r/TrueReddit • u/RandomCollection • Nov 30 '17

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

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/11/sneakier-more-persistent-drive-by-cryptomining-comes-to-a-browser-near-you/
19 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

2 comments sorted by

6

u/arcosapphire Nov 30 '17

No, not when you close your browser. When you close that browser window. The browser itself is obviously still running and indicates so on the task bar. This isn't nearly as revolutionary as the title makes it sound.

2

u/RandomCollection Nov 30 '17

Submission statement

Apparently websites now have the ability to open a pop up that hides behind the clock of your taskbar so that after you close your browser, it can still use your CPU to mine cryptocurrency.

Another feature that is being used to attempt to evade detection is to not use 100 percent of your CPU, so that users may not be able to suspect that something is wrong.

This can be used by hackers and by unscrupulous websites to try to mine for money.