{"id":93718,"date":"2019-01-12T07:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-01-12T15:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=93718"},"modified":"2025-08-25T08:38:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T15:38:19","slug":"cryptojacking-up-4000-how-you-can-block-the-bad-guys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/cryptojacking-up-4000-how-you-can-block-the-bad-guys\/","title":{"rendered":"Cryptojacking Up 4,000% How You Can Block the Bad Guys"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CryptojackingThink about it: In the course of your everyday activities \u2014 like grocery shopping or riding public transportation \u2014 the human body comes in contact with an infinite number of germs. In much the same way, as we go about our digital routines \u2014 like shopping, browsing, or watching videos \u2014\u00a0our devices can also pick up countless, undetectable malware or javascript that can infect our devices.<\/p>\n

Which is why it\u2019s possible that hackers may be using malware or script to siphon power from your computer \u2014 power they desperately need to fuel their cryptocurrency mining business.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Cryptocurrency?<\/h2>\n

Whoa, let\u2019s back up. What\u2019s cryptocurrency and why would people rip off other people\u2019s computer power to get it? Cryptocurrencies are virtual coins that have a real monetary value attached to them. Each crypto transaction is verified and added to the public ledger (also called a blockchain). The single public ledger can\u2019t be changed without fulfilling certain conditions. These transactions are compiled by cryptocurrency miners who compete with one another by solving the complex mathematical equations attached to the exchange. Their reward for solving the equation is bitcoin, which in the crypto world can equal thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n

Power Surge<\/h2>\n

\"CryptojackingHere\u2019s the catch: To solve these complex equations and get to crypto gold, crypto miners need a lot more hardware power than the average user possesses. So, inserting malicious code into websites, apps, and ads \u2014 and hoping you click \u2014 allows malicious crypto miners to siphon power from other people\u2019s computers without their consent.<\/p>\n

While mining cryptocurrency can often be a harmless hobby when malware or site code is attached to drain unsuspecting users CPU power, it\u2019s considered cryptojacking, and it\u2019s becoming more common.<\/a><\/p>\n

Are you feeling a bit vulnerable? You aren\u2019t alone. According to the most recent McAfee Labs Threats Report<\/a>, cryptojacking has grown more than 4,000% in the past year.<\/p>\n

Have you been hit?<\/h2>\n

One sign that you’ve been affected is that your computer or smartphone may slow down or have more glitches than normal. Crypto mining code runs quietly in the background while you go about your everyday work or browsing and it can go undetected for a long time.<\/p>\n