EpicScale

Epic Scale is a cryptocurrency miner, that is a program that is used to mine BitCoin and other cryptocurrencies using the affected computer's resources. Epic Scale will slow down a computer, lower its lifespan, and increase its power consumption, all to generate revenue for a third-party. Epic Scale has made the news in recent days because computer users have complained that Epic Scale is being bundled with uTorrent, one of the most popular Bittorrent clients.

Epic Scale is being Bundled with uTorrent

One of the main ways in which PUPs, or Potentially Unwanted Programs are distributed is by bundling them with legitimate software. However, computer users may have the option to opt out of installing a PUP, even if that option is convoluted or hidden. In recent weeks, computer users have complained that uTorrent, one of the most popular BitTorrent clients is installing Epic Scale silently, without allowing them to opt out. There are more than 150 million active users each month of this BitTorrent client, by far the most popular client available today. Because of this, the potential revenue is staggering.

uTorrent may generate revenue using advertising and presenting computer users with special offers to try out other software or installing PUPs. However, these offers require the computer user's consent. This is where Epic Scale is different from the other offers. Computer users have not only complained of Epic Scale being installed silently, but also about the problem of removing Epic Scale, which may be quite problematic for many computer users.

Epic Scale generates revenue by mining cryptocurrencies, which is done by solving difficult algorithms that require quite a bit of processing power. Epic Scale uses the host computer's CPU and GPU cycles to solve these, significantly affecting performance. Epic Scale was already being bundled with uTorrent. The main complaint now is that Epic Scale is being bundled without notifying computer users, resulting in significant performance issues.

Computer Users Have Numerous Complains about Epic Scale

There are many common complaints about Epic Scale and other cryptocurrency miners. Epic Scale is installed without notification, silently during uTorrent installation and upgrade to the latest version. Computer users have noted that once installed, Epic Scale causes the infected computer to run at full capacity, reaching the point of overheating in some cases. When complaints were taken to uTorrent forums, these issues were ignored, deleted by moderators. Other issues include the appearance of an E icon, constant error messages claiming that Epic Scale 'Could not connect to server' and lag in performance. PC security researchers suspect that a mistake was made in the inclusion of Epic Scale in the uTorent installer. Epic Scale's developers are currently investigating the issue and are offering computer users assistance and a $20 Amazon gift card in exchange for additional details on the problem.

Epic Scale is not threatening by itself. Epic Scale is classified as a PUP or Potentially Unwanted Program, and is used to generate revenue through cryptocurrency mining as a way for freeware developers to finance their software. The silent installation of Epic Scale does not happen on all computers; it happens selectively and not every time.

Torrents, PUPs and Risk for Threats are some Consequences of Epic Scale

BitTorrent may be used for distributing illicit media, software and games. File sharing networks that deal with this kind of material may contain threats and PUPs much worse than any problems associated with Epic Scale. Because of this, computer users would do well in avoiding uTorrent and other BitTorrent clients unless they are using these programs for their intended purpose, the easy transfer and distribution of large files through this particular protocol. While Epic Scale may be a risk, a greater risk is posed by fake downloads that may be present in these file sharing networks.