Unmasking Cryptojacking: A Deep Dive into Browser-Based Mining Ethics

The Evolution of Browser-Based Cryptojacking

Once upon a time in the tech world, mining for cryptocurrency was an open field where only the biggest and baddest ASIC chips roamed. However, with the emergence of ASIC-resistant cryptocurrencies, the return of browser-based mining was akin to a phoenix rising from the ashes. Researchers at Concordia University have released a report, dated March 7, which provides an illuminating perspective on this very topic.

The Case of Coinhive

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Coinhive. Launched in 2017, this JavaScript browser miner was designed to mine Monero, an altcoin or, as techies would say, “the cool cousin of Bitcoin.” Initially, Coinhive didn’t require user consent, leading to its infamous reputation, eventually landing it on malware lists faster than you can say “cryptojacking”!

Ethics: Business Opportunity or Attack?

Researchers Shayan Eskandari, Andreas Leoutsarakos, Troy Mursch, and Jeremy Clark have posed a compelling question: Is cryptojacking an attack or a business opportunity? When over 30,000 websites (a whopping 92% of sites using JavaScript for mining) are out there utilizing Coinhive scripts without user consent, one can’t help but feel a little uneasy. Call it “invisible abuse”—especially when Showtime was caught with its hands in the cookie jar, secretly mining on its sites!

User Consent: The Gray Area

Even when users give a thumbs up for their CPU to be part of the mining gig, ethical concerns still loom large. Many users might not fully comprehend what they’re signing up for. They may enjoy the perks of ad-free browsing or enhanced video streaming, but these benefits come at a price. Think higher energy bills, device deterioration, and a web experience that resembles swimming through molasses.

Recent Developments and Future Concerns

In response to the backlash, Coinhive rolled out Authedmine, which supposedly requires user consent before jumping into the mining action. But recently, the plot thickened with Coinhive reportedly being linked to Telecom Egypt, which was manipulating users’ internet traffic to redirect them to mining sites. It’s like living in a techno-thriller where your browser is secretly plotting against you.