UTorrent is one of the most popular BitTorrent clients available and although it has been involved in some controversy, it is still widely used thanks to its convenient functionality. Many users raised complaints and questioned the security of the client, following a partnership with Epic Scale, which resulted in a bloatware miner being installed in users’ computers without their authorization.
Epic Scale is a company that makes money from mining cryptocurrency, which is a process that uses your computer’s hardware resources. These programs require a lot of processing power and when users noticed that their CPU and GPU use increased substantially, it didn’t take long for them to find out the reason behind it. The main concern for most people was the fact that they were not given a chance to opt out from installing the Epic Scale program.
Fortunately, in the end, uTorrent not only apologized to users, bit also provided instructions to uninstall the Epic Scale tool and even decided to permanently suspend their partnership with the company. While the incident had an impact on uTorrent’s credibility and prompted many users to chose open source solutions like Transmission instead, uTorrent’s client is one of the favorite options for downloading and sharing files.
Consideration for uTorrent and VPNs
While uTorrent and BitTorrent clients in general can be used for legitimate purposes, the reality is that they are mostly used for accessing copyrighted content. The laws regarding this may vary from one country to another, but in most cases, this activity is illegal. Although VPN providers (or we) don’t condone online piracy, if you want to download copyrighted material using uTorrent, it is advisable to secure your connection with a VPN. Even if you are sharing files that are not subject to copyright, you may prefer to keep them private.
A VPN is an effective technology to protect your data from eavesdropping and spying so others won’t be able to see what you download, what websites you see or anything else you do online. To keep your privacy safe when you are torrenting, choosing a VPN that doesn’t keep logs (zero logs are great but at least they should promise not to keep logs of your online activity) is crucial. It is also important to look for a provider that accepts Bitcoin as method of payment. Also, you should pay attention to the company’s Privacy Policy and Terms, as well as their approach to DMCA requests.
Speed is another key aspect when it comes to downloading content. To get the best possible speeds, it is advisable to connect to a VPN server that is close to your location. Many VPN services give you access to their server statistics so you can check any updates and find a server that is suitable for torrenting. Also, check with the provider as in some cases, they only support torrenting in specific servers. Before going to our list, it should be noted that the providers selected are known for their solid commitment to privacy. However, there is an element of trust required and you will need to rely on your provider’s word. Without further ado, here are the most convenient VPN services to protect your online traffic when you are using uTorrent.
ExpressVPN
Based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN is an excellent option that will not only keep your online data secure but will also allow you to enjoy fantastic downloading speeds. At the moment, they have servers in 87 countries, and their network continues growing. While they keep some connection logs, they don’t monitor or log your online activities. ExpressVPN accepts Bitcoin and has a good record helping users to protect their privacy and its VPN client is one of the best options available.
NordVPN
NordVPN gives you access to an extensive selection of servers and the high level of encryption supported, will keep your data secure. They have servers in 141 countries so no matter where you live, you are likely to find a server that provides optimal speed. They allow torrenting and their client boasts internet kill switch, DNS leak protection and other practical features. No logs of your online activity are kept.
AirVPN
With AirVPN, your online freedom and privacy are secured with advanced technology. They offer fantastic solutions to enhance the protection to your data: VPN over Tor, SSL or SSH tunneling and double-encryption. Although the advanced functionality of their service may be overwhelming for new users with little or no experience with VPNs, AirVPN is one of the most reliable options in the industry. They accept Bitcoin and have servers in over 15 countries.
Private Internet Access
Many people have chosen PIA due to the low prices that the company offers. However, there are many other reasons to opt for this service. They have servers in 24 countries at the moment, but since their network is strategically distributed, you won’t have issues finding an option that suits you. Plus, they have over 3,300 servers available. With PIA, you can enjoy good speeds, a privacy policy that establishes that no activity logs are kept and they also support Bitcoin, as well as gift cards as methods of payment.
Mullvad
Mullvad is a Swedish provider that doesn’t keep any logs and that accepts anonymous payment methods like Bitcoin and cash by posy, keeping your privacy protected. While their network is limited when compared to other options (they only have servers in 4 countries), their strong commitment to privacy and the efficient performance of their service makes them a good choice.
