Xunlei
| File:Xunlei.png | |
| Developer(s) | Thunder Networking Technologies (a.k.a. Xunlei Networking Technologies) |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 5.9.1.922
/ May 25, 2009 |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Available in | Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese |
| Type | Peer-to-peer file sharing |
| License | Adware, Spyware |
| Website | http://www.xunlei.com/ |
Xunlei (Chinese: 迅雷; pinyin: Xùnléi; lit. 'swift thunder') is a popular Chinese download manager and file sharing client that supports BitTorrent, eMule, Kad, and FTP. It is mainly used in the Mainland China and the software is only available in Chinese. The client is developed by Thunder Networking Technologies, a Shenzhen startup formerly known as Sandai Technologies (三代科技). Xunlei comes pre-installed on most PCs in China, including Qinghua Tongfang (清华同方). The software is known to be bundled with viruses and malwares.
They also offer download accelerating services.
Operation Mechanism
Xunlei accelerates downloads by accessing its proprietary P2P network in addition to the given HTTP download. By default it scans the user's computer and automatically shares all files across the Xunlei network, and often exhausts the user's upload bandwidth as it does not provide a real upload speed limiter. The user has no means of limiting what to be shared or not to be shared.[1]
Google Investment
On January 5, 2007, Google acquired a 4% stake for a reported $5 million in the company that developed Xunlei, with hopes of expanding Google's market base in China. Contrary to rumours earlier in the year, Google did not purchase a majority stake in the Chinese company.
Controversial issues
Internet security issue with the software:
Its default search website redirects users to websites containing viruses and trojan horses. The Xunlei software is also bundled with files reported by many antivirus applications as spyware, such as XunLeiBHO_Now.dll.[2]
Advertisement:
The Xunlei interface is bundled with numerous advertisements, including pop-ups and Flash animations. Once clicked, these links often direct users toward harmful websites, infecting one's computers with computer viruses.
Incomplete uninstallation:
The programme does not provide thorough uninstallation. Registry keys and ActiveX contents installed in web browsers such as Internet Explorer would remain after uninstallation. This often leads to system errors afterwards.
See also
References
- ^ "ugmbbc" (2008-02-03). "Beware! Your files are being stolen by Xunlei!". Graphical Technological Analysis (in Chinese). cnBeta.COM. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
- ^ Report on spyware files of Xunlei http://www.precisesecurity.com/files-process/2007/11/08/xunleibho_nowdll/
External links
- Google to invest in Chinese video website - Times - brief report on the Google investment
- How to Block Xunlei - IMFirewall - information of ports used by Xunlei