Is your browser slower than normal? Hackers could be mining Bitcoin on your computer without you ever knowing, warn experts
Networks and machines are being taken over in a process called cryptojacking
Computers are secretly put to use in mining cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin
Users may not even know its happened although devices may slow down
Among high profile targets was a public Wi-fi at a Starbucks in Buenos Aires
By TIM COLLINS
DAILYMAIL.COM
14 December 2017
Over the past year, Bitcoin has seen its value increase by 1,000 per cent, so its perhaps unsurprising that its become an attractive target for hackers.
In a process called cryptojacking, cyber criminals are taking over networks and computers to put them to use in mining the cryptocurrency and others like it.
Among recent high profile targets was a public Wi-fi at a Starbucks, where suspicious code was found that turned visitors’ devices into money makers for crooks.
Noah Dinkin, chief executive of email provider Stensul, raised the alarm after visiting one of the coffee shop’s franchises in Buenos Aires.
He discovered that anyone who connected to the store’s hotspot was at risk of having their gadgets put to work mining Monero, another digital currency.
Writing on Twitter, he said: ‘Hi @Starbucks @StarbucksAr did you know that your in-store wifi provider in Buenos Aires forces a 10-second delay when you first connect to the wifi so it can mine bitcoin using a customer’s laptop?
‘Feels a little off-brand.’
Starbucks was quick to respond and took action with a third party Wi-fi supplier to remove the malicious code.
A spokesman said: ‘We want to ensure that our customers are able to search the internet over Wi-Fi securely, so we will always work closely with our service provider when something like this comes up.
The Rest…HERE
