Hackers are targeting your phone to mine cryptocurrency (cryptojacking)


Is there a sudden change in the functionality of your phone, such that it has become warmed up, slow and drains battery for no reason? If yes, it may be under cryptojack (a cyber attack used to mine cryptocurrencies).

Legally mining cryptocurrencies, involves linking thousands of processors together to increase the computing power available to earn cryptocurrencies. Though profitable, it requires considerable amount of resources and consumes power.

Hackers on the other hand, have resorted to exploiting smartphone processors by maliciously hiding Trojan Horse associated with cryptocurrencies in mobile apps or programmes and sometimes through the web pages you visit.
This event of cryptojacking does not seem to be on the decrease. David Emm, a security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, a leading supplier of computer security and antivirus software said, “More and more mobile applications hiding Trojan horses associated to a cryptocurrency mining programme have appeared on the platforms in the last 12 months”.

On smartphones, the mining slows the operation of the phone and makes it warm to touch as the processor struggles to unlock cryptocurrency and accomplish other tasks. On android devices, the computational load can lead to distention of the battery and hence physical damage or destruction of the device.

Cryptojacking affects mostly smartphones running Google’s Android OS. And as such, Google cleaned up its app store, Google Play, instructing programmers that it will no longer accept apps that mine crytocurrencies on its platform. Hackers have targeted iPhone less because Apple exercises more control over apps that can be installed on its phones.

A piece of advice, try to install antivirus programme to help against cryptojacking. Also update your phone to the latest version of OS available to it and do not download apps from non-official sources.


Source : [url]https://wongacity.com/is-your-smartphone-safe-from-cryptojacking/
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