A new version of the popular file sharing application BitTorrent has been released, which the developers claim is the fastest ever.

Web analyst CacheLogic has estimated that 35 per cent of all internet traffic is down to BitTorrent.

Enhanced features of the latest client include a customisable queue style interface so that users can see exactly where they are in the download cycle. It also boasts more download statistics pages.

Disaster recovery has also been improved, with the ability to pick up where you left off if the computer needs to be reset.

There had been fears that development work on the software might slow or stop ever since the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) declared BitTorrent public enemy number one. These have proved unfounded, according to analysts.

"The MPAA took a decision to pursue the weak point in the BitTorrent architecture (i.e. pursuing the most popular trackers) and the developers and user community resisted by looking for methods to work around that, i.e. tracker search sites eXeem etc," said CacheLogic's founder Andrew Parker.

"Every time a weak point in architecture has been exploited by the RIAA/MPAA, a technical solution to work around it has been created. I don't see this trend changing."

BitTorrent works by splitting large files into small packets that can be traded much faster than traditional peer-to-peer systems. It is primarily used to share media files.

BitTorrent is available for download here.