• Posted by: Eng. Donya Bino
• October 01, 2024

Cryptojacking: The Hidden Threat Hijacking Your Computing Power

As cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to grow in popularity, so do the cyber threats associated with them. One such threat is cryptojacking, a malicious activity where cybercriminals hijack your device’s resources to mine cryptocurrency without your consent. This covert operation can severely slow down your devices, increase electricity usage, and leave systems vulnerable to further attacks—all while the attacker reaps the benefits.

What is Cryptojacking?

Cryptojacking occurs when malware infects a device or website and uses the device’s processing power (CPU or GPU) to mine cryptocurrencies. The mining process requires significant computational power to solve complex mathematical puzzles, allowing cybercriminals to earn digital currency at the victim’s expense. It’s a silent attack; most users are unaware of it unless they notice performance degradation or investigate the cause of their system’s slowdown.

Cryptojacking attacks typically occur in two main forms:

1. Malicious Scripts on Websites: Attackers can inject cryptomining scripts into websites, causing visitors’ browsers to mine cryptocurrency as long as they stay on the infected site. This form of cryptojacking doesn’t require downloading malware—it happens passively in the background.
2. Malware Infections: Cybercriminals can distribute cryptojacking malware through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or compromised software. Once installed, the malware runs silently, using your computer’s resources to mine cryptocurrency.

How Does Cryptojacking Work?

Cryptojacking typically works through JavaScript-based mining scripts. These scripts are embedded in websites, emails, or software and initiate mining as soon as the user opens the infected resource. While some websites may openly disclose that they are using your computer to mine cryptocurrency in exchange for services, most cryptojacking is done without user consent.

Once the script or malware is running, it starts using your device’s processing power to solve the mathematical puzzles that are essential for cryptocurrency mining. The mined currency is then sent to the attacker’s wallet, while your system bears the cost in terms of reduced performance and higher energy consumption.

Signs Your System Might Be Cryptojacked

Unlike traditional malware, cryptojacking often doesn’t harm your data directly, but the impact on system performance is noticeable. Here are common signs that cryptojacking may be affecting your system:

1. Reduced Performance: Your computer runs significantly slower than usual, applications lag, and the system may freeze intermittently.
2. Overheating: Cryptojacking places a heavy load on your CPU or GPU, which can cause your device to overheat or the fan to run more frequently.
3. Increased Power Usage: Since mining is resource-intensive, cryptojacking results in higher electricity consumption, particularly on desktops and servers.
4. Unexplained CPU Usage: A sudden and persistent spike in CPU or GPU usage, even when no resource-heavy applications are running, could be a sign of cryptojacking.

Famous Cryptojacking Incidents

1. Coinhive Incident:
   One of the most famous cryptojacking operations was Coinhive, a legitimate JavaScript-based cryptocurrency mining service. It allowed websites to embed a script that used visitors' CPU power to mine Monero. However, it quickly became a tool for cybercriminals who embedded it into websites without user consent, impacting thousands of users.
2. Tesla Cloud Cryptojacking:
   In 2018, Tesla’s cloud environment was compromised, and attackers installed cryptojacking malware. The malware utilized Tesla’s cloud servers to mine cryptocurrency, demonstrating that even large enterprises are not immune to these attacks.
3. YouTube Ads Incident:
   In another high-profile case, hackers used YouTube ads to inject cryptojacking scripts into users' browsers, causing millions of YouTube users’ systems to unknowingly mine cryptocurrency while they watched videos.

How to Protect Yourself from Cryptojacking

1. Use Anti-Cryptojacking Browser Extensions:
   Several browser extensions, like NoCoin and MinerBlock, are designed to detect and block cryptomining scripts on websites. These extensions ensure that even if you visit an infected site, the cryptojacking script won’t run on your device.
2. Keep Software and Security Tools Updated:
   Regularly update your operating system, web browsers, and security tools. Many cryptojacking attacks take advantage of outdated software with vulnerabilities. A good antivirus program can also detect and block cryptojacking malware.
3. Monitor CPU Usage:
   Keep an eye on your CPU or GPU usage, especially when browsing the web. Unexplained spikes in resource usage can be a sign of cryptojacking. Task managers or resource monitors on your device can help you detect unusual activity.
4. Disable JavaScript on Untrusted Websites:
   Since cryptojacking scripts are often JavaScript-based, disabling JavaScript in your browser (or using browser settings that disable it on untrusted websites) can help prevent cryptojacking.
5. Use Ad Blockers:
   Many cryptojacking scripts are delivered through malicious ads. Using ad blockers can prevent these ads from loading and protect your system from mining scripts.
6. Conduct Regular Security Audits:
   For businesses, conducting regular security audits of your network and cloud infrastructure can help identify cryptojacking malware or unauthorized processes that are consuming resources.

The Future of Cryptojacking

As long as cryptocurrency remains profitable, cryptojacking is likely to continue evolving. Cybercriminals are continuously developing new ways to evade detection and infect more devices. As businesses and individuals increasingly rely on connected devices and cloud infrastructure, cryptojacking presents a persistent and growing challenge.

However, advancements in cybersecurity solutions, awareness, and better browser and network defenses are helping users and organizations combat cryptojacking. The key is to stay vigilant, keep systems up to date, and implement the right security measures to prevent your devices from being hijacked by cryptojackers