Websites use your CPU to mine cryptocurrency even when you close your browser

[captain_to_fire]

Just now, DeadEyePsycho said:

The only thing that keeps me on Windows is games.

I use iTunes and Spotify a lot so that alone prevents me from using something like Ubuntu or OpenSUSE full time. Not to mention at work I use Microsoft Office which I still pay yearly so Windows 10 is somehow a necessary evil. 

 

But then it would spell complete disaster for Microsoft if they’re going so nefarious as to bundle crypto currency miners to the next Windows 10 major release and I don’t think they’ll do it. They already make so much money from hardware and services like Office, Azure, and others. 

[SansVarnic]

- Cleaned Thread -

 

Please remember to refrain from engaging in political discussion.

 

[Zodiark1593]

2 hours ago, TimeOmnivore said:

An interesting comment I found interesting under the article:

This type of practice could be a precursor to a replacement of ads to monetize non-subscription based websites. If websites limited the amount of resources they could use (and were upfront about it, e.g. not doing any funny shit like creating a background process that hides behind your taskbar), I may actually be okay with that, since it doesn't waste a far more valuable resource - my time - and would allow the websites I like to visit stay around for longer.

This would be absolutely horrible for devices running on battery. Resource usage should be minimized in mobile devices.

[8uhbbhu8]

1 hour ago, WereCat said:

Software

Paid version as usual

"Free" version bundled with crypto mining software which will be using all the unused resources as long as the program is running. Will have the same functionality as the paid version.

 

Could be integrated into OS as well.

Do you want "free" legal copy of Windows?

OMG you evil person!

[8uhbbhu8]

1 hour ago, Froody129 said:

I found one of these nasties on my PC the other day, no idea where I got it. They do a  very good job of not using enough CPU for you to notice a laggy experience. CSGO was the only game where I noticed it and I thought that was just CS being CS. Freaked out when I actually checked usage and I was sitting at 60% usage with nothing open

 

I always have task manager open and multiple monitoring programs running for various things  

[captain_to_fire]

15 minutes ago, 8uhbbhu8 said:

I always have task manager open and multiple monitoring programs running for various things  

Does mining Ethereum crank up the CPU or it’s mostly a GPU thing? 

[8uhbbhu8]

Just now, hey_yo_ said:

Does mining Ethereum crank up the CPU or it’s mostly a GPU thung? 

Depends on your preferences. You can choose either or both if you want. It also depends on you miner program. Many i've seen on websites are cpu only as its much easier to get access to that from a web site.

[Froody129]

13 minutes ago, hey_yo_ said:

Does mining Ethereum crank up the CPU or it’s mostly a GPU thing? 

CPU is very inefficient for mining ETH and costs more in power than what you get in ETH. Virus makers don't mind this though

[captain_to_fire]

1 minute ago, Froody129 said:

CPU is very inefficient for mining ETH and costs more in power than what you get in ETH. Virus makers don't mind this though

So mining malware is mostly for BTC I guess 

[Froody129]

1 minute ago, hey_yo_ said:

So mining malware is mostly for BTC I guess 

Nope, BTC is just as inefficient. But when you have a couple thousand people bringing in a couple cents a day each you're making bank. They don't care about the power bill since they're stealing

[jagdtigger]

1 hour ago, hey_yo_ said:

But then it would spell complete disaster for Microsoft if they’re going so nefarious as to bundle crypto currency miners to the next Windows 10 major release and I don’t think they’ll do it

Yeah, because their little hidden data collection arent nefarious, nor the fact that they denied its existence until the bitter end...

 

Install no script and thats the end of them...

Edited November 30, 2017 by jagdtigger

[r3loAded]

I always go to bed after I visit youporn  - so PC is shut = safe :))

[MyName13]

2 hours ago, WereCat said:

Software

Paid version as usual

"Free" version bundled with crypto mining software which will be using all the unused resources as long as the program is running. Will have the same functionality as the paid version.

 

Could be integrated into OS as well.

Do you want "free" legal copy of Windows?

F2p games?They could also make money off pirates

[ScratchCat]

1 minute ago, MyName13 said:

F2p games?They could also make money off pirates

Now F2P AC: Origins !

Requires a dual socket system, 1 CPU for the Mining , 1 for the DRM!

[captain_to_fire]

30 minutes ago, ScratchCat said:

Now F2P AC: Origins !

Requires a dual socket system, 1 CPU for the Mining , 1 for the DRM!

It made me think if it’s actually DRM or bundled miners the reason Luke’s processor is being hammered while trying to stream AC Origins at H.264. ?

 

tin foil hat on ?

[Bananasplit_00]

well il notice if the browser is open, i use the taskbar quite a bit to get to the browser and frequently hover just the chrome icon, so im pretty sure id notice it at least. i have a feeling stuff like this might replace adds soon

[RagnarokDel]

so popups

[8uhbbhu8]

49 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

actually... if Patreon did crypto mining as a form of pledging...? ?

I would be down with that. Or hell if they accepted cryptocurrencys even. That would be cool.

[Bit_Guardian]

Inb4 "free" pr0n websites start using this ?

[raphidy]

Oh pop up...I always exit my browsers and locking my computer when not in front of it, not problem for me. I guest it's time to have the cpu % widget back. It's clever to hide it behind taskbar though.

[MyName13]

How can someone not notice another window?

[MyName13]

3 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

 

What does that mean?As far as I know browsers can't run without being visible in the taskbar.

[captain_to_fire]

6 minutes ago, VegetableStu said:

-snip-

Some of these crypto miners don’t need an open window hiding in the taskbar. Some of them just spoof a legitimate Windows process. 

 

 

2 minutes ago, MyName13 said:

What does that mean?As far as I know browsers can't run without being visible in the taskbar.

The cryptomining malware is running inside a browser window that is minimized and lurking behind the taskbar 

[MyName13]

7 minutes ago, hey_yo_ said:

The cryptomining malware is running inside a browser window that is minimized and lurking behind the taskbar 

But how is that possible?Since when can browsers hide themselves behind the taskbar (and why is this even available to JavaScript developers)?

[captain_to_fire]

1 minute ago, MyName13 said:

But how is that possible?Since when can browsers hide themselves behind the taskbar (and why is this even available to JavaScript developers)?

I’m currently at my phone so I don’t know if it’s possible but you can try opening a Chrome tab and tear it as a separate window then reduce it to the smallest size possible and try dragging it behind your taskbar.