Cryptojacking can be seen as hijacking or commandeering a computer to loot cryptocurrencies against the users’ or consumers’ consent. This could be done when the user is not paying attention or is unaware, also through certain websites. One of the highly significant portions of software that did cryptojacking work and run was Coinhive. Before Coinhive was shut down in 2019, in March, over two-thirds of cryptojacks that had run had Coinhive powerfully in use. Cryptojacking is a kind of cyberattack through which a hacker gains unauthorized use of users’ devices such as smartphones, computers, tablets, or even servers.
Cryptojacking has become an increasingly famous way for dubious individuals, criminals, and fraudsters to fool users and dupe them of their money in the form of cryptocurrencies. When cryptojacking occurs, the fraudsters encode their victims’ files, and they would demand cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, for ransom to decode and decrypt such. Cryptojacking gets the victims’ machines to extract the necessary information to generate fresh tokens and create fees. As against the norm, new fees and tokens are then deposited into the attackers’ wallets while the real owners are left to bear the cost of wear and tear, including the electricity to run the computer. How unfair! If you are looking for a trustworthy platform to invest your money, you can check out this trading bot at bitconnect.co/immediate-edge/
There have been several examples of cryptojacking over the years. One of such had the nickname ‘WannaMine.’ In the year 2018, February, Panda Security, a Spanish cybersecurity organization, had to announce to the public that ‘WannaMine’ had made its way and spread to several computers all over the world. The particular cryptocurrency that was mined was Monero, a digital currency that creates a high level of obscurity or anonymity possible for all users and all their transactions. Before the 2018 incident, in 2017, Panda Security initially discovered ‘WannaMine.’ It was challenging to block or even detect and was regarded as responsible for several eminent infections in the year 2018. Once ‘WannaMine’ succeeds in infiltrating the victim’s computer, it would then use the machine’s running power to process an algorithm known as CryptoNight continuously to get a specific criterion before other miners do. As soon as this is done, new Monero is brought and deposited into the attackers’ wallets immediately.
How to Prevent and Detect Cryptojacking
CPU Usage Inspection
You could have an IT team watch CPU usage and dissect or analyze it. The person could also do it by themselves, that is, for personal computers. You can do this by using the Task Manager or Activity Monitor. If there is an increase in CPU percentage usage, and this occurs when people visit or are on a website with almost no content, this could be a sign or a hint that cryptojacking is in view or the play somewhere.
Strong Cybersecurity Software Usage
A powerful and robust cybersecurity software would help facilitate the detection process of dangers and defend against cryptojacking. It is highly advisable that one quickly installs strong security before such becomes an avoidable victim. It is also far better to ensure one installs the most recent software patches and updates for one’s operating system and, most importantly, the web browsers.
