What Is Cryptojacking and How Can You Protect Yourself?

Cryptocurrency gave rise to a new kind of economy, one that is fast, decentralized, and bank-free. But that freedom also has its own set of threats. The crypto space has countless threats, which are designed to exploit users in different ways, from stealing funds to tracking wallets or even hijacking systems without any warning. One of those threats doesn’t steal your funds directly. Instead, it hijacks your device and forces it to work for someone else. That’s cryptojacking.

Unlike phishing or wallet hacks, cryptojacking isn’t loud. It doesn’t break your system or lock you out. Instead, it sits quietly in the background, using your device’s power to mine coins for attackers. In such cases, most people don’t even realize it’s happening. The worst part is that additional device power usage increases your electricity bill while someone else collects those profits.

In this article, we’ll discuss how cryptojacking works, why cybercriminals love it, and how one can protect oneself from being used.

Understanding Cryptojacking and Its Working

At its core, cryptojacking is about using someone’s computer without their permission to mine cryptocurrency.

It usually takes place in 2 ways:

• When one downloads a file or visits a website, a script starts running quietly in the background.
• Or malicious code is slipped into one’s system through an ad, a browser extension, or a fake app.

Once the code is running, your CPU or GPU starts working harder than usual. Along with helping you with tasks, it also starts working for the attacker by solving cryptographic puzzles to earn them coins. You pay for the electricity, and your hardware takes the hit, but the attacker takes the profits.

Most cryptojacking attacks go after coins like Monero, which are easier to mine on regular devices and harder to trace.

What makes this attack so dangerous is how hidden and effective it is. You’re not locked out of your files. Your accounts aren’t stolen. Your system just starts getting slower, noisier, and hotter, all while generating profits for someone else.

Why Cybercriminals Prefer Cryptojacking Over Other Attacks

Here’s why many attackers like it more than other types of cybercrime:

1. It doesn’t need your attention: Once cryptojacking malware is installed, it just keeps running. The attacker doesn’t have to talk to you or make demands. There’s no interaction; it’s passive theft.
2. It doesn’t raise alarms: There’s no ransom note, no error message, and usually no obvious sign of alert. That’s why many victims don’t even realize they’ve been compromised for weeks or months.
3. It runs in the background, 24/7: The longer it stays hidden, the more money it makes. If the ransomware gets you once, cryptojacking can keep running indefinitely if it goes unnoticed.
4. It’s harder to track: Since there’s no financial transaction between the victim and the attacker, and no real communication, tracing who’s behind a cryptojacking attack is more difficult than with many other threats.
5. It works at scale: One infected device might not earn much. But to infect hundreds or thousands of devices makes cryptojacking a steady cash stream.

Why Is Cryptojacking So Hard to Detect?

The main reason cryptojacking is tough to spot is that it doesn’t behave like traditional malware. It’s more like a parasite than a virus, something that drains resources without causing a total crash.

Here’s why most people miss it:

1. No alerts or pop-ups: Most users expect malware to trigger warnings or antivirus notifications. Cryptojacking doesn’t do that. It just quietly consumes system power.
2. Resource usage looks normal (at first): If your browser or laptop gets hot, you might blame it on too many tabs or heavy apps. That’s what the attacker is counting on.
3. Scripts are often disguised: Some scripts run inside your browser while you’re on a specific website. Others are built into apps or extensions you trust.
4. Target Performance: It targets performance, not data. Since it doesn’t steal passwords or files, it slips past many traditional security checks.

The goal isn’t to harm your data, it’s to stay unnoticed. That’s what makes it so effective.

Common Signs Your Device Might Be Used For Cryprojacking

Even though cryptojacking hides really well, it does leave behind signs if you know what to look for:

1. Unusual CPU or GPU usage: If your fans are running louder than usual, or your device gets hot while doing simple tasks, something might be wrong. Check your task manager. If a strange process is eating up your processor, it could be mining crypto.
2. System slows down unexpectedly: Opening files, switching between tabs, or even typing might feel laggy. These are subtle slowdowns that build up over time. If nothing else has changed, that’s a clue.
3. Battery drains faster than usual: Mining crypto burns through power. On a laptop or phone, this often means poor battery life, even when you’re not doing anything heavy.
4. Browser crashes or lags on specific websites: Some websites run cryptojacking scripts in your browser. If one tab causes your device to freeze or heat up, it’s worth investigating.
5. You notice your electricity bill rising: In extreme cases, people running desktops or mining rigs unknowingly have seen power bills spike. If your system is running full throttle around the clock, that cost shows up eventually.

How to Protect Yourself from Cryptojacking?

You can’t always prevent someone from trying to mine through your device. But you can make sure they don’t succeed:

Use security software that detects cryptojacking: Not all antivirus tools catch mining malware. Look for software that scans for unusual CPU usage or browser-based mining scripts. Some tools also specifically advertise cryptojacking protection.

1. Install browser extensions that block mining scripts: Add-ons like No Coin or MinerBlock stop known mining domains from running scripts in your browser. These tools are light, free, and effective.
2. Keep your system and browser up to date: Many cryptojacking exploits rely on outdated software. Regular updates patch those vulnerabilities and reduce your risk of being targeted.
3. Be careful with browser extensions and apps: Don’t install random add-ons or “free tools” unless you trust the source. Many fake browser extensions include hidden mining code.
4. Use an ad-blocker: Some cryptojacking scripts are delivered through ads. A strong ad-blocker reduces the chance of a drive-by mining attack while browsing.
5. Avoid sketchy websites: If a site seems fishy or overloaded with popups, it might be running scripts behind the scenes. Stay away from unknown crypto tools or clone websites of exchanges.

Steps to Take If You Think You've Been Targeted

If your system starts acting strange and you suspect cryptojacking, here’s what to do:

1. Open your task manager and check for unusual activity: Look for processes using too much CPU, especially when you’re not doing anything heavy. If something looks suspicious, search its name online.
2. Run a full malware scan: Use a trusted security tool to scan your system. Make sure it's updated and scan your entire drive. Remove anything flagged as malicious or unknown.
3. Check browser extensions and clear your cache: Remove any extensions you don’t recognize or no longer use. Clear your browser history and cache. This resets any active in-browser mining sessions.
4. Uninstall any unfamiliar apps: If the slowdown started after you installed a program, get rid of it. Many cryptojacking tools are bundled with fake software.
5. Reboot into Safe Mode (if needed): If your system is still misbehaving, boot into Safe Mode and run another scan. This limits what programs run on startup, making it easier to spot the problem.

Is Cryptojacking Illegal? and How Are Authorities Handling It?

Cryptojacking is illegal, even though it doesn’t look as aggressive as other attacks. It’s still considered unauthorized use of your resources. 

Whether someone is using your phone, laptop, or browser without permission, it’s a form of exploitation. Some attacks violate fraud and computer misuse laws. If the malware was delivered through phishing or targeted ads, it often crosses into criminal territory.

Catching cryptojackers isn’t easy. The scripts are often hosted on foreign servers, and the profits are sent to anonymous wallets. This makes tracking and prosecution difficult. Some nations are beginning to take cryptojacking as seriously as ransomware, and it is only starting to catch up with enforcement.

If you or someone else you know became a victim of online fraud and financial scams, you can consult Financial Recovery Experts to find more information on getting back lost funds and how you can guard your finances against future threats.