Understanding Cryptojacking: A Guide to Shielding Yourself from Malicious Software
In the digital age, a new form of cyber threat has emerged, known as cryptojacking. This malicious intervention targets computers and mobile devices, using their processing power for cryptocurrency mining. Anyone can become a victim of a cryptojacking attack, making it crucial to take prompt security measures.
Cryptojacking operates by solving difficult mathematical problems to add new blocks to a blockchain. This process is often configured to tunnel depending on the device and uses encrypted DNS to remain quiet. The code for such attacks can be built in various languages, including JavaScript, Go, Ruby, Shell, Python, PowerShell, and more.
One of the most infamous cryptojacking attacks occurred in 2018, targeting the largest cryptocurrency miner, Coinhive. More recently, in October 2022, a cryptojacking campaign was discovered using a known DLL sideloading vulnerability in OneDrive.
Cryptojacking attacks can spread through various channels, such as Internet advertisements, emails, websites, cloud services, and mobile or desktop applications. In fact, 95% of attacks on compromised cloud servers are aimed at hidden mining of cryptocurrencies.
To protect your devices, installing reliable antivirus software is recommended. Ad Blockers can also help shield devices from cryptojacking scripts delivered through web ads. Keeping browser extensions updated to the latest version and purging unneeded ones can further help prevent such attacks.
Using browser extensions that detect or block cryptojacking scripts is beneficial. Disabling JavaScript is an extreme measure to protect against cryptojacking but may disable various features on websites.
Unfortunately, cryptojacking code can be small enough to be discreetly inserted into open source libraries and dependencies. This makes it challenging to prevent all attacks. However, staying vigilant and keeping software updated can help minimise the risk.
It's important to note that cryptojacking can be considered a form of theft and can result in serious penalties if used for malicious purposes. Organisations such as Microsoft, Tesla, and Jenkins have been affected by cryptojacking incidents in recent years.
In the financial sector, cryptojacking attacks have increased by 269%. In the first half of 2022, there were 66.7 million episodes of cryptojacking, representing a 30% increase over the same period in 2021.
In 2021, macOS computers were found to have been used by fraudsters for hidden cryptocurrency mining for 5 years. This underscores the need for constant vigilance and the importance of taking proactive steps to protect your devices from this growing threat.
In conclusion, while the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too do the threats that come with it. By staying informed, taking proactive measures, and keeping software updated, you can help protect your devices from the rising threat of cryptojacking.
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