Cryptocurrency mining is now the world’s second-most popular malware, according to a new report published by Security software provider Malwarebytes.
The study says malicious cryptomining has increased dramatically in the last few months, while virtually all other malware is on the decline.
“Detections of cryptomining malware for businesses increased by 27 percent over last quarter, bringing it up to the second-highest overall threat detection for businesses this quarter,” the report reads.
Android miners experienced an even more dramatic surge, with nearly 40 times more detections this quarter than last.
“That’s a 4,000% increase! On the Mac side, we’ve seen nearly 1,000 detections of malwarebased miners, browser extensions, and cryptomining apps in this quarter alone, with 74 percent of those detections taking place in March,” Malwarebytes said.
Currently, adware still stands as the number one threat for consumers, while spyware is the biggest threat to businesses.
Ransomware – where victims are asked to pay up, usually in bitcoin – is up for businesses by 28%, but consumer detections fell, dragging it down to sixth spot overall. A new development saw GandCrab become the first ransomware to ask victims to pay up in a crypto other than Bitcoin (Bitcoin).
By Siranush Ghazanchyan