- Cryptojacking is an illegal way to access devices remotely and use the resources for mining.
- Lately, the instances of cryptojacking have grown rapidly.
Crypto mining is highly profitable and it lures many people. But it takes a lot of capital to set up a crypto mining unit. Moreover, it consumes plenty of electricity and causes a hefty bill. So, cyber miscreants find creative ways to undertake mining without having to invest all the money.
Cryptojacking is an illegal black-hat trick technique to access third-party computing resources unauthorizedly. So let’s explore this practice, its disadvantages, and ways.
Cryptojacking: In a Nutshell
With cryptojacking, hackers can get the computing resources they want for mining. They don’t have to pay anything for it, they just need to access someone else’s devices. They don’t have to get the hardware, and infrastructure, or pay electricity bills this way. So, in the last few years, the instances of cryptojacking have grown.
But unfortunately, not a lot of people know about this. That’s also because it doesn’t result in a direct loss of money. However, this practice impacts the victims in different ways.
One should also not rule out worse possibilities because hackers get access to phones. They get to see the private photos, videos, and documents. They can easily know the users’ passwords for their bank accounts and other services.
Types of Cryptojacking One Must Know
Cryptojackers target a large number of people and consume little resources from each of them. It makes them less noticeable and easy to operate. To access victims’ devices, cryptojackers deploy two types of attacks.
Browser Cryptojacking
In a browser-based attack, the hackers create programs that automatically run crypto mining software in users’ web browsers. These programs run automatically when the user visits the webpage hosting the software. Cryptojackers embed crypto mining JavaScript code and direct traffic toward that webpage. This method is also called drive-by cryptomining.
The cryptojackers don’t need to create new websites to lure victims. They can easily do it with the existing ones by installing malware via programmatic advertising. Of course, the website owners aren’t aware of that. They also can’t do anything to remove the program from the platform.
These compromised ads can be hidden under pop-ups too. This malware deploys domain-generation algorithms to circumvent ad blockers. It continues to serve ads to visitors while perfectly staying hidden under the ad campaign.
Host Cryptojacking
It works like a typical phishing scam with a different purpose altogether. Cryptojackers send links infested with crypto mining software to victims’ computers and mobile devices. As soon as the victims click on it, the program is released. It can infect even open-source codes and public application programming interfaces.
Besides securing access to the device, the malware can affect the cloud storage as well. Once in the cloud, the program can quickly make its way into servers. Through that, it can go into a host of platforms. In addition to that, cryptojacking scripts can replace existing malware.
Modus Operandi of Cryptojacking Attack
Script- A miner starts by preparing a script with codes to execute the hack.
Infection- The website or the device is compromised when the victim clicks on the link.
Attack- The final stage of attack starts when the script is executed. It starts to use the victim’s computing resources to execute the mining. The attackers remain in control and decide how much power is to be used.
Signs That Cryptojacking Victims See
Though these programs are highly unnoticeable, there are some visible signs.
Device Performance
Devices afflicted by such malware show poor processing power. They show latency in running the apps and the battery dies earlier than usual.
Overheating
Due to excess usage, the device gets overheated frequently. Batteries also get heated due to the usage of cryptojacking scripts through the processor. The continued overheating can damage the device too.
Excessive Power Consumption
That would ultimately happen when the devices start to consume more electricity. Particularly, the cryptomining software takes a great amount of power.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
When a cryptojacking application runs in the device, the CPU processing shows a spike. Windows users can check the Task Manager, but they may not see an additional application running. However, the usage of CPU shows an increase.
Ways to Detect Cryptojacking
Here are a few ways to stop a cryptojacking attack from affecting a device.
Robust Cybersecurity
A strong cybersecurity program can help device owners to prevent such instances. It can secure browsers, operating systems, smartphones, laptops, etc.
Browser Extensions
They’re not popular but anti-cryptojacking browser extensions exist. Some of them are No Coin and minerBlock which many crypto owners use.
Strong Ad Blockers
While many cryptojacked ads can bypass ad blockers, some can do the job. Users need to choose them carefully.
By exercising caution, the OS-enabled devices can prevent cryptojacking. Also, crypto users should follow the updates going on in this niche. It would help them prevent any instances of cryptojacking.