What Is Cryptojacking?

Cryptojacking is a term that has become increasingly common in the digital world. It’s a type of cybercrime where an attacker illicitly uses someone else’s computer to mine cryptocurrency without their knowledge or consent. This stealthy and harmful activity essentially hijacks a device’s processing power for the attacker’s personal gain.

How Does Cryptojacking Work?

Cryptojacking typically employs one of two main methods to infect a victim’s device:

Browser-Based Cryptojacking: This is the most common method. The attacker embeds a malicious JavaScript code on a website or an online ad network. When a user visits the compromised website, the code automatically runs, turning their browser into a covert cryptocurrency miner. The user might notice their computer slowing down, the fan spinning faster, or the battery draining quickly. Closing the browser tab usually stops the mining process, but some advanced scripts can keep the browser active in the background, even after the window is closed.
File-Based Cryptojacking: This method is more aggressive and persistent. It involves the attacker tricking the victim into downloading a malicious file. This malware, often disguised as a legitimate programme or an email attachment, quietly installs itself on the device. Once installed, it runs in the background, continuously mining cryptocurrency. Unlike the browser-based method, this type of cryptojacking can continue even after the computer is restarted and is much harder to remove.

The Impact of Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking can have significant negative consequences for both individuals and businesses.

Performance Degradation: The most immediate effect is a noticeable drop in your device’s performance. The malicious script or software uses up a significant amount of your CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) power, making applications sluggish, games laggy, and overall user experience frustrating.
Increased Energy Consumption and Hardware Damage: Cryptocurrency mining is an intensive process that requires a lot of energy. This leads to a higher electricity bill. More worryingly, the continuous high load on your hardware components, especially the CPU and GPU, can cause them to overheat, potentially leading to permanent damage over time.
Security Vulnerabilities: A cryptojacking attack often serves as an entry point for more severe cyber threats. The malware could be part of a larger scheme to steal personal information, capture passwords, or even deploy ransomware.
Risks for Businesses: For companies, cryptojacking can severely impact the performance of employee computers and corporate networks. It can lead to an overload of data centre resources, disrupting business continuity and resulting in significant financial losses.

How to Protect Yourself from Cryptojacking

Protecting yourself from cryptojacking is about being proactive and using the right tools.

Install Security Software: A robust and up-to-date antivirus programme is your first line of defence. It can detect and block malicious software and scripts before they can do any harm.
Keep Your Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, web browser, and all other software. Software developers release updates to patch security vulnerabilities that hackers often exploit.
Use Ad Blockers and Anti-Mining Extensions: Ad-blocking extensions are highly effective against browser-based cryptojacking as they can block malicious ads and scripts. There are also specific browser extensions designed to detect and block cryptocurrency mining scripts.
Be Wary of Suspicious Emails: Never open attachments or click on links from unknown or suspicious senders. This is a common way for attackers to deliver file-based cryptojacking malware.
Check Website Security: Always check if a website is secure (look for ‘https’ in the URL). Avoid browsing on websites that seem suspicious or untrustworthy.
Educate Yourself: Understanding the signs of cryptojacking and how it works is one of the best ways to protect yourself. Being able to spot the red flags is a crucial skill in today’s digital landscape.

The Legal and Future Landscape of Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is illegal in most countries, but prosecuting these crimes can be difficult. Cybercriminals often use sophisticated methods to conceal their identities, making it challenging for law enforcement to track them down.

The future of cryptojacking is closely tied to the cryptocurrency market. As the value of cryptocurrencies increases, so does the motivation for cryptojacking attacks. However, as cybersecurity technology evolves and public awareness grows, the ability to combat these threats will also improve.

Final Thoughts

Cryptojacking is a serious cybercrime that exploits a device’s processing power for illicit gain. It can lead to significant performance issues, hardware damage, and security risks. By taking basic precautions like using security software, keeping your systems updated, and being mindful of your online activities, you can effectively protect yourself from this growing threat.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, they are not the same. Cryptocurrency mining is a legitimate process. Cryptojacking is a cybercrime. The key difference lies in consent. Legitimate miners knowingly use their own resources, whereas cryptojackers illegally exploit a victim’s resources without their knowledge.

Look for these telltale signs:

A sudden and unexplained drop in your computer’s performance.
The fans running at full speed and making a lot of noise.
Your battery draining much faster than usual.
High CPU or GPU usage in your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) even when you are not running any demanding applications.

No, cryptojacking can affect any internet-connected device, including smartphones, tablets, and even servers. While mobile devices have less processing power, they are still a viable target for attackers.

Yes, you can. For browser-based attacks, simply closing the compromised browser tab is usually enough. For file-based attacks, you will need to run a full scan with a trusted antivirus programme to detect and remove the malicious software.

The most common victims are often individuals with low cybersecurity awareness and small businesses with weak security measures. Attackers tend to target the path of least resistance.

Cryptojacking discreetly uses your resources to mine cryptocurrency, and the victim typically doesn’t suffer a direct financial loss. Ransomware, on the other hand, encrypts a victim’s files and demands a ransom payment to unlock them. Ransomware is a much more destructive and direct attack.

No. The sole purpose of cryptojacking is to mine cryptocurrencies. Without the existence of cryptocurrencies, cryptojacking would have no motive.