TALKING

Cryptojacking actions invade smartphones , laptops , desktops , servers and even IoT device networks to serve as a processing base for mining virtual currencies . Unlike ransomware attacks , in which the exhibitionism of digital gangs is part of a terror strategy , cryptojacking takes place quietly and is difficult to identify and block .

The spread of cryptocurrencies in the world leads digital gangs gambling more and more on this type of invasive attack . Criminals do not want to use their own processing power and their own electricity supplier , one of the biggest costs of the cryptojacking activity , for the costly mining of cryptocurrencies . cryptocurrencies culminate in coverting the ‘ clean ’ cryptocurrency into regular currencies ( dollars , pesos , reais , euros ). According to the report , Latin America is the favorite of cybercriminal groups since it is easier to operate among world regions .

Arley Brogiato , Sales Director , SonicWall Latin America

The SonicWall Threat Report revealed that in the first half of 2021 , cryptojacking had grown by 23 % worldwide compared to the same period in 2020 . SonicWall security experts mapped 51.1 million attacks for January and June 2021 .

Illicit money laundering and cryptomining : Two sides of the same coin

In Latin America , the outlook is challenging . The lack of a more widespread and legally grounded culture of cybersecurity makes Latin America a place where criminals around the world seek to launder illicit money .

A study carried out in February 2021 by the global security consultancy Insights shows that cryptojacking is used by digital gangs and ‘ traditional ’ criminals to launder the proceeds of crime .

The same study shows that 97 % of money laundering actions through illegal mining , via cryptojacking , of

Where there is crime , there is illegal mining of crypto coins . Where there is illegal mining of crypto coins , there are computers suffering from cryptojacking hacks .

The cost of electricity encourages criminals

The cost of electricity to be consumed in this criminal operation is high . According to a study carried out by the European research institute Joule , in 2018 ,

Cryptojacking takes place quietly and is difficult to identify and block .

around 60 % of the legal operating costs of crypto mining are formed by the consumption of electricity . Add to this the need to have access to a great deal of data processing power and it is clear why cryptojacking is increasing .

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