Mozilla Fights Back Against Crypto-jacking
Mozilla, the popular web browser, has just announced that all future versions of their product will contain software designed to combat crypto-jacking applications and extensions.
Crypto-jacking usually involves infecting a user’s computer with a bit of software that will use that device’s processing power to mine cryptocurrencies for the attackers. This form of fraud has been increasing in popularity and people have become more and more aware of it. As such, the steps that Mozilla is taking to combat this are a great example to the industry and should serve as a push for other browsers as well.
In addition to the method stated above, some hackers also use “fingerprinting” scripts. These contain computer configuration snapshots that allow bad actors and ad agencies to potentially track users’ browsing history and usage regardless of whether cookies have been cleared or not.
In order to achieve this goal, Firefox has partnered with Disconnect, a company that combats illegal and immoral usage of user’s online data. In a statement, Firefox has said: “In collaboration with Disconnect, we have compiled lists of domains that serve fingerprinting and crypto-mining scripts,” reads the announcement. “Now in the latest Firefox Nightly and Beta versions, we give users the option to block both kinds of scripts as part of our Content Blocking suite of protections.”
To turn on the new feature, Firefox users can follow these steps:
- Click the Firefox main menu
- Choose “Preferences”
- Click the “Privacy and Security” tab
- Under “Content Blocking,” click “Custom”
- Finally, check “Cryptominers” and “Fingerprinters”
Mozilla’s competitor, Opera, has also rolled out some new features designed to protect their users against such malicious practices at the beginning of 2018.
Overall, the efforts of these companies are laudable and should be adopted by more web browser providers, as combating these practices can only improve this space overall and contribute to building trust among users everywhere.
