Cryptocurrencies, a significant change happens in the digital world in 2009. Slowly and then rapidly, it gains a lot of popularity and criticism too. Besides putting the criticism, lots of users coming into the crypto world.
But unfortunately, because of large digital areas, hackers found many ways to trick innocent users. And one of them is Cryptojacking.
1. What is Cryptojacking?
In a simple word, using users’ devices to mine cryptocurrencies without knowing the users. And in technical word Cryptojacking is the type of cyber attack in which hacker attacks on device and access unauthorized use of a computer, mobile, tablet, or any internet-connected device that has the capability to mine cryptocurrencies. After accessing the device hacker install a few lines of code in the user’s devices that silently mine cryptos and send them to the hacker wallet.
Hacker loves Cryptojacking, generally, they do not use maximum device power. They will steal just a little that the user can not notice.
2. Types of Cryptojacking.
Based on the attack, there are two types of Cryptojacking.
Mining malware: This is the popular way to trick users, hacker mostly attacks users who use a lot of social media or have many accounts on different websites. Once they target they send emails, messages, which contain hidden harmful malware when users click on it a hidden malware will launch and run quietly in the background. Since it’s often packaged in legitimate files, it’s very easy for this to go unnoticed.
Web browser-based: This is another and smart attack on the user device but without putting any code in the device. In which hacker create a website that contains crypto mining code and when a user visits on the infected website or if the ad pops up in the browser, the script automatically start crypto mining. In which doesn’t need to install malware and browser mine crypto until the user does not leave the website or page.
3. How attackers do Cryptojacking?
Hacker just wants to mine, earn crypto, and then leave so it can happen anyway as some follow.
Email phishing – this is the best way to attack, hacker mostly uses brand name email ID like Binance, Coinbase, Blockchain to trick the users when someone clicks on the link an attachment will download to the device.
An infected website is the easiest way to hijack the user’s device. In which the attacker doesn’t need to do something when the user comes to the site, it automatically starts mining.
Installing apps from unknown sources. In this type of attack, users are responsible for themselves.
4. How to detect Cryptojacking?
Cryptojacking is a slow process, so it’s hard to detect and also takes time to show symptoms. The general symptom of Cryptojacking is overheating when the device starts mining it consumes more CPU power and data, and the result is infected device starts getting hotter and responds slowly without doing anything.
5. How to prevent Cryptojacking.
When the device goes online, it hard to avoid Cryptojacking, especially when surfing insecure and suspicious websites.
In order to secure yourself from Cryptojacking, you must install ad-blocking or anti-crypto mining on your web browser. This would add an extra layer of protection apart from using security software and some amount of knowledge on Cryptojacking as a whole. And also avoid clicking on phishing emails, unknown attachments, and doubtful links.
Brave browser can protect your device by blocking ads and JavaScript of the websites.
6. What types of crypto can mine hackers?
There are about 7448 coins but few are minable and have value to earn money from it. They mostly mine.
- Bitcoin.
- Ethereum.
- Bitcoin Cash.
- Litecoin.
Originally published by me here.
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