The number of threats against cryptocurrency users continues to increase. Cryptojacking has been a big problem which only grows worse. New statistics confirm over 415,000 routers globally now mine cryptocurrencies. A very worrisome trend which seemingly can’t be stopped at this time.
The Growing Popularity of Cryptojacking
Not too long ago, initial reports of cryptojacking caused concern. At that time, over 150,000 routers were affected by cryptocurrency mining malware. Those who think things have improved since then will be sorely disappointed. The number of infected devices continues to grow at an alarming rate, now reaching over 415,000. It is seemingly a matter of time until the 500,000 devices threshold is reached.
Similar to the previous report, MikroTik routers remain a pressing problem. These machines are highly susceptible to cryptocurrency mining malware for some unknown reason. Moreover, a more worrisome aspect regarding this attack has become more apparent. Initial attacks focused on Brazil, but cryptojacking is now a genuine global threat.
Infected devices can be found virtually all over the world. The U.S., Europe, Asia, and even Africa are all well-represented. This further confirms MikroTik is a successful brand, although not for the right reasons in this regard. There is a good chance the number of malware-infected devices will continue to rise as more time progresses. Finding a solution is direly needed in this regard.
The Hunt for Monero Continues
As has been the case in the cryptojacking industry, criminals continue to find ways to obtain Monero. This altcoin is anonymous and privacy-oriented. That makes it very different from Bitcoin and also less traceable. One particular development is how the global mining malware attack doesn’t solely focus on CoinHive any longer. Instead, a diversified arsenal of mining software is being used today.
Some of the new tools include Omine and CoinImp. Although CoinHive is still very present, exploring other options can often yield better results in the long run for those placing the malware. Online crime is an ever-evolving business, just like any other. Additionally, Monero remains an appealing option for mining in general. It does not require special hardware to do so. Instead, any computer can mine this cryptocurrency, as long as it is connected to the Internet.
For now, it seems this global cryptojacking threat will continue to grow. A lot of affected modems are deployed by ISPs to their clients. As such, those individuals have no idea how to update their software. Moreover, depending on the ISP, performing manual updates may not even be possible. This creates a worrisome scenario which cannot be resolved in a straightforward manner. A patch was distributed by MikroTik many months ago. For some reason, it is not being deployed by most of the ISPs at this time.
What do you think about the continuing rise in cryptocurrency mining malware? Let us know in the comments below.
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