United States-based software corporation Microsoft has removed eight Windows 10 applications from its official app store after cybersecurity firm Symantec identified the presence of surreptitious Monero coin mining code.
Stealth crypto mining - also know as cryptojacking - works by installing malware that uses a computer's processing power to mine for cryptocurrencies without the owner's consent or knowledge.
According to Symantec, the firm first detected malicious XMR mining code within eight apps - issued by three developers - on Jan. 17.
The applications - which were marketed as part of the top free app listings on the Microsoft Store - reportedly included "a computer and battery optimization tutorial, internet search, web browsers, and video viewing and download," and were issued by developers "DigiDream, 1clean and Findoo." Upon closer investigation, Symantec has proposed that all eight apps have in fact likely been developed by the same person or group, rather than by three distinct entities.
Once the mining script is activated, the target's computer CPU cycle is hijacked to mine XMR for the app developers.
Symantec representatives told technology news website ZDNet that this is the first time cryptojacking cases have been found on the Microsoft store.
As Synmantec notes, while the suspect apps all provided privacy policies, they unanimously omitted any mention of cryptocurrency mining.
The firm's analysis identified the strain of mining malware enclosed in the apps as being the web browser-based Coinhive XMR mining code.
Symantec says it has not been able to determine precise download or installation statistics, but observes that the apps received almost 1,900 ratings - whether or not these accurately reflect real users, or fraudulent bots, is difficult to ascertain.
Aside from Microsoft's action to delist the apps, the mining JavaScript has also reportedly been removed from Google Tag Manager, following Symantec's alert.
Detected Cryptojacking Prompts Microsoft to Remove Eight Free Apps from Microsoft Store
gepubliceerd op Feb 15, 2019
by Cointele | gepubliceerd op Coinage
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