Free uTorrent Download Software Flagged By Google Chrome's Malware Detection: Report

Some Google Chrome users trying to access the uTorrent software are being warned that the download service contains “harmful programs.” Chrome appears to have flagged the program, which is commonly associated with illegal torrent downloads, as malicious and prevents the download.

The uTorrent software, owned by BitTorrent Inc., claims to have attracted more than 130 million users who use the bit torrent protocol to download anything – from academic articles to illegally uploaded movies and TV shows. But the service has also been flagged by malware scanners. Google Chrome, ESET, Symantec and other anti-virus programs are now warning users to avoid visiting certain sections of the uTorrent website and asking them to reconsider before downloading.

A Google spokesperson told TorrentFreak that blacklisting uTorrent is part of the company's renewed focus on blocking software that makes “unexpected changes” to users' computers. TorrentFreak, a trusted piracy news site, speculated that uTorrent caught Chrome's attention because of third party software that's included in the download bundle. This report comes after Kickass Torrents and ExtraTorrent users complained that Google Chrome blocked those sites with similar malware warnings.

“We recently expanded our efforts in Chrome, Search and ads to keep you safer from sites where these nefarious downloads are available,” Google explained in its Online Security blog post earlier this year. “If you're a site owner, we recommend that you register your site with Google Webmaster Tools. This will help you stay informed when we find something on your sites that leads people to download unwanted software, and will provide you with helpful tips to resolve such issues.”