Knowing Cryptojacking and How to Prevent It

Hemanth, from the alliance department here. This time, I'm blogging on the study session subject of cryptojacking.

Introduction

A rising issue in the digital world is cryptojacking, which is the unlawful use of someone's computer or mobile device to mine bitcoin without that person's knowledge or agreement. Malicious actors use software to hijack computational resources by taking advantage of flaws in victims' devices, which slows down performance and increases energy usage. This blog delves into the various types of cryptojacking and offers helpful prevention tips.

Types of Cryptojacking

Browser-Based Cryptojacking

Browser-based assaults are a common type of cryptojacking. Malicious code is injected into websites in this case, and when people access these hacked platforms, it goes into effect. The code uses the victim's CPU resources to mine cryptocurrency, which has a negative impact on computer performance. A few well-known instances of browser-based assaults are coinloot, coinimp, and coinhive.

Malware-Based Cryptojacking

Malware-based cryptojacking is yet another devious tactic used by cybercriminals. Attackers install cryptomining software on the systems of victims through malicious files or URLs. After being installed, the malware secretly uses the victim's CPU power to mine cryptocurrencies, which has a negative impact on computer performance. Cryotlocker, Locky, and Wannacry are well-known malware strains.

Cloud-Based Cryptojacking

In cloud-based cryptojacking, cyber criminals use cloud computing resources to mine cryptocurrencies, possibly having a significant financial impact on victims. By getting illegal access to a cloud account, attackers install cryptomining applications on cloud instances, exploiting the cloud's resources for mining activities.

Network-Based Cryptojacking

A large performance hit is experienced by connected devices due to network-based cryptojacking, which uses networks to mine cryptocurrencies. Attackers get into a network and install cryptomining software on one or more connected devices, using the network's resources for mining operations.

Signs of a Cryptojacked Device

Detecting a cryptojacked device can be difficult, but there are certain warning signals

Poor Device Performance and Slow Response Times: If your device unexpectedly displays slower performance than usual or stops responding, this may be a sign of cryptojacking activity.

Overheated Batteries and Excessive Battery Usage: Cryptojacking operations can put a burden on your device's capabilities, increasing heat and hastening battery depletion.

Increased Electricity Costs: Cryptojacking uses a lot of computational power, which causes consumption of electricity to noticeably increase. The result is higher bills.

Above-average CPU usage for non-media hosted websites: If you notice unusually high CPU utilization, particularly while browsing non-media hosted websites, it could be a sign of hidden crypto mining scripts.

How Cryptojacking Works

Cryptojacking typically occurs when people unwittingly click on malicious emails, links, or attachments. These acts inadvertently download cryptomining code onto their computers, which then runs mining routines in the background. The scripts use the device's processing power to mine cryptocurrency, enabling the attacker to gather and store the extracted currency in their online wallet.

Different ways to prevent cryptojacking taking place on your device

Conclusion

By stealthily using up computational resources all around the world, cryptojacking poses a serious threat. It's critical to recognize warning indications including sluggishness, overheating, and unusual CPU consumption. Update your software frequently, use strong security measures, and be cautious online to protect yourself from it. Preserve a secure digital environment by being proactive in protecting devices.