Written inC++[5]
Operating systemAndroid,[6]Linux(Server version only, only officially supports very old versions ofDebianandUbuntu),[7]Microsoft Windows,[8]macOS[9]
Available in60+ languages
TypeBitTorrent client
LicenseAdware
Websitewww.utorrent

μTorrent,oruTorrent(seepronunciation), is aproprietaryadwareBitTorrent clientowned and developed byRainberry, Inc.[10]The "μ"(Greek letter"mu") in its name comes from theSI prefix"micro-",referring to the program's smallmemory footprint:the program was designed to use minimal computer resources while offering functionality comparable to larger BitTorrent clients such asVuzeorBitComet.μTorrent became controversial in 2015 when many users unknowingly accepted a default option during installation which also installed acryptocurrency miner.[11]

The program has been in active development since its first release in 2005. Although originally developed byLudvig Strigeus,since December 7, 2006, the code is owned and maintained byBitTorrent, Inc.[12]The code has also been employed by BitTorrent, Inc. as the basis for version 6.0 and above of theBitTorrent client,a re-branded version of μTorrent. All versions are written inC++.[5]

History

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Early development

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Out of general discontent withbloatware,Serge Paquet suggested toLudvig Strigeusthat he should make a smaller and more efficient BitTorrent client. Strigeus began to conceptualize the plans for the program's development, which, at the time, did not include making the client feature-rich. After initially working on it for about a month during the last quarter of 2004 (the first build is dated October 17, 2004), mostly during his free time before and after work, Strigeus ceased coding μTorrent for a year. He resumed work on September 15, 2005, and three days later, the first public release (version 1.1 beta) was made available asfree software,and began generating feedback.

PeerFactor SARL

[edit]

On March 4, 2006, PeerFactor SARL announced the signing of a six-month contract with Strigeus for the development of "new content distribution applications on the Web."[13]PeerFactor SARL is a relatively new company formed by former employees of PeerFactor, which was a subsidiary of the French anti-piracy organizationRetspan.

Ludde stated that his coding for PeerFactor SARL was to use his expertise in the optimization of the BitTorrentprotocolto create a.dllwhich PeerFactor SARL intended to use as part of a distribution platform for files in a corporate setting.[14]At the time there was some speculation that μTorrent may have been modified to spy on users on Peerfactor's behalf,[13][15]however to date (even following μTorrent's acquisition by BitTorrent, Inc.) no evidence has been produced to support these allegations.

Ownership change

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On December 7, 2006, μTorrent was purchased byBitTorrent, Inc.[12]It was later announced that BitTorrent paid an undisclosed amount toSpotifyfor this purchase, the then owner of the software.[16]

On September 18, 2007,BitTorrent6.0 was released. Although previous versions of the BitTorrent client had beenopen source software,with version 6 it became proprietary.

In April 2017, BitTorrent founderBram Cohenannounced that the next version of μTorrent would beweb browserbased. This μTorrent version allows users to stream torrents from the default web browser, similar to a regularstreaming site.[17]

Features

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Features present in μTorrent include:

Size

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μTorrent is shipped as a single stand-alonecompressed executablefile, installed at first run. Recent versions have included the ability to install themselves on first run. Small executable size is achieved by avoiding the use of manylibraries,notably theC++ standard libraryandstream facilities,and creating substitutes written specifically for the program. The executable is then compressed to roughly half of its compiled and linked size usingUPX.

Operating system support

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Screenshot of the macOS version of μTorrent (up to 0.9.2)
Screenshot of μTorrent Server viewed in Firefox

μTorrent is available forMicrosoft Windows,macOS,andAndroid.[6][27]AμTorrent Serveris also available forLinux.[28]

The first test version for macOS, running onMac OS X Leopard,was released on 27 November 2008.[29]

On September 2, 2010, the nativeLinuxversion of μTorrent Server was released. Firon, an administrator of the μTorrent community forum, said that they had been working on this project for a few months prior to the release as it was the most requested feature for some time. This release is intended for users who are seeking a fastcommand-line interfacebasedBitTorrentclient with a remote web-based management. They also mentioned that a full featured client with aGUIis a work in progress.[30]

As of 2020, μTorrent server for Linux supportsDebian6.0 or later andUbuntu12 or later, with both 32-bit & 64-bit options available.[31]

On August 1, 2019, μTorrent announced that users who upgrade toMac OS Catalinawill be upgraded to μTorrent web automatically since that version of MacOS (and subsequent releases) supports 64-bit applications only.[32]

Currently, μTorrent supportsWindows XPor later,Mac OS X Snow Leopardor later, andAndroid5.0 or later.[27]

Revenue

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In early versions, Strigeus had built in a web redirection via nanotorrent for search queries entered through the search bar that displayed advertisements in a frame on the web browser. Some users thought this suspicious because tracking could be implemented by recording theIP addressesof those downloading/receiving the advertisements, and the search functionality could easily be used to track user queries through whichever web interface the client is going through to execute the search. After a short trial period, the advertising was disabled, mitigating possible concerns.[33]

A later version of the software has, instead of ads, a "search all sites" feature, which is a keyword-based search bar that delivers listings of torrent files at differenttrackers.A frame at the top displays advertisements (server-side) in the browser when the search function is used. In version 1.5, no ads are present in the program itself.

As of build 463, a redirect bypass feature became available in the Advanced options.

As of version 1.8.2, the μTorrent installer gives the user the option to download and install theAsk toolbar.This is done on the first run of the program and the user may explicitly opt out of this feature by deselecting it.[34][35]The developers stated the addition was needed for funds to continue development. In late 2010, this was replaced with theConduit Engine.

Currently, μTorrent generates revenue through in-content advertisements (in the free version for Windows) and the "pro" version, which is available in 3 bundles (available for both classic & web client for Windows).[36]

Toolbars

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In late 2010, some controversy arose with the release of μTorrent which includedadwarein the form of theConduitEngine, which installed a toolbar, and made homepage and default search engine changes to a user's web browser. A number of users reported that the installation was made without the user's consent.[37]There were some complaints that the adware software was difficult to remove.[38] In 2011, μTorrent bundled theBing Toolbar.[39]

[edit]

On July 15, 2011, BitTorrent announced that they would offer a paid version of μTorrent called "μTorrent Plus". This new version would offer extra features, such as integrated file conversion, anti-virus, and a built-in media player.[40]On 6 October 2011, thePre- Alphaof μTorrent Plus was released to an invitation-only community.[41]As of December 2011, μTorrentPlus 3.1 was available for $24.95; as of December 2014, the Plus version was available as a $19.95 yearly subscription.

Ads and malware

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In August 2012, BitTorrent announced the addition ofadvertisingin the free version of μTorrent which could be individually dismissed by users.[42]Due to response from users, a few days later, the company stated that ads could be optionally turned off.[43]A user-created tool known as "Pimp My μTorrent" was also created to simplify the process of disabling ads in the Windows version.[44]Starting with μTorrent version 3.2.2, the software also contains in-content advertisements described as "Featured Torrent".[45]As with ads, it is possible to disable this content.[45]

In March 2015, it was alleged that μTorrent had automatically installed a program known as Epic Scale: a program classified as "riskware"by some security programs, which mines thecryptocurrencyLitecoinin the background for BitTorrent, Inc. (allegedly giving a portion to charity[46]), utilizingCPUandGPUpower. A μTorrent developer disputed the claim that it was automatically installed and claimed that as with all other "partner" programs bundled with the software, users could decline the installation.[47][48][49]On 28 March, Epic Scale was permanently removed from the installation and as a software bundle partner.[50]

In 2018, advertisements forYandex Browserand other Yandex-produced software were included in Russian and Ukrainian versions of μTorrent.[51]

Pronunciation

[edit]

An admin on the μTorrent forums wrote in 2005, "I don't really know how it's pronounced......I usually say 'you torrent' because it looks like a u", while stating they were not sure, they also mentioned the correct pronunciations for "μTorrent" "microtorrent", "mytorrent" (as "my"[myː]is the Swedish pronunciation of the Greek letter μ) and "mutorrent".[52]In Greece, where the software is widely used, it is called 'me torrent',[citation needed]since the letter μ of the Greek Alphabet is pronounced [mi] in modern Greek.[53] The symbol μ is the lowercaseGreeklettermu,which stands for theSI prefix"micro-".It refers to the program's originally small footprint.

Contributors

[edit]

The original development was performed byLudvig Strigeus( "ludde", fromSweden), the creator of μTorrent. Serge Paquet ( "vurlix", fromCanada) acted as release coordinator, and had intended to work on Linux and macOS ports. He maintained the μTorrent website and forum up until the end of 2005 but is no longer affiliated with μTorrent.

Since its purchase in 2006, development has been performed by various employees of Bittorrent Inc. Strigeus is no longer affiliated.

Reception

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μTorrent has been praised for its small size and minimal computer resources used, which set it apart from other clients.PC Magazinestated that it "packs an outstanding array of features" in 2006[54]and listed it in their 2008 "Best free 157 software tools".[55]It was also inPC World's "101 Fantastic freebies".[56]The websiteTorrentFreaksaid it was the most feature rich BitTorrent client available,[57]later summarizing a 2009University of California, Riversidestudy[58]which concluded that "μTorrent Download Speeds Beat Vuze By 16%" on average and "on 10% of [the 30 most used] ISPs, μTorrent users were downloading 30% faster than Vuze users".[59]Aboutsaid it was the best BitTorrent client available, citing its small size and "minimal impact to the rest of your computer's speed."[60]Wiredsaid its "memory footprint is also ridiculously small".[61]PC & Tech Authoritymagazine (Australia) gave it 6 stars (out of 6).[62]Lifehackerrated it the best BitTorrent client available (Windows) in 2008,[63]2011 (Windows[64]and Mac[65]) and a follow-up user poll rated it the most popular torrent client in 2015.[66]CNETgave it 5 stars (of 5) saying it features "light and quick downloading".[67]

In November 2009, 52 million users were reported to be using the application,[68]and in late 2011, 132 million.[69]

According to a study byArbor Networks,the 2008 adoption ofIPv6by μTorrent caused a 15-fold increase in IPv6 traffic across the Internet over a ten-month period.[70]

See also

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References

[edit]
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