Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking is a term used in the field of computer science to describe a type of cyber attack where a hacker takes control of a person’s computer or mobile device without their knowledge in order to mine cryptocurrency. It’s like a bad guy sneaking into your backyard and using your swimming pool to fill their own buckets, without your permission or knowledge.
Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that is created and exchanged using encryption techniques. Mining is the process of generating new cryptocurrency by solving complex mathematical problems. This uses a lot of computational power and energy, which can be expensive if you do it on your own.
Hackers use cryptojacking as a way to make money without having to invest in expensive hardware or electricity. They can use malware or computer viruses to infect your device and make it work on their behalf. They do this by running code in the background that utilizes your device’s processing power to solve mathematical problems and generate cryptocurrency.
Cryptojacking can slow down your device and cause it to overheat, which can damage the hardware. It can also cause your energy bill to increase without you knowing why.
To protect yourself from cryptojacking, it is important to keep your anti-virus software up to date and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown software.