Don’t Let Websites Mine Cryptocurrency on Your Devices: How to Protect Yourself
Have you ever noticed your computer or phone running slower than usual, even when you’re not using resource-intensive apps? Or maybe your battery life seems to be draining faster than usual? These could be signs that websites are using your device’s hardware to mine cryptocurrency, without your knowledge or consent. While cryptocurrency mining can be a legitimate activity, when done surreptitiously on your devices, it can be harmful, impacting performance, battery life, and potentially even reducing the lifespan of your hardware. Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself from this type of exploitation. This article will guide you through simple steps you can take to block cryptocurrency mining on your devices and maintain your online privacy.
Block Cryptocurrency Mining: Via Browser Extensions
If you’re using a desktop browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, or Safari, installing a browser extension like Adblock Plus can be a powerful solution. Adblock Plus effectively blocks coin mining scripts from running in your browser, preventing websites from utilizing your processing power for their own gain.
Another excellent option is Ghostery, which also blocks these scripts along with other tracking technologies. Should you encounter any coin mining scripts that are not initially blocked by Ghostery, you can contact them directly and have them added to their database.
Block Cryptocurrency Mining: Via Antivirus Apps
Many modern antivirus programs have integrated features to block cryptocurrency mining scripts. While this feature might not be available in the free tiers of some programs, it’s often a worthwhile investment for the additional security. Malwarebytes, for instance, provides effective protection against these scripts across Windows and Mac systems, extending protection beyond just your browser. This approach offers a system-wide defense, negating the need to enable blocking in individual browsers or applications.
Block Cryptocurrency Mining: On iPhone and iPad
You can block cryptocurrency mining websites on your iOS devices using Safari, Firefox, or Opera. Safari offers two primary methods: disabling Javascript or using a content blocker app such as 1Blocker.
To disable Javascript in Safari:
- Go to Settings > Safari.
- Tap Advanced > disable Javascript.
Important Note: Disabling Javascript will significantly impact your browsing experience, potentially rendering many websites unusable. It’s generally best to use a content blocker app like 1Blocker instead.
To use 1Blocker in Safari:
- Install 1Blocker.
- Go to Settings > Safari > Content Blockers and enable 1Blocker.
- Within 1Blocker, enable the Block Trackers filter to block coin mining sites.
While we haven’t found a way to block these scripts in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on iOS, Opera Touch and Mozilla Firefox have built-in features to block ads and cryptocurrency mining.
To block crypto mining in Opera Touch:
- Open Opera Touch > tap the browser’s icon.
- Tap Settings > enable Ad Blocking > enable Cryptocurrency Mining Protection.
To block crypto mining in Mozilla Firefox:
- Open Firefox > tap the hamburger icon> go to Settings.
- Select Tracking Protection > enable Enhanced Tracking Protection > set the Protection Level to Strict.
Block Cryptocurrency Mining: On Android
Android devices offer various avenues to block cryptocurrency mining scripts in Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.
To block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Chrome:
- Tap the three dots on the top right > Settings > Site Settings.
- Tap Javascript and disable it.
- For specific sites where you want to allow Javascript, tap Add Site Exceptions and manually add the URLs.
To block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Firefox:
- Tap the three dots > Settings.
- Under Privacy and security, tap Enhanced Tracking Protection.
- Enable Enhanced Tracking Protection and set the Protection Level to Strict.
To block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Edge:
- Tap the three dots > Settings > Content Blockers.
- Enable Block ads for Adblock Plus.
To block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Opera:
- Tap the browser’s icon > Settings > enable Ad Blocking.
Final Thoughts
These methods will help you safeguard your devices from unwanted cryptocurrency mining. It’s important to note that even with these precautions, new mining techniques and websites may emerge. Therefore, staying vigilant and updating your security measures is essential. Consider using a combination of browser extensions, antivirus apps, and browser settings for the most comprehensive protection.
By taking these simple yet effective steps, you can prioritize your device’s performance, extend battery life, and protect yourself from the potential harm of unknowingly participating in cryptocurrency mining operations.
