Cybersecurity and hidden crypto-miners in UK and Ireland

Cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, is a prevalent modern digital currency. Its uniqueness is that it has no real physical form and is available only in the online world. Crypto was created as an analog of traditional money. Development prospects and the possibility of real calculation made this money a very popular payment instrument.

Cryptocurrency cannot be obtained traditionally. To use it, you need to mine. It is how crypto miners appeared. All this requires powerful computer equipment and a large amount of electricity. Even if you use cheap electricity, you need to spend a large amount of resources to mine crypto coins.

For this reason, a new type of fraud and cybercrime has appeared. It is called cryptojacking. And many ordinary users encounter it. In this review, Keyonline24 experts want to answer the key question: What is cryptojacking? You will also learn the danger of this phenomenon, how to detect it, and how to fight it.

The concept of cryptojacking

To understand the essence of this phenomenon in the world of cyber threats, you need to answer an important question - how do crypto miners work? Without going into details, the mining process is the transformation of resources of computer equipment into unique digital coins. Initially, many users wondered - what are crypto miners and why do they do this? Therefore, this phenomenon has become incredibly popular, in demand, and accessible to everyone. Mining crypto was as simple as possible, because it was enough to have an ordinary computer. But over time, this process turned into a real race, fierce competition, and struggle for coins.

Today, the best crypto miners have powerful and unique computer systems with special resources and high performance. It allows them to mine the coveted virtual coins around the clock. But since you need to spend a lot of money on equipment, as well as on electricity, a new format of cyber fraud has eventually appeared on the network. As you understand, we are talking about the cryptojacking definition. Fraudsters do not need to pay for expensive equipment and electricity. Instead, they penetrate the computers of their victims and obtain resources from their devices.

How it works in UK and Ireland

Cryptojacking can be described as a hidden scheme to use users' equipment and devices, such as tablets, PCs, laptops, smartphones, and even server equipment. At the same time, victims may not know or suspect that a cryptojacking script has penetrated their gadgets. It allows intruders to mine cryptocurrency secretly and without consent and waste the resources of vulnerable users.

In illegal mining, fraudsters steal computing resources, which are then converted into digital currency. Imagine that someone has connected to your power grid and is constantly taking off electricity. Thanks to such solutions, hackers can mine coins at the expense of victims with minimal financial costs and even using simple computer equipment.

The problem with this fraudulent scheme is that there is no criminal or administrative liability for it. The victims themselves often don't even suspect that cryptojacking software has been connected to them and that resources are being taken away in huge quantities. Most specialized solutions for illegal Bitcoin mining are designed to remain as invisible as possible. But this doesn't mean that Bitcoin miners don't cause you any harm.

How does infection occur

Understanding the essence of a cryptojacking attack and how it happens is imperative. After all, understanding the problem gives the opportunity to protect against it properly. Cybercriminals use several methods of penetrating other people's devices, including cloud cryptojacking tools.

One method works on the principle of classic malware. The user clicks on a link on a website or in an email. After that, a special code is downloaded to user’s device. When the infection occurs, the scammers gain access to the device and use its resources for mining. As a result the user is faced with a local threat that does not spread to other PCs.

The other option works on the principle of exploits. According to this method, scammers inject JavaScript code into web pages. It allows them to exploit the equipment of people who have visited the site.

Bitcoin mining was initially a relatively safe phenomenon. The owners of many websites openly offered visitors permission to mine cryptocurrency in exchange for some services, free access to content, and so on. As soon as users left the site, the mining system automatically turned off and stopped "eating" their resources. However, advanced versions of the codes allow you to use computers and other devices without permission, even if you have left the website. Most victims do not even suspect that they have visited a dangerous site, and now their PC resources are being spent on the interests of complete strangers.

How widespread is the problem of cryptojacking

In recent years, the spread of cryptojacking has reached genuinely incredible proportions. The rapid growth of cases of illegal mining of various cryptocurrencies began in 2017 and 2018. In 2018, Malwarebytes reports said that crypto jacking had become the most detected threat for the reporting year. Compared to 2017, the number of Android device infections has increased by 4000%.

Scammers continue to master new technologies and improved methods of penetrating other people's computers. Modern cryptojacking malware poses an increased threat to your security. Therefore, each user should take appropriate measures to prevent cybercriminals from accessing their resources.

What is the danger of hidden crypto-mining in UK and Ireland

Some users continue to think that a cryptojacking attack does not pose any serious threat. But this is a common misconception.

Such types of cyber attacks do not directly harm your data. That is, crypto mining is not aimed at stealing your data, demanding money, etc. The main goal is to gain access to your resources and use them for their own purposes. Some believe that this is not something to be afraid of. In practice, cryptojacking detection solutions are essential.

The main threat is your computer resources. And it does not matter whether a PC, laptop, smartphone, or tablet has been hacked. Fraudsters take away resources and use computing power. It can lead to various consequences:

• slowdown of devices;
• inability to launch some programs;
• slowly running games;
• difficulty in performing several tasks at the same time;
• increased power consumption;
• high utility bills;
• equipment overheating;
• physical wear and tear of devices;
• complete failure.

And if law-abiding miners spend a lot of money on powerful equipment and use renewable energy, then scammers simply take away your virtual property and spend your money.

The consequences of such attacks are felt most by the owners of large businesses where expensive, numerous computing equipment is used. Miners connect to these systems and spend vast amounts of money on entire enterprises. But even if you are an ordinary user, you definitely cannot allow scammers to use your kilowatts and your devices.

How to prevent hidden crypto-mining

Today, crypto cybersecurity is quite important and critical for many users and entire companies. Therefore, various methods of detecting and combating crypto scammers are being developed.

If you are interested in cybersecurity for crypto, then you need to learn how to detect hacking attempts and what to do in such a situation. The following basic steps will help you:

• updates;
• reinforcement of accounts;
• activation of the firewall;
• study of attack vectors;
• installation of security software.

Keyonline24 experts will tell you about each point in more detail.

Regular updates

If you do not know how to prevent cryptojacking, the first thing to do is to deal with the issue of regular updates. This concerns updating software, applications, and operating systems. To penetrate your devices, scammers use vulnerabilities. Updates are a way to close security gaps and ensure an increased level of security.

Accounts in UK and Ireland

Another way to stop crypto jacking is to strengthen your own accounts. To do this, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. This will prevent scammers from penetrating your accounts and activating malicious codes. The right solution is to divide the device into several accounts depending on the number of users or purposes for which it is used, such as work, study, everyday use, mining, and so on.

Firewall

Many users underestimate the firewall's functions and capabilities. Because of this, they can disable it or not configure it correctly. If you use a home router, be sure to activate the firewall.

An alternative option is to use specialized software that knows how to detect cryptojacking and will offer countermeasures to protect against the consequences of attacks. It will give scammers a minimum chance of taking over your resources.

Attack vectors in UK and Ireland

You must understand how miners penetrate your devices and what they use for this. Therefore, always be careful when opening suspicious links and attachments, downloading files from unverified sites, and so on. Try to use only original software and genuine activation keys. The Keyonline24 store is ready to offer such types of digital goods to its customers.

Security software

Last but not least, the key to successful protection is installing specialized crypto cybersecurity solutions. Today, many modern developers release antivirus packages that consist of a large set of functions and additional features, including crypto worm cybersecurity tools.

If you are interested in using the original software and want to get genuine activation keys, contact our online store. Keyonline24 specialists are ready to offer professional 24/7 support, trial periods for various programs and antiviruses, and the most favorable prices in North America and even worldwide!

It's time to close the doors to crypto scammers forever and optimize the use of your computing resources. For this, we have many different programs and specialized solutions.