What Is Cryptojacking and How Can You Prevent It?
A Cryptojacking is a form of cybercrime in which hackers stealthily take control of your computer for cryptocurrency mining without your consent. Such acts are taken through malware or browser-based scripts that tap into the devices capacity. Cryptojacking occurs when Monero and other similar currencies are fired off from your computer without your consent. And it is still scary because this can entirely be achieved using a web browser without installing additional malware. But the silver lining is that, there are simple measures to prevent and record cryptojacking.
The Evolution of Cryptojacking
Every cryptocurrency miner has to grapple with the fact that mining any form of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, is an energy and resource heavy endeavor. Considering how profitable the process of crypto mining is, it was only a matter of time before cyber criminals found a way to use other people’s devices to their own benefit. This practice, deserving the name ‘cryptojacking’ is a more of an abuse of devices or taking control of them for the purpose of mining.
Without even realizing it, or consenting to it, every time cryptojacking happens, devices become a part of an elaborate setup that uses that very device’s energy and processing power, with the sole purpose of mining cryptocurrencies.
How Does Cryptojacking Work?
The concept of cryptojacking is rather simple. A robot that mines cryptocurrencies is automatically initiated once you visit the infected website and in such a way the process of generating currencies begins. So most of it is just automated code which revolves around JavaScript aimed at using devices with minimal processing power to mine highly anonymous coins like Monero.
During the act of cryptojacking, whatever resources your device uses for performing certain functions is rerouted to activities that are mining and generally are focused towards consuming a larger amount of energy because of how the process was designed. That said, there has been instances where certain browser extensions even enabled the act of cryptojacking, some of which were even chrome extensions that have now been taken down.
Protecting Yourself Against Cryptojacking
Considering the effectiveness, countering approaches to cryptojacking are quite easy especially when it comes to threats with a browser based approach.
To prevent cryptojacking scripts from running, you can install free browser extensions such as MinerBlock for Chrome or No Coin on Firefox and Chrome.
These measures will help keep all the resources of your device safe and in only your control.
Is using a browser that is mining cryptocurrencies with an integrated mining feature harmful?
Not in all cases. We would classify browser-based cryptocurrency mining as forbidden palliation cryptojacking as an alternative method of leveraging a website, all advertisements on the other had, are annoying and wasting people’s time. Although metaphorically implemented in practice, If used restraint, browser mining can be set as an alternative, to gain some monetary gains.
For example, users scan the ads to compensate web pages they visit or alternatively, users would use some of their CPU power, to assist in web pages, in this case, crypto web pages, mining coins. Charities also can employ people to mine coins instead of directly donating as this is more eco-friendly and economical.
By being careful as well as taking necessary casualties, you can thwart chances of being a victim of cryptojacking. Even though this is a negative trend, numerous preventive steps exist that can enable you to take care of your virtual assets.
