It’s no news that cybercriminals are always looking for more ways to use technology to make more money with the least amount of effort. One of the latest offenses that have come to the surface is cryptojacking. I this article I will talk about How to Detect And Prevent Cryptojacking?
Cryptojacking can be defined as the unauthorized or illegal use of a person’s computer to mine for cryptocurrency without the owner being aware of it.
In 2019, cybersecurity company Webroot listed Cryptojacking as one of the most dangerous malwares. It was part of their list of the nastiest malware of 2019. Webroot described Cryptojacking as a low-risk method that hackers use to make money. It is more insidious than ransomware.
Although it hasn’t been long since the threat was first introduced, the criminals behind it have developed it. They have perfected Cryptojacking into one of the most complex threat models. It presents itself in different variants. It targets unsuspecting devices.
A Word on Crypto-mining
To understand Cryptojacking, how it happens, and the best ways to detect and recover from it, let’s first look at crypto-mining and how people perform it. Crypto-mining helps maintain the security and integrity of the blockchain, with a distributed ledger tracking payments.
Each time miners or computers add a new block of transactions to the blockchain, they solve complex mathematical problems to validate the data.
Whenever miners solve the validation equation and register a new block, they update the wallet in the device that first solves it with the new amount of cryptocurrency.
In recent years, mining for cryptocurrency has turned into a lucrative business opportunity. Crypto-enthusiasts have even set up crypto-mining farms that consist of vast networks of powerful machines competing against millions in the crypto business for rewards.
Naturally, the avenue has been of interest for hackers and cybercriminals since it was launched, which eventually led to cryptojacking.
How to Detect And Prevent Cryptojacking?
Somewhere in the world, a hacker could be using your computer’s resources to mine cryptocurrency. You would never be aware of it. This is exactly what Cryptojacking is. The crypto-mining malware surfaced just a couple of years ago. It allows hackers to use a person’s CPU for crypto-mining calculations. The hackers usually consolidate resources from infected machines. They create entire crypto-farms, all without the users knowing.
There is no cap on how much cryptocurrency Cryptojacking can generate. This makes it an ideal avenue for hackers. Cryptojacking seems to grow in popularity with each passing day. It is a high-money venture with very little risk.
Cryptojackers have the advantage of a much lower risk of being caught compared to ransomware. The code remains inconspicuous and runs for days without detection. Even if detected, it is hard to trace back to the hacker who planted it.
Cryptojacking Detection—Signs to Look Out For
Cryptojacking is hard to detect, but it’s not impossible, and cybersecurity experts have concluded that there are three tell-tale signs to look out for.
Decreased Performance
The first one is decreased performance. If your computer is performing consistently slow, it needs to be charged more frequently. It has started to crash randomly, and there is a noticeable decrease in performance; the issue might be worth looking into.
Over-heating
This usually results from the intensive calculations needed to mine cryptocurrency. Over time, it can damage your machine. This damage can lead to a much shorter lifespan.
If your computer heats up quickly, the fan may run faster than usual to cool it down. It would be a good idea to check for issues.
Increased CPU Usage
Performing complicated calculations extensively uses a lot of CPU power. Suppose your work on the device hasn’t changed. If your CPU seems to be overperforming for no real reason, along with other signs like decreased performance and overheating, something might be wrong.
These three signs aren’t exclusive to Cryptojacking. They could indicate other issues as well. However, if you notice two or more of these signs at once, you should check for Cryptojacking.
Cryptojacking Prevention
It goes how they say; prevention is better than cure. The best way to make sure that you don’t fall victim to crimes such as Cryptojacking is to stay informed and boost your cybersecurity. Here are some ways that you can prevent Cryptojacking.
Use Browser Extensions to Block Cryptojacking
More often than not, Cryptojacking scripts are deployed in web browsers. You can make use of specialized browser extensions to block cryptojackers from getting into your machine. Some examples of browser extensions that block Cryptojacking are minerBlock, AntiMiner, and NoCoin.
Use a VPN Product
The best and safest way to avoid Cryptojacking and similar crimes is to use a VPN service. A VPN hides your original IP address. It allows you to connect to the internet through a remote and secure server. The VPN also gives you its IP address.
This ensures that your online activities remain anonymous and private. You stay safe from hackers and other cybercrimes, including Cryptojacking.
Disable JavaScript
Another great way to prevent Cryptojacking code from infecting your computer is by disabling JavaScript. This step will block Cryptojacking efforts on your machine. However, it comes with drawbacks. The most annoying drawback is that you might get blocked from using certain functions. These functions might be ones that you need.
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