You Should Be Worried About Cryptocurrency Mining Malware - Olmec Skip to main content

You Should Be Worried About Cryptocurrency Mining Malware

By December 3, 2018June 2nd, 2022Cybersecurity

In the world of data security, cryptocurrency mining software is often overlooked or discounted as a threat because it doesn’t do serious harm to the infected system.

It bleeds off computing resources, putting them to work for the miners who control the software, working for them to solve complex cryptographic puzzles which generate revenue for the hackers.  However, that’s not much of a direct threat.  As such, relatively few resources are put toward dealing with such infections.  They simply tend to be given a lower priority.

That’s almost certainly a mistake for a couple of different reasons:

First, the amount of computing power this type of malware eats up can be quite severe. In some cases, it utilizes up to fifty percent of the infecting computer’s processing power, which as you might expect, can dramatically impact system performance.

Second, and more troubling and problematic, is that the mining software establishes a beachhead on your network.  Once any type of mining software is installed and running on a target system, it’s in communication with the hackers’ command and control server.  Anytime the hackers choose to, they can use that connection to install more damaging malware on the target system, including keyloggers, scrapers, ransomware and the like.

Even worse, hackers can use their toehold inside your network to infect any other device that the initially infected PC is connected to on your network, which means that very quickly, you could go from having a single infected PC to having a network wide problem that can bring your company to its knees.

The bottom line is simply this:  Cryptojacking may not appear overly dangerous on the surface, but if they’re not dealt with quickly and decisively, they could open the door to much more significant issues.  Make sure your IT staff is giving these types of infections the attention they deserve.

Jason Manteiga

Jason J. Manteiga, Vice President of Olmec Systems, has been part of the company for over the past 20 years. He believes that having a great work environment and supportive team, is the ultimate key to success. Since being in the IT realm for over 25 years, Jason, along with Olmec Systems, has been on the Inc. 5000 “List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies” and Channel Futures MSP 501 “Top Managed Service Providers in North America,” along with other awards and nominations. Jason earned his Bachelor Degree in Information Systems from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He also holds certifications in Microsoft MCSE, VMWare VCP, and Cisco CCNA. In his spare time, Jason is a contributor for The Center for Social & Legal Research (Privacy Exchange) and a member of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. His hobbies include cycling and kayaking. He currently lives in New Jersey with his wife, two daughters and son.