diff --git a/src/libs/ssh/sftpfilesystemmodel.cpp b/src/libs/ssh/sftpfilesystemmodel.cpp
index 6d24c1b8c62..da1abde70bf 100644
--- a/src/libs/ssh/sftpfilesystemmodel.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/ssh/sftpfilesystemmodel.cpp
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ SftpDirNode *indexToDirNode(const QModelIndex &index)
 class SftpFileSystemModelPrivate
 {
 public:
-    SshConnection::Ptr sshConnection;
+    SshConnection *sshConnection;
     SftpChannel::Ptr sftpChannel;
     QString rootDirectory;
     SftpFileNode *rootNode;
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ using namespace Internal;
 SftpFileSystemModel::SftpFileSystemModel(QObject *parent)
     : QAbstractItemModel(parent), d(new SftpFileSystemModelPrivate)
 {
+    d->sshConnection = 0;
     d->rootDirectory = QLatin1String("/");
     d->rootNode = 0;
     d->statJobId = SftpInvalidJob;
@@ -116,13 +117,12 @@ void SftpFileSystemModel::setSshConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &sshPar
 {
     QSSH_ASSERT_AND_RETURN(!d->sshConnection);
     d->sshConnection = SshConnectionManager::instance().acquireConnection(sshParams);
-    connect(d->sshConnection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
-        SLOT(handleSshConnectionFailure()));
+    connect(d->sshConnection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleSshConnectionFailure()));
     if (d->sshConnection->state() == SshConnection::Connected) {
         handleSshConnectionEstablished();
         return;
     }
-    connect(d->sshConnection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleSshConnectionEstablished()));
+    connect(d->sshConnection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleSshConnectionEstablished()));
     if (d->sshConnection->state() == SshConnection::Unconnected)
         d->sshConnection->connectToHost();
 }
@@ -269,9 +269,9 @@ void SftpFileSystemModel::shutDown()
         d->sftpChannel.clear();
     }
     if (d->sshConnection) {
-        disconnect(d->sshConnection.data(), 0, this, 0);
+        disconnect(d->sshConnection, 0, this, 0);
         SshConnectionManager::instance().releaseConnection(d->sshConnection);
-        d->sshConnection.clear();
+        d->sshConnection = 0;
     }
     delete d->rootNode;
     d->rootNode = 0;
diff --git a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.cpp b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.cpp
index a9ee712ec5d..2c3908920f8 100644
--- a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.cpp
@@ -107,12 +107,6 @@ bool operator!=(const SshConnectionParameters &p1, const SshConnectionParameters
 
 // TODO: Mechanism for checking the host key. First connection to host: save, later: compare
 
-SshConnection::Ptr SshConnection::create(const SshConnectionParameters &serverInfo)
-{
-    doStaticInitializationsIfNecessary();
-    return Ptr(new SshConnection(serverInfo));
-}
-
 SshConnection::SshConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &serverInfo)
     : d(new Internal::SshConnectionPrivate(this, serverInfo))
 {
@@ -208,6 +202,8 @@ SshConnectionPrivate::SshConnectionPrivate(SshConnection *conn,
       m_connParams(serverInfo), m_error(SshNoError), m_ignoreNextPacket(false),
       m_conn(conn)
 {
+    doStaticInitializationsIfNecessary();
+
     setupPacketHandlers();
     m_socket->setProxy(m_connParams.proxyType == SshConnectionParameters::DefaultProxy
         ? QNetworkProxy::DefaultProxy : QNetworkProxy::NoProxy);
diff --git a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.h b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.h
index b631c3e7073..c6a2fbc8d93 100644
--- a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.h
+++ b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnection.h
@@ -90,9 +90,8 @@ class QSSH_EXPORT SshConnection : public QObject
 
 public:
     enum State { Unconnected, Connecting, Connected };
-    typedef QSharedPointer<SshConnection> Ptr;
 
-    static Ptr create(const SshConnectionParameters &serverInfo);
+    SshConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &serverInfo);
 
     void connectToHost();
     void disconnectFromHost();
@@ -114,8 +113,6 @@ signals:
     void error(QSsh::SshError);
 
 private:
-    SshConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &serverInfo);
-
     Internal::SshConnectionPrivate *d;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnectionmanager.cpp b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnectionmanager.cpp
index 2f5167a0481..46b37ef2147 100644
--- a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnectionmanager.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnectionmanager.cpp
@@ -62,12 +62,23 @@ public:
         moveToThread(QCoreApplication::instance()->thread());
     }
 
-    QSharedPointer<SshConnection> acquireConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &sshParams)
+    ~SshConnectionManagerPrivate()
+    {
+        foreach (SshConnection * const connection, m_unacquiredConnections) {
+            disconnect(connection, 0, this, 0);
+            delete connection;
+        }
+
+        QSSH_ASSERT(m_acquiredConnections.isEmpty());
+        QSSH_ASSERT(m_deprecatedConnections.isEmpty());
+    }
+
+    SshConnection *acquireConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &sshParams)
     {
         QMutexLocker locker(&m_listMutex);
 
         // Check in-use connections:
-        foreach (SshConnection::Ptr connection, m_acquiredConnections) {
+        foreach (SshConnection * const connection, m_acquiredConnections) {
             if (connection->connectionParameters() != sshParams)
                 continue;
 
@@ -82,7 +93,7 @@ public:
         }
 
         // Checked cached open connections:
-        foreach (SshConnection::Ptr connection, m_unacquiredConnections) {
+        foreach (SshConnection * const connection, m_unacquiredConnections) {
             if (connection->state() != SshConnection::Connected
                     || connection->connectionParameters() != sshParams)
                 continue;
@@ -90,7 +101,7 @@ public:
             if (connection->thread() != QThread::currentThread()) {
                 QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "switchToCallerThread",
                     Qt::BlockingQueuedConnection,
-                    Q_ARG(SshConnection *, connection.data()),
+                    Q_ARG(SshConnection *, connection),
                     Q_ARG(QObject *, QThread::currentThread()));
             }
 
@@ -100,35 +111,50 @@ public:
         }
 
         // create a new connection:
-        SshConnection::Ptr connection = SshConnection::create(sshParams);
-        connect(connection.data(), SIGNAL(disconnected()), this, SLOT(cleanup()));
+        SshConnection * const connection = new SshConnection(sshParams);
+        connect(connection, SIGNAL(disconnected()), this, SLOT(cleanup()));
         m_acquiredConnections.append(connection);
 
         return connection;
     }
 
-    void releaseConnection(const SshConnection::Ptr &connection)
+    void releaseConnection(SshConnection *connection)
     {
         QMutexLocker locker(&m_listMutex);
 
-        m_acquiredConnections.removeOne(connection);
-        if (!m_acquiredConnections.contains(connection)) {
-            // no longer in use:
-            connection->moveToThread(QCoreApplication::instance()->thread());
-            if (m_deprecatedConnections.contains(connection))
-                m_deprecatedConnections.removeAll(connection);
-            else if (connection->state() == SshConnection::Connected) {
-                // Make sure to only keep one connection open
-                bool haveConnection = false;
-                foreach (SshConnection::Ptr conn, m_unacquiredConnections) {
-                    if (conn->connectionParameters() == connection->connectionParameters()) {
-                        haveConnection = true;
-                        break;
-                    }
+        const bool wasAquired = m_acquiredConnections.removeOne(connection);
+        QSSH_ASSERT_AND_RETURN(wasAquired);
+        if (m_acquiredConnections.contains(connection))
+            return;
+
+        bool doDelete = false;
+        connection->moveToThread(QCoreApplication::instance()->thread());
+        if (m_deprecatedConnections.removeOne(connection)
+                || connection->state() != SshConnection::Connected) {
+            doDelete = true;
+        } else {
+            QSSH_ASSERT_AND_RETURN(!m_unacquiredConnections.contains(connection));
+
+            // It can happen that two or more connections with the same parameters were acquired
+            // if the clients were running in different threads. Only keep one of them in
+            // such a case.
+            bool haveConnection = false;
+            foreach (SshConnection * const conn, m_unacquiredConnections) {
+                if (conn->connectionParameters() == connection->connectionParameters()) {
+                    haveConnection = true;
+                    break;
                 }
-                if (!haveConnection)
-                    m_unacquiredConnections.append(connection);
             }
+            if (!haveConnection)
+                m_unacquiredConnections.append(connection);
+            else
+                doDelete = true;
+        }
+
+        if (doDelete) {
+            disconnect(connection, 0, this, 0);
+            m_deprecatedConnections.removeAll(connection);
+            delete connection;
         }
     }
 
@@ -136,25 +162,22 @@ public:
     {
         QMutexLocker locker(&m_listMutex);
 
-        SshConnection::Ptr toReset;
-        foreach (SshConnection::Ptr connection, m_unacquiredConnections) {
+        for (int i = 0; i < m_unacquiredConnections.count(); ++i) {
+            SshConnection * const connection = m_unacquiredConnections.at(i);
             if (connection->connectionParameters() == sshParams) {
-                toReset = connection;
+                disconnect(connection, 0, this, 0);
+                delete connection;
+                m_unacquiredConnections.removeAt(i);
                 break;
             }
         }
 
-        if (toReset.isNull()) {
-            foreach (SshConnection::Ptr connection, m_acquiredConnections) {
-                if (connection->connectionParameters() == sshParams) {
-                    toReset = connection;
-                    break;
-                }
+        foreach (SshConnection * const connection, m_acquiredConnections) {
+            if (connection->connectionParameters() == sshParams) {
+                if (!m_deprecatedConnections.contains(connection))
+                    m_deprecatedConnections.append(connection);
             }
         }
-
-        if (!toReset.isNull() && !m_deprecatedConnections.contains(toReset))
-            m_deprecatedConnections.append(toReset);
     }
 
 private:
@@ -172,9 +195,9 @@ private slots:
         if (!currentConnection)
             return;
 
-        for (int i = m_unacquiredConnections.count() - 1; i >= 0; --i) {
-            if (m_unacquiredConnections.at(i) == currentConnection)
-                m_unacquiredConnections.removeAt(i);
+        if (m_unacquiredConnections.removeOne(currentConnection)) {
+            disconnect(currentConnection, 0, this, 0);
+            currentConnection->deleteLater();
         }
     }
 
@@ -182,9 +205,12 @@ private:
     // We expect the number of concurrently open connections to be small.
     // If that turns out to not be the case, we can still use a data
     // structure with faster access.
-    QList<SshConnection::Ptr> m_unacquiredConnections;
-    QList<SshConnection::Ptr> m_acquiredConnections;
-    QList<SshConnection::Ptr> m_deprecatedConnections;
+    QList<SshConnection *> m_unacquiredConnections;
+
+    // Can contain the same connection more than once; this acts as a reference count.
+    QList<SshConnection *> m_acquiredConnections;
+
+    QList<SshConnection *> m_deprecatedConnections;
     QMutex m_listMutex;
 };
 
@@ -207,12 +233,12 @@ SshConnectionManager::~SshConnectionManager()
 {
 }
 
-SshConnection::Ptr SshConnectionManager::acquireConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &sshParams)
+SshConnection *SshConnectionManager::acquireConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &sshParams)
 {
     return d->acquireConnection(sshParams);
 }
 
-void SshConnectionManager::releaseConnection(const SshConnection::Ptr &connection)
+void SshConnectionManager::releaseConnection(SshConnection *connection)
 {
     d->releaseConnection(connection);
 }
diff --git a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnectionmanager.h b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnectionmanager.h
index f6f7c39228c..e8823df6eb7 100644
--- a/src/libs/ssh/sshconnectionmanager.h
+++ b/src/libs/ssh/sshconnectionmanager.h
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@
 #include "ssh_global.h"
 
 #include <QScopedPointer>
-#include <QSharedPointer>
 
 namespace QSsh {
 class SshConnection;
@@ -49,8 +48,8 @@ class QSSH_EXPORT SshConnectionManager
 public:
     static SshConnectionManager &instance();
 
-    QSharedPointer<SshConnection> acquireConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &sshParams);
-    void releaseConnection(const QSharedPointer<SshConnection> &connection);
+    SshConnection *acquireConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &sshParams);
+    void releaseConnection(SshConnection *connection);
     // Make sure the next acquireConnection with the given parameters will return a new connection.
     void forceNewConnection(const SshConnectionParameters &sshParams);
 
diff --git a/src/libs/ssh/sshremoteprocessrunner.cpp b/src/libs/ssh/sshremoteprocessrunner.cpp
index 5af53eab4c7..ae416621272 100644
--- a/src/libs/ssh/sshremoteprocessrunner.cpp
+++ b/src/libs/ssh/sshremoteprocessrunner.cpp
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public:
     SshRemoteProcessRunnerPrivate() : m_state(Inactive) {}
 
     SshRemoteProcess::Ptr m_process;
-    SshConnection::Ptr m_connection;
+    SshConnection *m_connection;
     bool m_runInTerminal;
     SshPseudoTerminal m_terminal;
     QByteArray m_command;
@@ -112,13 +112,13 @@ void SshRemoteProcessRunner::runInternal(const QByteArray &command,
     d->m_exitCode = -1;
     d->m_command = command;
     d->m_connection = SshConnectionManager::instance().acquireConnection(sshParams);
-    connect(d->m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
+    connect(d->m_connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
         SLOT(handleConnectionError(QSsh::SshError)));
-    connect(d->m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(disconnected()), SLOT(handleDisconnected()));
+    connect(d->m_connection, SIGNAL(disconnected()), SLOT(handleDisconnected()));
     if (d->m_connection->state() == SshConnection::Connected) {
         handleConnected();
     } else {
-        connect(d->m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
+        connect(d->m_connection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
         if (d->m_connection->state() == SshConnection::Unconnected)
             d->m_connection->connectToHost();
     }
@@ -208,9 +208,9 @@ void SshRemoteProcessRunner::setState(int newState)
             d->m_process.clear();
         }
         if (d->m_connection) {
-            disconnect(d->m_connection.data(), 0, this, 0);
+            disconnect(d->m_connection, 0, this, 0);
             SshConnectionManager::instance().releaseConnection(d->m_connection);
-            d->m_connection.clear();
+            d->m_connection = 0;
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/gdb/remotegdbprocess.cpp b/src/plugins/debugger/gdb/remotegdbprocess.cpp
index a5e53ddd9f1..890bdf8cc19 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/gdb/remotegdbprocess.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/gdb/remotegdbprocess.cpp
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ namespace Internal {
 
 RemoteGdbProcess::RemoteGdbProcess(const QSsh::SshConnectionParameters &connParams,
     RemotePlainGdbAdapter *adapter, QObject *parent)
-    : AbstractGdbProcess(parent), m_connParams(connParams),
+    : AbstractGdbProcess(parent), m_connParams(connParams), m_conn(0),
       m_state(Inactive), m_adapter(adapter)
 {
 }
@@ -93,12 +93,11 @@ void RemoteGdbProcess::realStart(const QString &cmd, const QStringList &args,
     m_errorOutput.clear();
     m_inputToSend.clear();
     m_conn = SshConnectionManager::instance().acquireConnection(m_connParams);
-    connect(m_conn.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), this,
-        SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
+    connect(m_conn, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), this, SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
     if (m_conn->state() == SshConnection::Connected) {
         handleConnected();
     } else {
-        connect(m_conn.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), this, SLOT(handleConnected()));
+        connect(m_conn, SIGNAL(connected()), this, SLOT(handleConnected()));
         if (m_conn->state() == SshConnection::Unconnected)
             m_conn->connectToHost();
     }
@@ -397,9 +396,9 @@ void RemoteGdbProcess::setState(State newState)
             disconnect(m_fifoCreator.data(), 0, this, 0);
             m_fifoCreator = QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr();
         }
-        disconnect(m_conn.data(), 0, this, 0);
+        disconnect(m_conn, 0, this, 0);
         SshConnectionManager::instance().releaseConnection(m_conn);
-        m_conn.clear();
+        m_conn = 0;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/gdb/remotegdbprocess.h b/src/plugins/debugger/gdb/remotegdbprocess.h
index 8dba88e1917..8425a02f766 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/gdb/remotegdbprocess.h
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/gdb/remotegdbprocess.h
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ private:
     void setState(State newState);
 
     QSsh::SshConnectionParameters m_connParams;
-    QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr m_conn;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_conn;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr m_gdbProc;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr m_appOutputReader;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr m_fifoCreator;
diff --git a/src/plugins/madde/maddedevicetester.cpp b/src/plugins/madde/maddedevicetester.cpp
index 7a8ba98549d..8c614354253 100644
--- a/src/plugins/madde/maddedevicetester.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/madde/maddedevicetester.cpp
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ void MaddeDeviceTester::handleGenericTestFinished(TestResult result)
     m_stdout.clear();
     m_stderr.clear();
     m_state = QtTest;
-    m_processRunner->run(qtInfoCmd.toUtf8(), m_genericTester->connection()->connectionParameters());
+    m_processRunner->run(qtInfoCmd.toUtf8(), m_deviceConfiguration->sshParameters());
 }
 
 void MaddeDeviceTester::handleConnectionError()
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ void MaddeDeviceTester::handleQtTestFinished(int exitStatus)
     emit progressMessage(tr("Checking for connectivity support..."));
     m_state = MadDeveloperTest;
     m_processRunner->run(QString(QLatin1String("test -x") + MaemoGlobal::devrootshPath()).toUtf8(),
-        m_genericTester->connection()->connectionParameters());
+        m_deviceConfiguration->sshParameters());
 }
 
 void MaddeDeviceTester::handleMadDeveloperTestFinished(int exitStatus)
@@ -233,8 +233,7 @@ void MaddeDeviceTester::handleMadDeveloperTestFinished(int exitStatus)
     emit progressMessage(tr("Checking for QML tooling support..."));
     m_state = QmlToolingTest;
     m_processRunner->run(QString(QLatin1String("test -d ")
-        + QLatin1String(QmlToolingDirectory)).toUtf8(),
-        m_genericTester->connection()->connectionParameters());
+        + QLatin1String(QmlToolingDirectory)).toUtf8(), m_deviceConfiguration->sshParameters());
 }
 
 void MaddeDeviceTester::handleQmlToolingTestFinished(int exitStatus)
diff --git a/src/plugins/madde/maemodeploymentmounter.cpp b/src/plugins/madde/maemodeploymentmounter.cpp
index 94a42e14b27..139bac76bcb 100644
--- a/src/plugins/madde/maemodeploymentmounter.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/madde/maemodeploymentmounter.cpp
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ MaemoDeploymentMounter::MaemoDeploymentMounter(QObject *parent)
 
 MaemoDeploymentMounter::~MaemoDeploymentMounter() {}
 
-void MaemoDeploymentMounter::setupMounts(const SshConnection::Ptr &connection,
+void MaemoDeploymentMounter::setupMounts(SshConnection *connection,
     const LinuxDeviceConfiguration::ConstPtr &devConf,
     const QList<MaemoMountSpecification> &mountSpecs,
     const Qt4BuildConfiguration *bc)
@@ -82,8 +82,7 @@ void MaemoDeploymentMounter::setupMounts(const SshConnection::Ptr &connection,
     m_devConf = devConf;
     m_mounter->setConnection(m_connection, m_devConf);
     m_buildConfig = bc;
-    connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
-        SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
+    connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
     setState(UnmountingOldDirs);
     unmount();
 }
@@ -205,8 +204,8 @@ void MaemoDeploymentMounter::setState(State newState)
     if (m_state == newState)
         return;
     if (newState == Inactive && m_connection) {
-        disconnect(m_connection.data(), 0, this, 0);
-        m_connection.clear();
+        disconnect(m_connection, 0, this, 0);
+        m_connection = 0;
     }
     m_state = newState;
 }
diff --git a/src/plugins/madde/maemodeploymentmounter.h b/src/plugins/madde/maemodeploymentmounter.h
index 57e9320801f..71723cf9f01 100644
--- a/src/plugins/madde/maemodeploymentmounter.h
+++ b/src/plugins/madde/maemodeploymentmounter.h
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public:
     ~MaemoDeploymentMounter();
 
     // Connection must be in connected state.
-    void setupMounts(const QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> &connection,
+    void setupMounts(QSsh::SshConnection *connection,
         const QSharedPointer<const RemoteLinux::LinuxDeviceConfiguration> &devConf,
         const QList<MaemoMountSpecification> &mountSpecs,
         const Qt4ProjectManager::Qt4BuildConfiguration *bc);
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ private:
     void setState(State newState);
 
     State m_state;
-    QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> m_connection;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_connection;
     QSharedPointer<const RemoteLinux::LinuxDeviceConfiguration> m_devConf;
     MaemoRemoteMounter * const m_mounter;
     RemoteLinux::RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer * const m_portsGatherer;
diff --git a/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotecopyfacility.cpp b/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotecopyfacility.cpp
index 3a267e591c7..d715f2c590e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotecopyfacility.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotecopyfacility.cpp
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ MaemoRemoteCopyFacility::MaemoRemoteCopyFacility(QObject *parent) :
 
 MaemoRemoteCopyFacility::~MaemoRemoteCopyFacility() {}
 
-void MaemoRemoteCopyFacility::copyFiles(const SshConnection::Ptr &connection,
+void MaemoRemoteCopyFacility::copyFiles(SshConnection *connection,
     const LinuxDeviceConfiguration::ConstPtr &devConf,
     const QList<DeployableFile> &deployables, const QString &mountPoint)
 {
diff --git a/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotecopyfacility.h b/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotecopyfacility.h
index b0b4c51fab4..9fedb159981 100644
--- a/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotecopyfacility.h
+++ b/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotecopyfacility.h
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public:
     explicit MaemoRemoteCopyFacility(QObject *parent = 0);
     ~MaemoRemoteCopyFacility();
 
-    void copyFiles(const QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> &connection,
+    void copyFiles(QSsh::SshConnection *connection,
         const QSharedPointer<const RemoteLinux::LinuxDeviceConfiguration> &devConf,
         const QList<RemoteLinux::DeployableFile> &deployables, const QString &mountPoint);
     void cancel();
diff --git a/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotemounter.cpp b/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotemounter.cpp
index fec15a2e8ae..4ff4408790f 100644
--- a/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotemounter.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotemounter.cpp
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ MaemoRemoteMounter::~MaemoRemoteMounter()
     killAllUtfsServers();
 }
 
-void MaemoRemoteMounter::setConnection(const SshConnection::Ptr &connection,
+void MaemoRemoteMounter::setConnection(SshConnection *connection,
     const LinuxDeviceConfiguration::ConstPtr &devConf)
 {
     QTC_ASSERT(m_state == Inactive, return);
diff --git a/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotemounter.h b/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotemounter.h
index 5644d407124..111e1fb60c3 100644
--- a/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotemounter.h
+++ b/src/plugins/madde/maemoremotemounter.h
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ public:
     ~MaemoRemoteMounter();
 
     // Must already be connected.
-    void setConnection(const QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> &connection,
+    void setConnection(QSsh::SshConnection *connection,
         const QSharedPointer<const RemoteLinux::LinuxDeviceConfiguration> &devConf);
 
     void setBuildConfiguration(const Qt4ProjectManager::Qt4BuildConfiguration *bc);
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ private:
         int remotePort;
     };
 
-    QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> m_connection;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_connection;
     QSharedPointer<const RemoteLinux::LinuxDeviceConfiguration> m_devConf;
     QList<MountInfo> m_mountSpecs;
     QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshRemoteProcess> m_mountProcess;
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/abstractremotelinuxdeployservice.cpp b/src/plugins/remotelinux/abstractremotelinuxdeployservice.cpp
index 70d45ff4531..7f849265443 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/abstractremotelinuxdeployservice.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/abstractremotelinuxdeployservice.cpp
@@ -83,11 +83,12 @@ const char LastDeployedTimesKey[] = "Qt4ProjectManager.MaemoRunConfiguration.Las
 class AbstractRemoteLinuxDeployServicePrivate
 {
 public:
-    AbstractRemoteLinuxDeployServicePrivate() : state(Inactive), stopRequested(false) {}
+    AbstractRemoteLinuxDeployServicePrivate()
+        : connection(0), state(Inactive), stopRequested(false) {}
 
     LinuxDeviceConfiguration::ConstPtr deviceConfiguration;
     QPointer<Qt4BuildConfiguration> buildConfiguration;
-    SshConnection::Ptr connection;
+    SshConnection *connection;
     State state;
     bool stopRequested;
 
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ LinuxDeviceConfiguration::ConstPtr AbstractRemoteLinuxDeployService::deviceConfi
     return d->deviceConfiguration;
 }
 
-SshConnection::Ptr AbstractRemoteLinuxDeployService::connection() const
+SshConnection *AbstractRemoteLinuxDeployService::connection() const
 {
     return d->connection;
 }
@@ -263,12 +264,12 @@ void AbstractRemoteLinuxDeployService::handleDeviceSetupDone(bool success)
 
     d->state = Connecting;
     d->connection = SshConnectionManager::instance().acquireConnection(d->deviceConfiguration->sshParameters());
-    connect(d->connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
+    connect(d->connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
         SLOT(handleConnectionFailure()));
     if (d->connection->state() == SshConnection::Connected) {
         handleConnected();
     } else {
-        connect(d->connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
+        connect(d->connection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
         emit progressMessage(tr("Connecting to device..."));
         if (d->connection->state() == SshConnection::Unconnected)
             d->connection->connectToHost();
@@ -322,9 +323,9 @@ void AbstractRemoteLinuxDeployService::setFinished()
 {
     d->state = Inactive;
     if (d->connection) {
-        disconnect(d->connection.data(), 0, this, 0);
+        disconnect(d->connection, 0, this, 0);
         SshConnectionManager::instance().releaseConnection(d->connection);
-        d->connection = SshConnection::Ptr();
+        d->connection = 0;
     }
     d->stopRequested = false;
     emit finished();
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/abstractremotelinuxdeployservice.h b/src/plugins/remotelinux/abstractremotelinuxdeployservice.h
index 8ea3120c8b8..8386613fd1c 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/abstractremotelinuxdeployservice.h
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/abstractremotelinuxdeployservice.h
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ signals:
 protected:
     const Qt4ProjectManager::Qt4BuildConfiguration *qt4BuildConfiguration() const;
     QSharedPointer<const LinuxDeviceConfiguration> deviceConfiguration() const;
-    QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> connection() const;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *connection() const;
 
     void saveDeploymentTimeStamp(const DeployableFile &deployableFile);
     bool hasChangedSinceLastDeployment(const DeployableFile &deployableFile) const;
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/linuxdevicetester.cpp b/src/plugins/remotelinux/linuxdevicetester.cpp
index 6a9845e8dcd..7905c7b3347 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/linuxdevicetester.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/linuxdevicetester.cpp
@@ -51,10 +51,10 @@ enum State { Inactive, Connecting, RunningUname, TestingPorts };
 class GenericLinuxDeviceTesterPrivate
 {
 public:
-    GenericLinuxDeviceTesterPrivate() : state(Inactive) {}
+    GenericLinuxDeviceTesterPrivate() : connection(0), state(Inactive) {}
 
     LinuxDeviceConfiguration::ConstPtr deviceConfiguration;
-    SshConnection::Ptr connection;
+    SshConnection *connection;
     SshRemoteProcess::Ptr process;
     RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer portsGatherer;
     State state;
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ GenericLinuxDeviceTester::GenericLinuxDeviceTester(QObject *parent)
 
 GenericLinuxDeviceTester::~GenericLinuxDeviceTester()
 {
+    delete d->connection;
     delete d;
 }
 
@@ -84,9 +85,9 @@ void GenericLinuxDeviceTester::testDevice(const LinuxDeviceConfiguration::ConstP
     QTC_ASSERT(d->state == Inactive, return);
 
     d->deviceConfiguration = deviceConfiguration;
-    d->connection = SshConnection::create(deviceConfiguration->sshParameters());
-    connect(d->connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
-    connect(d->connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
+    d->connection = new SshConnection(deviceConfiguration->sshParameters());
+    connect(d->connection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
+    connect(d->connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
         SLOT(handleConnectionFailure()));
 
     emit progressMessage(tr("Connecting to host..."));
@@ -115,11 +116,6 @@ void GenericLinuxDeviceTester::stopTest()
     setFinished(TestFailure);
 }
 
-SshConnection::Ptr GenericLinuxDeviceTester::connection() const
-{
-    return d->connection;
-}
-
 void GenericLinuxDeviceTester::handleConnected()
 {
     QTC_ASSERT(d->state == Connecting, return);
@@ -190,8 +186,10 @@ void GenericLinuxDeviceTester::handlePortListReady()
 void GenericLinuxDeviceTester::setFinished(TestResult result)
 {
     d->state = Inactive;
-    disconnect(d->connection.data(), 0, this, 0);
+    disconnect(d->connection, 0, this, 0);
     disconnect(&d->portsGatherer, 0, this, 0);
+    delete d->connection;
+    d->connection = 0;
     emit finished(result);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/linuxdevicetester.h b/src/plugins/remotelinux/linuxdevicetester.h
index 58a3f10ed7a..e8c3aa00531 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/linuxdevicetester.h
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/linuxdevicetester.h
@@ -80,8 +80,6 @@ public:
     void testDevice(const QSharedPointer<const LinuxDeviceConfiguration> &deviceConfiguration);
     void stopTest();
 
-    QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> connection() const;
-
 private slots:
     void handleConnected();
     void handleConnectionFailure();
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/packageuploader.cpp b/src/plugins/remotelinux/packageuploader.cpp
index fbdb058def7..10e2ee7e26d 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/packageuploader.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/packageuploader.cpp
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ namespace RemoteLinux {
 namespace Internal {
 
 PackageUploader::PackageUploader(QObject *parent) :
-    QObject(parent), m_state(Inactive)
+    QObject(parent), m_state(Inactive), m_connection(0)
 {
 }
 
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ PackageUploader::~PackageUploader()
 {
 }
 
-void PackageUploader::uploadPackage(const SshConnection::Ptr &connection,
+void PackageUploader::uploadPackage(SshConnection *connection,
     const QString &localFilePath, const QString &remoteFilePath)
 {
     QTC_ASSERT(m_state == Inactive, return);
@@ -61,8 +61,7 @@ void PackageUploader::uploadPackage(const SshConnection::Ptr &connection,
     m_localFilePath = localFilePath;
     m_remoteFilePath = remoteFilePath;
     m_connection = connection;
-    connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
-        SLOT(handleConnectionFailure()));
+    connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleConnectionFailure()));
     m_uploader = m_connection->createSftpChannel();
     connect(m_uploader.data(), SIGNAL(initialized()), this,
         SLOT(handleSftpChannelInitialized()));
@@ -149,8 +148,8 @@ void PackageUploader::setState(State newState)
             m_uploader.clear();
         }
         if (m_connection) {
-            disconnect(m_connection.data(), 0, this, 0);
-            m_connection.clear();
+            disconnect(m_connection, 0, this, 0);
+            m_connection = 0;
         }
     }
     m_state = newState;
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/packageuploader.h b/src/plugins/remotelinux/packageuploader.h
index d29adf80b5b..7a77e7041f9 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/packageuploader.h
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/packageuploader.h
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ public:
     ~PackageUploader();
 
     // Connection has to be established already.
-    void uploadPackage(const QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> &connection,
+    void uploadPackage(QSsh::SshConnection *connection,
         const QString &localFilePath, const QString &remoteFilePath);
     void cancelUpload();
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ private:
     void setState(State newState);
 
     State m_state;
-    QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> m_connection;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_connection;
     QSharedPointer<QSsh::SftpChannel> m_uploader;
     QString m_localFilePath;
     QString m_remoteFilePath;
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxapplicationrunner.cpp b/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxapplicationrunner.cpp
index 95101ec82a2..bfd5f2aa401 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxapplicationrunner.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxapplicationrunner.cpp
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ public:
           appArguments(runConfig->arguments()),
           commandPrefix(runConfig->commandPrefix()),
           initialFreePorts(runConfig->freePorts()),
+          connection(0),
           stopRequested(false),
           state(Inactive)
     {
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ public:
     const QString commandPrefix;
     const PortList initialFreePorts;
 
-    QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr connection;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *connection;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr runner;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr cleaner;
 
@@ -108,7 +109,7 @@ AbstractRemoteLinuxApplicationRunner::~AbstractRemoteLinuxApplicationRunner()
     delete d;
 }
 
-SshConnection::Ptr AbstractRemoteLinuxApplicationRunner::connection() const
+SshConnection *AbstractRemoteLinuxApplicationRunner::connection() const
 {
     return d->connection;
 }
@@ -310,9 +311,9 @@ void AbstractRemoteLinuxApplicationRunner::setInactive()
 {
     d->portsGatherer.stop();
     if (d->connection) {
-        disconnect(d->connection.data(), 0, this, 0);
+        disconnect(d->connection, 0, this, 0);
         SshConnectionManager::instance().releaseConnection(d->connection);
-        d->connection = SshConnection::Ptr();
+        d->connection = 0;
     }
     if (d->cleaner)
         disconnect(d->cleaner.data(), 0, this, 0);
@@ -400,8 +401,8 @@ void AbstractRemoteLinuxApplicationRunner::handleDeviceSetupDone(bool success)
     d->state = Connecting;
     d->exitStatus = -1;
     d->freePorts = d->initialFreePorts;
-    connect(d->connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
-    connect(d->connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
+    connect(d->connection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
+    connect(d->connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
         SLOT(handleConnectionFailure()));
     if (d->connection->state() == SshConnection::Connected) {
         handleConnected();
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxapplicationrunner.h b/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxapplicationrunner.h
index 0961b9ab1a9..b23198778df 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxapplicationrunner.h
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxapplicationrunner.h
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ public:
 
     void startExecution(const QByteArray &remoteCall);
 
-    QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> connection() const;
     QSharedPointer<const LinuxDeviceConfiguration> devConfig() const;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *connection() const;
     const RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer *usedPortsGatherer() const;
     Utils::PortList *freePorts();
     QString remoteExecutable() const;
diff --git a/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxusedportsgatherer.cpp b/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxusedportsgatherer.cpp
index 5dc94bbc684..58a544150ad 100644
--- a/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxusedportsgatherer.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/remotelinux/remotelinuxusedportsgatherer.cpp
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ namespace Internal {
 class RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGathererPrivate
 {
  public:
-    SshConnection::Ptr connection;
+    SshConnection *connection;
     SshRemoteProcess::Ptr process;
     PortList portsToCheck;
     QList<int> usedPorts;
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ using namespace Internal;
 RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer::RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer(QObject *parent) :
     QObject(parent), d(new RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGathererPrivate)
 {
+    d->connection = 0;
 }
 
 RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer::~RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer()
@@ -76,12 +77,12 @@ void RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer::start(const LinuxDeviceConfiguration::ConstPt
     QTC_ASSERT(!d->connection, return);
     d->portsToCheck = devConf->freePorts();
     d->connection = SshConnectionManager::instance().acquireConnection(devConf->sshParameters());
-    connect(d->connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
+    connect(d->connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
     if (d->connection->state() == SshConnection::Connected) {
         handleConnectionEstablished();
         return;
     }
-    connect(d->connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnectionEstablished()));
+    connect(d->connection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnectionEstablished()));
     if (d->connection->state() == SshConnection::Unconnected)
         d->connection->connectToHost();
 }
@@ -119,9 +120,9 @@ void RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer::stop()
     if (d->process)
         disconnect(d->process.data(), 0, this, 0);
     d->process.clear();
-    disconnect(d->connection.data(), 0, this, 0);
+    disconnect(d->connection, 0, this, 0);
     SshConnectionManager::instance().releaseConnection(d->connection);
-    d->connection.clear();
+    d->connection = 0;
 }
 
 int RemoteLinuxUsedPortsGatherer::getNextFreePort(PortList *freePorts) const
diff --git a/src/plugins/valgrind/callgrind/callgrindcontroller.h b/src/plugins/valgrind/callgrind/callgrindcontroller.h
index 55bc6134ead..e7b638a75d9 100644
--- a/src/plugins/valgrind/callgrind/callgrindcontroller.h
+++ b/src/plugins/valgrind/callgrind/callgrindcontroller.h
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ private:
     Option m_lastOption;
 
     // remote callgrind support
-    QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr m_ssh;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_ssh;
     QString m_tempDataFile;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr m_findRemoteFile;
     QSsh::SftpChannel::Ptr m_sftp;
diff --git a/src/plugins/valgrind/valgrindprocess.cpp b/src/plugins/valgrind/valgrindprocess.cpp
index b739f35a5a1..c5cde6ff277 100644
--- a/src/plugins/valgrind/valgrindprocess.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/valgrind/valgrindprocess.cpp
@@ -152,11 +152,12 @@ RemoteValgrindProcess::RemoteValgrindProcess(const QSsh::SshConnectionParameters
                                              QObject *parent)
     : ValgrindProcess(parent)
     , m_params(sshParams)
+    , m_connection(0)
     , m_error(QProcess::UnknownError)
     , m_pid(0)
 {}
 
-RemoteValgrindProcess::RemoteValgrindProcess(const QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr &connection, QObject *parent)
+RemoteValgrindProcess::RemoteValgrindProcess(QSsh::SshConnection *connection, QObject *parent)
     : ValgrindProcess(parent)
     , m_params(connection->connectionParameters())
     , m_connection(connection)
@@ -164,6 +165,11 @@ RemoteValgrindProcess::RemoteValgrindProcess(const QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr &con
     , m_pid(0)
 {}
 
+RemoteValgrindProcess::~RemoteValgrindProcess()
+{
+    delete m_connection;
+}
+
 bool RemoteValgrindProcess::isRunning() const
 {
     return m_process && m_process->isRunning();
@@ -179,12 +185,11 @@ void RemoteValgrindProcess::run(const QString &valgrindExecutable, const QString
 
     // connect to host and wait for connection
     if (!m_connection)
-        m_connection = QSsh::SshConnection::create(m_params);
+        m_connection = new QSsh::SshConnection(m_params);
 
     if (m_connection->state() != QSsh::SshConnection::Connected) {
-        connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()),
-                this, SLOT(connected()));
-        connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
+        connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(connected()), this, SLOT(connected()));
+        connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
                 this, SLOT(error(QSsh::SshError)));
         if (m_connection->state() == QSsh::SshConnection::Unconnected)
             m_connection->connectToHost();
@@ -219,7 +224,7 @@ void RemoteValgrindProcess::connected()
     m_process->start();
 }
 
-QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr RemoteValgrindProcess::connection() const
+QSsh::SshConnection *RemoteValgrindProcess::connection() const
 {
     return m_connection;
 }
diff --git a/src/plugins/valgrind/valgrindprocess.h b/src/plugins/valgrind/valgrindprocess.h
index 18927f47b16..8d15bc8d158 100644
--- a/src/plugins/valgrind/valgrindprocess.h
+++ b/src/plugins/valgrind/valgrindprocess.h
@@ -120,8 +120,9 @@ class RemoteValgrindProcess : public ValgrindProcess
 public:
     explicit RemoteValgrindProcess(const QSsh::SshConnectionParameters &sshParams,
                                    QObject *parent = 0);
-    explicit RemoteValgrindProcess(const QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr &connection,
+    explicit RemoteValgrindProcess(QSsh::SshConnection *connection,
                                    QObject *parent = 0);
+    ~RemoteValgrindProcess();
 
     virtual bool isRunning() const;
 
@@ -139,7 +140,7 @@ public:
 
     virtual qint64 pid() const;
 
-    QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr connection() const;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *connection() const;
 
 private slots:
     void closed(int);
@@ -152,7 +153,7 @@ private slots:
 
 private:
     QSsh::SshConnectionParameters m_params;
-    QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr m_connection;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_connection;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr m_process;
     QString m_workingDir;
     QString m_valgrindExe;
diff --git a/tests/manual/ssh/errorhandling/main.cpp b/tests/manual/ssh/errorhandling/main.cpp
index 67f0a4faaa6..a0196d7e981 100644
--- a/tests/manual/ssh/errorhandling/main.cpp
+++ b/tests/manual/ssh/errorhandling/main.cpp
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ public:
     Test()
     {
         m_timeoutTimer.setSingleShot(true);
-        m_connection = SshConnection::create(SshConnectionParameters());
+        m_connection = new SshConnection(SshConnectionParameters());
         if (m_connection->state() != SshConnection::Unconnected) {
             qDebug("Error: Newly created SSH connection has state %d.",
                 m_connection->state());
@@ -107,7 +107,10 @@ public:
         runNextTest();
     }
 
-    ~Test();
+    ~Test()
+    {
+        delete m_connection;
+    }
 
 private slots:
     void handleConnected()
@@ -164,17 +167,15 @@ private slots:
 private:
     void runNextTest()
     {
-        if (m_connection)
-            disconnect(m_connection.data(), 0, this, 0);
-        m_connection = SshConnection::create(m_testSet.first().params);
-        connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), this,
-            SLOT(handleConnected()));
-        connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(disconnected()), this,
-            SLOT(handleDisconnected()));
-        connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(dataAvailable(QString)), this,
-            SLOT(handleDataAvailable(QString)));
-        connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), this,
-            SLOT(handleError(QSsh::SshError)));
+        if (m_connection) {
+            disconnect(m_connection, 0, this, 0);
+            delete m_connection;
+            }
+        m_connection = new SshConnection(m_testSet.first().params);
+        connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
+        connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(disconnected()), SLOT(handleDisconnected()));
+        connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(dataAvailable(QString)), SLOT(handleDataAvailable(QString)));
+        connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleError(QSsh::SshError)));
         const TestItem &nextItem = m_testSet.first();
         m_timeoutTimer.stop();
         m_timeoutTimer.setInterval(qMax(10000, nextItem.params.timeout * 1000));
@@ -182,7 +183,7 @@ private:
         m_connection->connectToHost();
     }
 
-    SshConnection::Ptr m_connection;
+    SshConnection *m_connection;
     typedef QList<SshError> ErrorList;
     struct TestItem {
         TestItem(const char *d, const SshConnectionParameters &p,
@@ -196,8 +197,6 @@ private:
     QTimer m_timeoutTimer;
 };
 
-Test::~Test() {}
-
 int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 {
     QCoreApplication a(argc, argv);
diff --git a/tests/manual/ssh/remoteprocess/remoteprocesstest.cpp b/tests/manual/ssh/remoteprocess/remoteprocesstest.cpp
index 2f0557491a3..3952aafcb11 100644
--- a/tests/manual/ssh/remoteprocess/remoteprocesstest.cpp
+++ b/tests/manual/ssh/remoteprocess/remoteprocesstest.cpp
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ const QByteArray StderrOutput("ChannelTest");
 RemoteProcessTest::RemoteProcessTest(const SshConnectionParameters &params)
     : m_sshParams(params),
       m_timeoutTimer(new QTimer(this)),
+      m_sshConnection(0),
       m_remoteRunner(new SshRemoteProcessRunner(this)),
       m_state(Inactive)
 {
@@ -54,7 +55,10 @@ RemoteProcessTest::RemoteProcessTest(const SshConnectionParameters &params)
     connect(m_timeoutTimer, SIGNAL(timeout()), SLOT(handleTimeout()));
 }
 
-RemoteProcessTest::~RemoteProcessTest() { }
+RemoteProcessTest::~RemoteProcessTest()
+{
+    delete m_sshConnection;
+}
 
 void RemoteProcessTest::run()
 {
@@ -214,9 +218,9 @@ void RemoteProcessTest::handleProcessClosed(int exitStatus)
             }
             std::cout << "Ok.\nTesting I/O device functionality... " << std::flush;
             m_state = TestingIoDevice;
-            m_sshConnection = QSsh::SshConnection::create(m_sshParams);
-            connect(m_sshConnection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
-            connect(m_sshConnection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
+            m_sshConnection = new QSsh::SshConnection(m_sshParams);
+            connect(m_sshConnection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
+            connect(m_sshConnection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)),
                 SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
             m_sshConnection->connectToHost();
             m_timeoutTimer->start();
diff --git a/tests/manual/ssh/remoteprocess/remoteprocesstest.h b/tests/manual/ssh/remoteprocess/remoteprocesstest.h
index 0eb59ab0f60..73dd633e1a7 100644
--- a/tests/manual/ssh/remoteprocess/remoteprocesstest.h
+++ b/tests/manual/ssh/remoteprocess/remoteprocesstest.h
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ private:
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcessRunner * const m_remoteRunner;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr m_catProcess;
     QSsh::SshRemoteProcess::Ptr m_echoProcess;
-    QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr m_sshConnection;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_sshConnection;
     QByteArray m_remoteStdout;
     QByteArray m_remoteStderr;
     QByteArray m_remoteData;
diff --git a/tests/manual/ssh/sftp/sftptest.cpp b/tests/manual/ssh/sftp/sftptest.cpp
index b1372d6f3c1..59024d8f22c 100644
--- a/tests/manual/ssh/sftp/sftptest.cpp
+++ b/tests/manual/ssh/sftp/sftptest.cpp
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 using namespace QSsh;
 
 SftpTest::SftpTest(const Parameters &params)
-    : m_parameters(params), m_state(Inactive), m_error(false),
+    : m_parameters(params), m_state(Inactive), m_error(false), m_connection(0),
       m_bigFileUploadJob(SftpInvalidJob),
       m_bigFileDownloadJob(SftpInvalidJob),
       m_bigFileRemovalJob(SftpInvalidJob),
@@ -57,17 +57,15 @@ SftpTest::SftpTest(const Parameters &params)
 SftpTest::~SftpTest()
 {
     removeFiles(true);
+    delete m_connection;
 }
 
 void SftpTest::run()
 {
-    m_connection = SshConnection::create(m_parameters.sshParams);
-    connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), this,
-        SLOT(handleConnected()));
-    connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), this,
-        SLOT(handleError()));
-    connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(disconnected()), this,
-        SLOT(handleDisconnected()));
+    m_connection = new SshConnection(m_parameters.sshParams);
+    connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
+    connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleError()));
+    connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(disconnected()), SLOT(handleDisconnected()));
     std::cout << "Connecting to host '"
         << qPrintable(m_parameters.sshParams.host) << "'..." << std::endl;
     m_state = Connecting;
diff --git a/tests/manual/ssh/sftp/sftptest.h b/tests/manual/ssh/sftp/sftptest.h
index 8ca5a3dff4f..cf3e94a3ad1 100644
--- a/tests/manual/ssh/sftp/sftptest.h
+++ b/tests/manual/ssh/sftp/sftptest.h
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ private:
     const Parameters m_parameters;
     State m_state;
     bool m_error;
-    QSsh::SshConnection::Ptr m_connection;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_connection;
     QSsh::SftpChannel::Ptr m_channel;
     QList<FilePtr> m_localSmallFiles;
     JobMap m_smallFilesUploadJobs;
diff --git a/tests/manual/ssh/shell/shell.cpp b/tests/manual/ssh/shell/shell.cpp
index 392f4af29c0..02d63114275 100644
--- a/tests/manual/ssh/shell/shell.cpp
+++ b/tests/manual/ssh/shell/shell.cpp
@@ -45,16 +45,17 @@ using namespace QSsh;
 
 Shell::Shell(const QSsh::SshConnectionParameters &parameters, QObject *parent)
     : QObject(parent),
-      m_connection(SshConnection::create(parameters)),
+      m_connection(new SshConnection(parameters)),
       m_stdin(new QFile(this))
 {
-    connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
-    connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(dataAvailable(QString)), SLOT(handleShellMessage(QString)));
-    connect(m_connection.data(), SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
+    connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(connected()), SLOT(handleConnected()));
+    connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(dataAvailable(QString)), SLOT(handleShellMessage(QString)));
+    connect(m_connection, SIGNAL(error(QSsh::SshError)), SLOT(handleConnectionError()));
 }
 
 Shell::~Shell()
 {
+    delete m_connection;
 }
 
 void Shell::run()
diff --git a/tests/manual/ssh/shell/shell.h b/tests/manual/ssh/shell/shell.h
index 9e6e5c364b7..1432810deb3 100644
--- a/tests/manual/ssh/shell/shell.h
+++ b/tests/manual/ssh/shell/shell.h
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ private slots:
     void handleStdin();
 
 private:
-    QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshConnection> m_connection;
+    QSsh::SshConnection *m_connection;
     QSharedPointer<QSsh::SshRemoteProcess> m_shell;
     QFile * const m_stdin;
 };