How To Tell If Your Smartphone Is Being Used To Mine Crypto

The total value of all cryptocurrency assets in the world is measured in trillions. As new cryptocurrencies pop up left and right, this is expected to increase in the coming years.

On the other hand, the value of anonymity in cryptocurrencies makes them very attractive to cybercriminals, who are always finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in consumer devices and make money. Unsurprisingly, this includes smartphones.

What is cryptojacking? How does it work on a smartphone?

Cryptojacking is a type of cyber attack where an attacker hijacks a target device to use it to mine cryptocurrency. Such an attack uses your device's processing power to solve cryptographic equations without your knowledge or consent, thereby generating cryptocurrencies for others.

Today's smartphones are more powerful than supercomputers just 10 years ago, so they can definitely be used to mine cryptocurrencies. Naturally, this makes them prime targets for cryptojacking attacks.

Android and iOS smartphones can be used for cryptocurrency mining. However, it is important to note that Android devices are much more vulnerable to all kinds of cyberattacks than iPhones, especially non-jailbroken iPhones.

But how do cryptojackers spread on mobile devices, which are typically more resilient to malware than desktop computers?

Your smartphone can get infected with Cryptojacker in a number of ways, but it's more common when you download files from unverified sources. For example, when you download files from random websites instead of using the correct app store.

Therefore, even legitimate applications can be exploited by cyber criminals. If they could infiltrate an application, they could inject malicious code into it and use it to proliferate all types of malware, including cryptojacking malware. Of course, malicious mining code can also be placed on websites or online ads, hide behind phishing links, etc.

Once Cryptojacker is on your smartphone, it uses its power to mine cryptocurrencies in the background. And it will likely bring down Monero, a cryptocurrency known for its extremely elusive privacy features. For example, if in 2021 “Spider-Man. The superhero movie No Way Home featured a menacing actor who looked like a torrent file from the movie but was actually a Monero miner.

5 signs your smartphone is infected with cryptographic malware

Encrypted malware affects your smartphone in various ways, damaging its hardware and eventually causing the device to fail completely. The good news is that it is very easy to determine if your smartphone is being used to mine cryptocurrencies. Here are five red flags and warning signs to look out for.

1. Warm start

Your phone heats up faster than usual. Are your hands too hot even when you're not using power-hungry apps? Does it stay warm even if you put it away for a while? If the answer to this question is yes, then there is a high probability that your device is being used for cryptocurrency mining.

2. Shorter battery life

If you charge your smartphone more often than usual because the battery life is much shorter than before, then there must be a problem. And yes, cryptographic malware could be the problem.

3. Stuttering interface

Does your smartphone's interface stutter and lag even when you're trying to perform simple tasks like setting alarms or changing settings? This is another red flag and could be a sign that your phone has a cryptager.

4. Application Latency and Errors

Another sign that your smartphone is infected with cryptojacking malware is apps that become unresponsive, freeze, run slowly, or crash frequently.

5. The keyboard in action

It may sound strange, but keyboard problems are often a sign of malware infection. So if your keyboard is taking a long time to appear or you're experiencing weird typing lag, you probably have a cryptocurrency miner on your phone.

In general, any sudden change in smartphone behavior is a sure sign that something is wrong. A combination of overheating, lagging, crashing, and similar malfunctions are often the result of cryptos. But there are steps you can take to prevent this from happening.

How to prevent mobile cryptojacking

To get started, all you need to do is download apps from regulated marketplaces like Google Play and the App Store. And even if you do, be careful and do your research before downloading any app. This includes basic precautions like reading reviews and Googling the company behind the product.

Second, never click on a link in an unfamiliar email, even if it looks legitimate. And if you're not sure, try the link testing tool. There are many to choose from.

Of course, it's important to regularly update your operating system and patch vulnerabilities, but you can boost your malware protection with security software and ditch your primary browser for a more secure and private alternative.

And when you download Cryptojacker, reply as soon as possible. The first thing you should do is remove the malware manually or with your security software. If that fails, consider performing a factory reset. However, be aware that this is a full software reset and you will lose access to all data on your phone unless backed up somewhere. This should definitely be your last resort.

Increase the security of your smartphone to ward off attacks

Cryptojacking malware will remain a threat for a long time. And it makes a lot of sense because the more powerful the smartphone, the more cryptocurrencies it can mine and the more common these attacks are.

It's clear that protecting your smartphone has never been more important. But there are many ways to do this and there are many free apps that can make the whole process painless.