Performance and Security Analysis of
Browser Crypto-Mining
What is Browser Crypto Mining?
Browser Crypto-Mining is defined as the practice of embedding of a Crypto-Mining script into the code of a website to allow the owner access to the visitors' computer resources for the purpose of mine cryptocurrencies for the duration of the visit to the site. This can be done with or without the users knowledge.
Background
The web economy traditionally relies on advertisements to gather revenue from free-to-use websites and applications.This business model is based on an inferred agreement between content providers and users where viewing ads pays for the “free” content. This traditional revenue model has recently been complemented by browser based crypto-mining.
Crypto-mining produces new blocks in the blockchain which means solving a computationally expensive puzzle to link the new block in the chain to the previous one. The miners are awarded currency for every mined block. This reward makes browser-based mining a way to monetize the web.
Due to the recent spike in popularity, cryptocurrencies have become a more competitive market and therefore are more difficult to mine. In order to increase the productivity of mining; miners either utilize more powerful hardware or in the case of browser based mining; the pooled computational resources of website visitors. Monero, a cryptocurrency launched in 2014 reduced the need for powerful, expensive hardware with an average block rate of 2 minutes per block. This made browser-based mining a viable monetizing option, since blocks could now be mined much faster. Making Monero a good choice for hackers, which inevitably lead to the decrease in Monero's value.
Cryptojacking
As with most innovative products, people always find ways to misuse them. Cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of someones computer resources in order to mine cryptocurrencies. This is a popular use for Browser Crypto-mining, as hackers embed scripts into well known sites to use their visitors computer resources to mine cryptocurrencies. As this becomes more popular more and more sites are finding themselves affected by these kinds of attacks.
Sharing The Profits
With the introduction of these services it makes crypto-mining much easier for less technical users to mine cryptocurrencies. Many sites installed scripts to Browser Crypto-Mine with the capability of sharing their cryptocurrencies with their users. Users are notified that their computer resources are being utilized by the site to Crypto-Mine and are instructed how to register to collect a portion of the profits they help Crypto-Mine.
Security Measures
With the introduction of software services like this security concerns always arise. Many browsers have implemented settings to block the usage of your computer resources by the sites you visit. Most anti-virus and anti-malware software also provides services to protect you from all forms of cryptojacking. The key signs that suggest your computer may be being used to crypto-mine include:
High Processor Use
Unusually Slow Response Times
Overheating