Cryptojacking Explained: A Protection Guide

Cryptocurrency gave rise to a new kind of economy, one that is fast, decentralized, and bank-free. However, 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.

What Does Cryptojacking Mean?

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 starts 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, as opposed to other types of cybercrime:

• It doesn't require your attention. The point about the cryptojacking malware is that it doesn't require your attention once it's installed on your device. The hacker does not even need to communicate with you to get what he wants.
• It doesn’t raise alarms. There is no ransom note, error message, or usually any kind of warning. This is why so many victims do not realize they have been compromised until weeks or months later.
• It works “behind the scenes,” day and night. The longer it can operate undetected, the more profit it brings: “The ransomware virus may have got you the first time, but the cryptojacking will continue to run provided it doesn’t get detected.”
• It is more difficult to trace, as there is no financial transaction that takes place between the victim and the cryptojacker. Moreover, there is no actual communication that can be traced in order to determine who is behind the cryptojacking attack, compared to other threats.

One computer may not make much money. However, to infect hundreds or thousands of computers, that is a money-making machine.

What Makes 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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

5 Common Signs of Cryptojacking

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 have unknowingly seen power bills spike. If your system is running full throttle around the clock, that cost shows up eventually.

After learning about the red flags of cryptojacking, our immediate requirement is to learn how we can protect our devices from it.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Avoid sketchy websites

If a site seems fishy or overloaded with pop-ups, 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 strangely and you suspect cryptojacking, here’s what to do:

• Open your task manager and look for any unusual processes: Check for any processes with an unreasonable amount of CPU use when you are not doing much resource-intensive work. If you find any process with an unusual name, look it up online.
• Run a full malware scan: Run trusted security software to scan your system. Ensure it’s updated and perform the full drive system scan. Remove all files marked malicious and unknown.
• Look at browser extensions and remove cache: Remove any extensions that you do not recognize or have not used recently. Clear out your browser history and cache. This stops any ongoing cryptocurrency mining processes.
• Remove any unknown apps: If the problem occurred after you installed a program, uninstall that program. Many cryptojacking attacks consist of fake applications.
• Reboot into "Safe Mode," if necessary: If you're experiencing problems after running the virus scan, you can also do a "Safe Mode" reboot. This makes it simpler to detect the problem by limiting what is running when you start up.

These actions will protect you against this silent scam called cryptojacking

Cryptojacking: Legal or Illegal

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

Whether it is your phone, laptop, or browser that someone uses without your permission, it's exploitation. Some attacks actually break fraud and computer misuse laws. If the malware came with 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 go to anonymous wallets. This makes tracking and prosecution difficult. A few nations are beginning to take cryptojacking as seriously as ransomware, and it is only now 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.

Click here to find more information on getting back lost funds and ways in which you can guard your finances against future threats.