What is cryptojacking and how can you avoid it?
At a glance
- Cryptojacking is when a hacker hijacks devices, turns them into cryptocurrency miners and exploits blockchain networks and applications.
- Signs of cryptojacking include a quick battery drain, decreased performance, overheating and increased usage of the device鈥檚 central processing unit.
- To prevent cryptojacking, you can install a cybersecurity program, stay up to date on cryptojacking trends, install ad blockers and disable JavaScript.
- To learn more about cybersecurity, or to expand your existing knowledge, 爱污传媒 offers听online听产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚听补苍诲听master鈥檚 degrees in cybersecurity听as well as听dedicated course collections.
From identity theft to stolen credit card numbers,听. One of these cybercrimes is cryptojacking, and as the cryptocurrency industry grows, so too are instances of this attack.
Cryptojacking is when a hacker secretly hijacks computers, smartphones, tablets or servers and turns them into听cryptocurrency miners. The unpermitted use exploits听blockchain networks听or applications, which otherwise securely record and maintain cryptocurrency transactions. More than听in 2022 alone. Here鈥檚 what you need to know to prevent this type of crime.
How does cryptojacking occur?
Anyone who has a device connected to the internet and who browses webpages, checks email or downloads apps is at risk for cryptojacking.
While that sounds alarming, there are two common ways people usually fall victim to cryptojacking. One occurs by听clicking on a malicious email link, which immediately loads crypto-mining software onto your device and, unbeknownst to you, turns it into a crypto-mining machine.
The other method, called听drive-by crypto-mining, happens when a piece of JavaScript code is embedded into a webpage so that any time a device is used to visit that page, the device gets used for cryptocurrency mining.
These schemes happen frequently on pages or apps that draw a lot of traffic. For example,听.
A year later,听听and even promoted on lists of the top free apps. When users downloaded and launched one of the apps, they would unknowingly download cryptojacking software onto their device.听
What problems does cryptojacking cause?
One problem cryptojacking causes also happens to be one way to detect when cryptojacking is happening: It causes your device to not function properly. A听:
- Decreased performance: Your device might run slower, crash often or generally offer poor performance. These are听key symptoms听of cryptojacking code.
- Battery drain: A battery that drains faster than usual is a potential sign of cryptojacking.
- Overheating: Since cryptojacking is such a resource-intensive process, devices may overheat more often. Pay attention if your laptop or computer鈥檚 fan is running faster than usual.
- Central processing unit (CPU) increase: If you see an increase in CPU usage while browsing, it could mean cryptojacking software is running. Check your activity monitor or task manager, but keep in mind the scripts are likely hidden, making them harder to detect.
Recognizing the signs of cryptojacking is only one way to protect yourself from cybercrimes. Preventing them before they happen is another.
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Can cryptojacking be prevented?
Taking steps to reduce the risk of cryptojacking is also helpful for听preventing other cyber threats. (And with more data breaches happening every year, the听future of cybersecurity听relies on people who understand how to protect themselves from these threats.)
Some helpful ways to听reduce the risk听of cryptojacking are:
- Installing a cybersecurity program: Choose software that can detect multiple kinds of cyber threats, including cryptojacking.
- Staying updated on cryptojacking trends: Codes and scripts are constantly evolving, so take a proactive approach to听understanding the essentials when it comes to technology and computers.
- Using extensions that block cryptojacking: Since cryptojacking software is hidden in web browsers, install specialized browser extensions that protect your device across the web.
- Install ad blockers: Cryptojacking scripts can be deployed through online ads, which makes ad blockers your first line of cybercrime defense.
- Disable JavaScript: Disabling JavaScript when browsing online can help stop cryptojackers from infiltrating your device.
Keep in mind that when your computer is being victimized by cryptojacking, it could also be troubled by other kinds of cyberattacks. One of the best methods of prevention is understanding other kinds of cybercrimes.
Is cryptojacking worse than other cyberattacks?
Initially,听cryptojacking may seem relatively harmless, but using devices for this cybercrime is more than a breach of security 鈥 it鈥檚 also a breach of your privacy and your right to sole ownership of your device. Other cybersecurity threats include:
- Phishing: Hackers pretending to be a trusted person, business or government organization send emails or texts to gain access to private information.
- Malware: Software that can disrupt IT processes or steal data and other information.
- Ransomware: A type of malware that uses encryption to ransom a victim鈥檚 private information. Critical data is encrypted so that it cannot be accessed until a ransom is paid.
- : When hackers take over a two-party transaction to steal credit card numbers from websites.
- Stolen passwords: A cyberattack that occurs when a stolen password is used to gain access to a person鈥檚 or business鈥檚 digital information.
While cryptojacking can burden your computer鈥檚 functionality, it鈥檚 not as immediately devastating as other cyberattacks, which often target financial and private information. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 important to learn how to detect as many kinds of cyber threats as you can, including cryptojacking.
How can you detect cryptojacking?
Since cryptojacking occurs in the background of your system, it can be difficult to detect. What鈥檚 more, because cryptojacking code can be disguised to look like regular processes, even听antivirus and antimalware software听may miss it.
If you are concerned your computer or IT systems are under threat of cyberattack, consider connecting with an expert who has a听background in cybersecurity听and can identify the issue. IT professionals experienced in听digital forensics听can identify cryptojacking, recover from it and prevent it and other cybercrime down the line. It鈥檚 worth your time 鈥 and your company鈥檚 security 鈥 to be proactive about understanding the impact of today鈥檚 most prominent cyberthreats.
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