Hackers Targeting Crypto Miners With Help From NSA Leak

in #cryptocurrency6 years ago (edited)

According to a recent report by the Cyber Threat Alliance, hackers today are able to target crypto miners by exploiting a software flaw that was leaked from the government, researchers say.

The software tool, EternalBlue, was leaked back in 2017 thanks to the work of a group referring to themselves as the Shadow Brokers, and it was designed by the NSA to essentially exploit vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system.

After others became aware of this tool and the flaw that it helped to uncover, they are now allegedly using it to commandeer computing power of others in an effort to generate cryptocurrency.

Researchers suggest that the majority of illicit cryptocurrency mining is targeted toward Monero, roughly 85 percent they estimate. The hacks are taking place worldwide, though researchers note that a significant portion of those being targeted are from the U.S.

One previous study by Group-IB suggested that Americans are the main target for crypto hackers today. It's estimated that 1 in 3 targets are from the U.S. and to date there is tens of millions of dollars that has been stolen.

Aside from funds being targeted on various exchanges, hackers today have also discovered ways to tap into the processing power of unsuspecting computer users and they can then use that power to generate cryptocurrency.

According to Neil Jenkins, the chief analytic officer for the Cyber Threat Alliance, the agency behind the recent report, he says that this sort of illicit crypto mining is the canary in the coal mine.

“Illicit mining is the 'canary in the coal mine' of cybersecurity threats,... If illicit cryptocurrency mining is taking place on your network, then you most likely have worse problems and we should consider the future of illicit mining as a strategic threat.” - Jenkins

Aside from about 85 percent looking to mine monero, the researchers estimate that it's about 8 percent for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies account for 7 percent. Overall, they estimate that illicit cryptocurrency mining has increased roughly 459 percent this year alone.

Pics:
pixabay

Sources:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-19/hackers-target-bitcoin-with-leaked-nsa-software-tip-report-says
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nsa-leak-fuels-rise-hacking-crypto-mining-report-152231838.html

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Cybercriminals go wherever the money is, following the path of least resistance to achieve their goals. I have seen no evidence that the NSA is directly helping them. Criminals will use convenient tools to attack vulnerable systems that have value. In this case, it is victim's systems' resources or crypto-coin wallets/accounts themselves. Nothing surprising in that.

Yes we do need to let the world know about these criminal attacks so people can adopt basic security practices and good computer hygiene. But lets not add unnecessary drama, conspiracy theories, or FUD to a situation that needs real attention.

was considering a title revision and you've just convinced me 👍.. not sure where there is any conspiracy theory presented here? or FUD? 😂😂😂

criminal are been around for ages. nothing new.

Damn hackers!...

I think the "hacker" problem is way out of hand in all areas, I think the authorities should treat them worse than murderers, make the punishment so bad that it deters the hacking....drone strikes at minimum, but perhaps medieval torture

Interesting read. Yes I could see how the US would be an easy target. With a decentralisation platform it makes it more susceptible to hackers. Thanks for sharing my friend.

a decentralized platform?...

People without scruples and without conscience who want to live from others in my country are called parasites

Hackers are too bad. They must be punished.

no shit... its hacker again.

Hacking is the one of the most importent issues in todayes world.thank you for shear this informative pos.i really awer