Cybersecurity Glossary

Cryptojacking

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What is Cryptojacking?

Cryptojacking is a kind of cyber attack where a threat actor uses an organization’s computing resources—such as servers, endpoints, or cloud infrastructure—to mine cryptocurrency without the organization’s knowledge or consent. 

Unlike other cyber attacks, such as ransomware, cryptojacking is designed to stay hidden, silently draining CPU power, slowing down systems, increasing electricity costs, and potentially creating security vulnerabilities across the victim network. 

While cryptojacking may not have a short-term result for the victim organization, it can impact network performance and costs. Additionally, a successful cryptojacking attack signals deeper security gaps, such as unpatched systems, compromised endpoints, or misconfigured cloud workloads, that allowed the threat actor to gain initial access and launch the attack. 

How Does Cryptojacking Work?

In cryptojacking attacks, threat actors often use tried-and-true methods to gain unauthorized access to a system or device.   

There are three popular cryptojacking techniques. They are: 

1. Cloud Cryptojacking.

During a cloud cryptojacking attack, threat actors steal an organization’s API keys and gain access to an organization’s cloud services. The hackers then use as much processing power as they can to mine digital currencies. In theory, cloud cryptojacking provides the threat actor with unlimited resources due to the size of the cloud. In practice, however, a dramatic increase in cloud use may alert the cloud provider to suspicious activity.

2. Malware-based Cryptojacking.

During a malware-based cryptojacking attack, threat actors will introduce malware via an infected file, most commonly by disguising the infected file in an email and tricking a user into opening it through social engineering.

3. Browser-Based Cryptojacking.

During a browser-based cryptojacking attack, threat actors malicious code in a website. Once a user visits that site, the script grants unauthorized access to the user’s device to mine for cryptocurrency.  

This kind of attack, when used for other means, is referred to as a drive-by download attack

Why is Cryptojacking a Threat to Organizations?

Cryptojacking may seem less destructive than ransomware or data breaches, but it poses serious risks for organizations. Because it operates silently, cryptojacking can persist undetected for long periods, consuming valuable resources and creating hidden costs. 

  • Performance and Productivity Losses: Cryptojacking can effect CPU and GPU power, slowing down endpoints, servers, and cloud workloads. This impacts employee productivity, customer-facing applications, and overall IT performance.
  • Increased Operational Costs: Mining cryptocurrency consumes electricity and processing power. For businesses running large networks or cloud infrastructures, cryptojacking can lead to higher energy bills and inflated cloud service costs.
  • Reduced Hardware Lifespan: Constant high CPU usage causes overheating and wear on devices, shortening the lifecycle of business-critical hardware.
  • Security Exposure: The presence of cryptojacking malware or scripts often indicates broader vulnerabilities, such as unpatched systems, compromised endpoints, or misconfigured cloud workloads. Attackers who can install cryptojacking software may also exploit the same access for future, more damaging attacks.
  • Reputational and Compliance Concerns: If cryptojacking affects customer-facing systems, it can degrade service reliability, raise trust issues, and potentially trigger compliance scrutiny.

How to Prevent and Defend Against Cryptojacking

Just because cryptojacking relies on stealth for success doesn’t mean there aren’t concrete steps organizations can take to both prevent the attack and disrupt its impact. 

1. Deploy Advanced Endpoint Security

Comprehensive endpoint security can identify abnormal CPU usage, unauthorized scripts, and malware associated with cryptojacking.

2. Monitor Cloud Workloads

Implement cloud security monitoring (this can be achieved with a robust managed detection and response solution) to detect unusual compute usage, unexpected scaling, or billing spikes that could indicate cryptojacking in cloud or container environments.

3. Apply Risk-Based Vulnerability Management

By prioritizing and remediating vulnerabilities based on internal and external risk factors, organizations can close vulnerabilities that cryptojacking malware and scripts may exploit for access.

4. Enable Network and Performance Monitoring

Utilized real-time, continuous network monitoring and track system performance metrics and network traffic to spot anomalies tied to unauthorized mining activity.

5. Implement Security Awareness Training

Cryptojacking malware often takes hold due to successful social engineering tactics, so it is vital organizations reduce human risk by training users to spot social engineering attacks, thwart phishing emails, and understand the risks of accidentally downloading malware.

6. Work with a Security Operations Provider to Better Harden Your Attack Surface

Because cryptojacking can originate with the user, the endpoint, the cloud, or the network, it can be difficult to detect and respond to fast. Utilizing a managed detection and response (MDR) solution can help your organization gain broad visibility across the IT environment, ensure full-time monitoring, and swiftly respond to threats that may be indicative of a cryptojacking attack. 

Learn more about current and emerging threats with the Arctic Wolf 2025 Threat Report

Explore how a Security Operations provider can reduce your organization’s risk while offering protection against threats like cryptojacking.  

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Arctic Wolf

Arctic Wolf provides your team with 24x7 coverage, security operations expertise, and strategically tailored security recommendations to continuously improve your overall posture.
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