If we are going to download files from the Internet, we should always do it from trusted websites. This is the only way that the download does not hide malware, for example, and compromise our security. In addition to always searching for trusted websites, it is also recommended to scan your files with an antivirus before opening them on your PC. But what if we could have an additional layer of security built into the very program we use to download? This is what uTorrent offers us.
uTorrent is one of the most popular programs for downloading all kinds of torrent files from the Internet. Although it is true that lately it has lost its essence by including advertising and payment functions, for many it is still the fastest and easiest option to be able to search for and download any file from P2P networks.
In addition to the free version, this program has a more advanced paid version, designed for the most demanding users. In addition to the functions found in the free version, this version allows us to:
- Play content instantly via streaming.
- Convert files to transfer and play them on the mobile.
- Remove all advertising.
- Includes CyberGhost VPN .
And, of course, the paid versions of uTorrent include an antivirus by default, within the program itself, which allows us to guarantee the integrity of the downloads and be sure that no threat is hiding.
To activate this security measure, the first thing we are going to need is to buy the Pro edition of the program. The simplest, which includes this antivirus, is the one that has a price of about 20 euros a year . If we want the VPN version, it will also include the antivirus, but it is more expensive. Once we have the Pro purchased, we install it on the PC and, before using it, we will have to activate the function, since it is deactivated by default. To do this we will go to the Preferences> Anti-Virus section, and we will activate it there.
From now on, before saving a torrent download on your computer, it will be scanned with the built-in antivirus. And if malware is hidden, it will be removed automatically. Or, at least, that is what the company promises, BitTorrent.
Is it worth paying for this?
We do not know exactly how this antivirus works. Nor what engine it uses to search for threats. What is clear is that, if we have an antivirus installed in Windows, such as Windows Defender , it is totally unnecessary for the program to analyze the downloads. The safest thing is that this security software included in uTorrent does not have a high efficiency when it comes to detecting threats, and if we trust it, we can end up infected.
Not only do we think that this feature is not worth it , but we think that it is not worth using this program in any scenario. Today we can find much better alternatives to uTorrent, such as qBittorrent or Transmission, which are not only more secure and private, but also open source, free, and do not hide any type of advertising or adware.