Remember when uTorrent was great? The upstart BitTorrent client was super lightweight and trounced other popular BitTorrent clients. But that was long ago, before BitTorrent, Inc. Bought uTorrent and crammed it full of crapware and scammy advertisements. Streaming services are gaining ground as one of the most popular ways to enjoy TV shows, music and movies, but torrents still have their place for downloading large files that you want to keep.
This weekend, a notice appeared on Transmissionbt.com warning users that version 2.90 of the popular Mac BitTorrent client downloaded from their site may have been infected with malware. The warning reads:
Everyone running 2.90 on OS X should immediately upgrade to 2.91 or delete their copy of 2.90, as they may have downloaded a malware-infected file.Reuters reports that the infected download contained the first 'Ransomware' found on the Mac platform. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user's hard drive and demands payment in order to unencrypt it. This type of attack has been increasingly popular on the PC, but this is the first time it has been seen on the Mac.
Using “Activity Monitor” preinstalled in OS X, check whether any process named “kernel_service” is running. If so, double check the process, choose the “Open Files and Ports” and check whether there is a file name like “/Users//Library/kernel_service”. If so, the process is KeRanger’s main process. We suggest terminating it with “Quit -> Force Quit”
According to Reuters, Apple is aware of the issue and has already revoked 'a digital certificate from a legitimate Apple developer that enabled the rogue software to install on Macs.'
The malware in question is said to delay encrypting the user's hard drive for 3 days, so we may see the first reports of those affected as early as Monday. Transmissionbt.com offers instructions on how to see you are affected (above). If you don't use the Transmission software, there is nothing you need to do at this time.
Update: Technical details about the malware.
Update 2: Transmissionbt.com says version 2.92 of Transmission will actively remove the malware.
Part One: Top 5 Best Torrent Clients for Mac to Free Download Media Files & Software
1. Transmission
When you ask some advices about torrent app for Mac, about 90% people will recommend Transmission to you at first. Why this open source is so sought-after? Simply, it has many attractive features, for example, easy of use, Mac-like straigtforward interface, free, ad-less, etc. BTW, it is donationware rather than adware so that you will not see any invasive ads or donation request. And you can feel free to check your active/completed downloads, download scheduling, port forwarding, remote management, encryption and other info via Transmission torrent client for Mac.
Note: the latest version of Transmission torrent movie downloader is 2.92 debuted on March 6, 2016. If you still use version 2.90 for Mac, you'd better update to 2.92 since some earlier versions have been found to distribute malware.
2. uTorrent
Actually, this best torrent client for Mac is the most widely used torrent service for the last decade outside China mainly because its size is smaller than a digital photo. That is to say, this best torrenting program is easy to install and download, plus it also can be regarded as a portable downloader as long as you saved uTorrent on a USB stick. In addition, users are allowed to freely sigle out torrents to download on the top right of uTorrent thanks to its built-in search engine. Guide >>> How to Download Movies Using uTorrent
The only drawback of this torrent software Mac is too many advertisings and sneaky installation files (Spigot Toolbar, SearchMe in Safari, Amazon, eBay, etc) in the latest version. Thus, you should be careful in the process of installing or just remove extensions.
3. Vuze
Previously known as Azureus, Vuze offers is a good Mac torrent client and owns a user-friendly wizard interface. In addition to ordinary torrent files download/free movie torrents download, Vuze torrent program for Mac helps users painlessly pick parts from torrent files; send files to divergent target locations; manage torrent downloads from a remote location; directly play the downloaded media files; playback media on devices when connecting to Mac.
Some experienced users said that this torrent app for Mac is much more powerful than the other torrent programs. But, it loses some simplicity for newbie.
4. qBittorrent
Serving as one of the best alternative to uTorrent, this feature-rich best torrent client Mac integrates torrent search engine and media player. And qBittorrent will send you email after finishing the download task if you adjust the settings before downloading. Of course, you can search the downloaded torren files even by category inside of the app. Obviously, it is simple to operate, no spam and no adverts.
As mentioned before, it is functional and full-featured. Accordingly, its interface is clunkier or complicated comparing with Transmission, uTorrent or other torrent download programs.
5. Deluge
Truly, the supported operating system of Deluge includes Windows, Mac and Linux so that you can install this best torrent client 2016 on any computer. Unlike other torrent downloader programs, Deluge's interface looks more like Linux Gnome. What's more, it can effortlessly handle the work of encrypted downloads, private torrents, password protection, 3D torrent download, bandwidth scheduling and throttling, and more.
Some people complain this Mac torrent service is more complex than other Mac torrent clients. But, it supports various plugins which are designed for advanced users and enable people to create their own personalized version of Deluge.
Are torrent downloads legal?
Bit Rocket For Mac
In most countries downloading torrent (App, music, movie, eBooks, TV series and more) from free torrent sites (Torrentz, Kickass, ExtraTorrent, The Pirate Bay, YTS, etc) is strictly banned, while in other contries torrent and BitTorrent technology are completely legal. Therefore, before downloading any torrent file (especially the latest movies, music or television shows) with the aid of the former best torrent client for Mac, you should seriously read your local copyright law to keep you away from copyright infringement.