Cryptojacking Definition
Cryptojacking is a type of cybercrime that involves the unauthorized use of someone’s computing resources to mine cryptocurrencies. Perpetrators carry out these malicious acts by either infecting a website, a laptop, a server, or an entire network with malware that functions to solve complex algorithms for mining activities.
Cryptojacking Key Points
- Cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of a person’s device to mine cryptocurrencies.
- It operates via installed malware or through a script on a website.
- Cryptojacking depletes system resources, degrade performance, and may lead to significant damage to the infected device.
- It is a less obvious crime as it operates in the background, making detection often difficult.
What is Cryptojacking?
Cryptojacking essentially involves an attacker deploying code on another person’s computer or network of computers to use their processing power for mining cryptocurrencies. Mining is a process that requires tremendous computational energy and resources. To avoid these costs, cybercriminals hijack the resources of unsuspecting victims and use them for their operations.
Why does Cryptojacking Occur?
Cryptojacking happens primarily for financial gain. Crypto-mining activities are often costly and require significant processing power and electricity to solve complex mathematical problems. By using the resources of others, cryptojackers can mine cryptocurrencies at no cost to themselves.
How does Cryptojacking work?
Cryptojacking can occur in two ways. The first involves tricking a user into clicking a malicious link that loads crypto mining code onto the computer. The second, more passive method, involves embedding a JavaScript code that automatically runs when the victim visits an infected website.
Where does Cryptojacking Occur?
Cryptojacking can affect virtually any device that has internet access and uses a browser, including personal computers, mobile devices, and servers. It is a global issue that can impact anyone, anywhere, often targeting individuals and businesses with high computational capacities.
Who is Impacted by Cryptojacking?
Just about anyone with a device capable of internet access may fall victim to cryptojacking— from individual consumers to large corporations. The impact on individuals may seem slight, but when carried out on a large scale, the cumulative effect can be significant.
When does Cryptojacking Happen?
Cryptojacking can occur anytime a user’s device is connected to the internet. The frequent exchange and availability of information online provides ample opportunities for hackers to infiltrate unsuspecting systems.
How to Prevent Cryptojacking?
Prevention of cryptojacking involves steps such as keeping all software updated, educating users about phishing schemes, and employing security measures like ad-blockers, antivirus software, and specialized browser extensions that detect and block any mining scripts. Regularly monitoring network and device performance can also flag any unusual or sudden changes in speed or efficiency, possibly indicating a cryptojacking attack.
