As if visiting shady torrent websites wasn’t harmful enough before, now users have a new problem to deal with when visiting such websites. A user on Reddit discovered that his CPU is being used for mining the digital cryptocurrency “Monero” while visiting PirateBay, one of the most popular torrent websites. For those who don’t know, Monero is another popular cryptocurrency just like Bitcoin. PirateBay used a simple JavaScript code to trigger a cryptocurrency miner from Coinhive.
The code was found embedded in the footer of several specific web pages on the domain. This new finding infuriated users as they were not informed of such a development in advance. In this article, we will learn the pros and cons of websites that mine crypto using the visitor CPU and what it means for you. Finally, we will show you too How to stop websites from using your CPU to mine cryptocurrencies:
How Cryptocurrency Mining Works Using Visitor CPU
As I mentioned above, websites are specific JavaScript code embedded in websites to trigger the crypto mining process this uses your machine’s CPU to perform the task. The code can be activated throughout the website or on specific specific pages, depending on the search terms used to find those pages. In the case of PirateBay, the code has been used on certain pages. PirateBay noted that since its discovery, they only run this as a test on certain web pages. However, if the test is successful, it won’t take long to make it universal on the website.
Why Is PirateBay Testing Crypto Mining Using User’s CPU?
To be honest, crypto mining process enables PirateBay to make money. Any torrent website like PirateBay needs money to run and this is generated by advertisements currently running on their website. Crypto Mining can act as an alternative source of income that can replace the need for advertising on its platform, according to PirateBay.
In a statement, PirateBay asks its users a very simple question: “Do you want ads every time you visit the site or do you want to give a few of the CPU cycles?” If PirateBay test results show that they can make enough money to cover the cost of running their website using crypto mining without alienating or angering their user base, they may switch to it.
What Does This Mean For Users?
As users, you will need to think more about what you prefer, ads or crypto mining. Both have their own pros and cons. When it comes to ads, we all hate them. Especially since ads on torrent websites tend to contain more graphics and adult content. there is also the problem of the rise of malicious advertising on such websites. If you’re not familiar with the term, it basically refers to the application of serving these ads, which when clicked, redirects users to fake websites and websites with malware that can infect their systems.
Using Cryptocurrency Mining as an income stream comes with its own set of problems. Since the website will use your CPU power to mine cryptocurrencies, Your CPU is always running at full capacity, every time you visit such websites. The Reddit user who disclosed this test also shared the CPU usage of his system. this CPU was running at 80-85% efficiency. In terms of context, this is the same CPU usage your system experiences when performing heavy-duty operations such as editing 4K video, playing AAA titled games, or rendering 3D projects. This is when you are on such websites that use crypto mining instead of advertising, your CPU will be completely exhausted and you will find your computer lagging. There’s also the issue of your battery draining quickly if you’re not plugged in.
As you can, both income-generating options have their own pros and cons. One fills their websites with adult and graphic advertisements and there is also the risk of malicious advertising. The other uses your system’s CPU power rather than giving you an ad-free experience.
How Do You Stop Websites From Using Your CPU?
If you’re not ready to waste your CPU power, you’ll be happy to know that you don’t have to, even if websites adopt this system. aspect crypto mining is triggered using a JavaScript code, it can be easily blocked using an extension. You can think of these extensions as different types of ad blockers that block crypto mining attempts by using your CPU instead of ads running on websites. Currently, there are two that work really well and you can install both. One of these minorBlock (Free) and another NoCoin (Free). You can install the extensions by clicking the provided links.
Again, extensions currently only work in Chrome browser, but the developers will release the FireFox version soon. If you’re using Firefox, NoScript (Free). This should do the job until a specific extension is released for the same thing. Extensions for other browsers should follow soon.
SEE ALSO: What Is BlueBorne and How Does It Threaten Billions of Bluetooth Devices?
Stop Websites From Using Your CPU For Crypto Mining
I agree with PirateBay that they need money to run their website, and I have no problem looking for alternative revenue streams other than ads. Because who doesn’t hate ads. However, they should have informed users before implementing this change. I would give them the benefit of the doubt, they were just testing. The reasoning seems quite likely, given that the code is placed on specific pages and not the entire website. But that’s me, let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below. Also, let us know which of the two you prefer.