{"id":44181,"date":"2023-10-12T19:34:43","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T16:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saudishopper.com.sa\/en\/?p=44181"},"modified":"2026-03-28T04:11:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T01:11:38","slug":"is-your-computer-getting-slow-hackers-may-be-using-it-to-mine-crypto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saudishopper.com.sa\/en\/is-your-computer-getting-slow-hackers-may-be-using-it-to-mine-crypto\/","title":{"rendered":"Is your computer getting slow? Hackers may be using it to mine crypto\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cybersecurity experts warn users about crypto malware \u2014 a new way criminals use their victim\u2019s devices to earn money<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A survey by NordVPN<\/a> showed that every third user is afraid of losing access to the files on their computer due to a cyberattack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Experts notice that even though the scenario of losing a piece of private information is scary for many people, there are other ways cybercriminals can profit from hacking someone\u2019s device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe new type of malware we see spreading is crypto malware. The biggest problem is that it is difficult to detect for an average computer user because no data is lost,\u201d says Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity advisor at NordVPN<\/a>. \u201cYou may think you don\u2019t need to worry because you don\u2019t own or have never used cryptocurrency. But crypto mining malware doesn\u2019t typically include hackers stealing funds from the victim\u2019s cryptocurrency wallet, just using their device to mine. And as a result \u2014 making the victim\u2019s device very slow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criminals  mine crypto using their victims\u2019 resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mining cryptocurrency requires a lot of computer power to solve complex mathematical puzzles, adding new blocks of transactions to the blockchain. Once all the problems in a block are solved, the miners get their rewards in cryptocurrency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the problem is that the process is very slow and requires an incredible amount of processing power. In fact, the electricity a computer generates would probably cost more than the cryptocurrency it could mine. That is why cybercriminals look for ways to mine cryptocurrency using other people\u2019s devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By infecting a network of computers with malware , hackers can mine crypto while using their victims\u2019 electricity, devices, and computing power to increase their profits. Victims might not even notice that their device is mining crypto. The only sign may be slower performance and overheated devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the ways to detect malware \u2014 check if your computer gets hot or slow<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDetecting crypto malware on your device can be very difficult. It\u2019s designed to be as stealthy as possible. However, certain signs can help you determine that your device may have been infected,\u201d says Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity advisor at NordVPN. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first sign that your device may be mining some criminal crypto in the background is that the device gets significantly slower<\/strong>. Another sign is an overheated device with the fan always on. Lastly, the CPU (central processing unit) usage will be very high if your device gets infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to prevent your device from being infected, here are several actions you can take:<\/p>\n\n\n\n