Crypto mining malware is a software program that has been developed to steal away a computer’s resources without knowledge or permission of owner. The access is further used by cybercriminals for cryptocurrency mining.

According to Symantec’s latest annual security threat landscape report, cryptocurrency miners grew by 8500 percent in 2017.

Unlike other ransomware and phishing attacks, the main purpose of crypto jacking is to inject crypto mining malware into the system, create a nuisance and earn cryptocurrency. If the crypto mining software is injected on a system with critical and high- availability assets then the computational resources can become unusable for their primary business functions.

How To Detect It?

The mining malware runs in the background and so a common user does not realize what is happening. It generally seizes your computer’s Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). This will slow down other processes and bring them to a halt. Overheating, crashes, slow response time and unusual network activity i.e. connections to mining related websites and IP addresses are things you must take a note of.
Although following these simple steps can be of some help:

  • Set up a network monitoring solution.
  • Monitor your websites for crypto mining codes.
  • Make yourself aware about the recent crypto mining trends.

Types Of Miners

There are 3 main types of miners:

  • Browser Based Cryptocurrency Miners – They are JavaScript miners that perform their work in an internet browser. They consume the resources till the browser remains open on the website. Some website owners use these miners intentionally in place of running ads while sometimes they are injected into websites without the knowledge of the website owner.
  • Executables – Specifically designed for the purpose of crypto mining, they are Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) executable files (.exe) placed on the computer.
  • Advanced Fileless Miners – The malware does the mining in a computer’s memory. It generally misuses system resources to do so.

How To Protect Yourself Against It?

  • You can use an extension that blocks the most JavaScript miners to protect yourself from the crypto mining malware.
  • Use a strong antivirus software to protect yourself from unsecure websites, viruses and malwares.
  • Update your operating system every now and then to protect yourself from vulnerabilities.
    Keep your web filtering tools up to date.

For more information on protection from Crypto Mining Malware, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213-4740.