|
Title: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: 13Charlie on April 05, 2013, 03:38:34 PM A new Skype spam campaign directs users to malware that uses the computer's CPU to mine Bitcoins, according Kaspersky Lab researchers.
http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/article/458227/bitcoin_mining_malware_spreading_skype_researcher_says/ Title: Re: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: CIYAM on April 05, 2013, 03:43:19 PM Trying to use CPU to mine bitcoins in 2013 - got to wonder exactly who would write something as stupid as that...
Title: Re: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: 13Charlie on April 05, 2013, 03:45:53 PM Trying to use CPU to mine bitcoins in 2013 - got to wonder exactly who would write something as stupid as that... +1 Title: Re: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: 01BTC10 on April 05, 2013, 03:48:02 PM HeckForum ownage.
Title: Re: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: etotheipi on April 05, 2013, 05:07:56 PM I wouldn't say it's that stupid. One user turning on their CPU to mine Bitcoins at 5 MH/s is a total waste of electricity for that user. But someone running 200,000 stolen CPU miners gets them 1 TH/s for free -- about $1000/day while the compromised users pay for the electricity!
Title: Re: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: CIYAM on April 05, 2013, 05:23:42 PM Is it really likely they would be able to get 200,000 computers (presumably using 99% of CPU) actually working (presumably undetected) for that to work?
Title: Re: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: etotheipi on April 05, 2013, 05:32:43 PM Is it really likely they would be able to get 200,000 computers (presumably using 99% of CPU) actually working (presumably undetected) for that to work? See the historical list of botnets on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botnet#Historical_list_of_botnets). Tens of millions of computers were compromised. And don't forget that the coins mined are literally free for the operator (besides the legal risk). If they are successful, even $20/day is an extra $600/month for doing nothing. Title: Re: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: solex on April 05, 2013, 11:55:56 PM Is it really likely they would be able to get 200,000 computers (presumably using 99% of CPU) actually working (presumably undetected) for that to work? See the historical list of botnets on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botnet#Historical_list_of_botnets). Tens of millions of computers were compromised. And don't forget that the coins mined are literally free for the operator (besides the legal risk). If they are successful, even $20/day is an extra $600/month for doing nothing. Does it matter? As long as the blocks are not empty, then the botnets just add to the Bitcoin network. Shows how powerful the model is. New headline: Botnets enslaved by Bitcoin! Title: Re: 2013-04-05 - PC World AU - Bitcoin mining malware spreading on Skype Post by: etotheipi on April 06, 2013, 02:14:54 AM Is it really likely they would be able to get 200,000 computers (presumably using 99% of CPU) actually working (presumably undetected) for that to work? See the historical list of botnets on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botnet#Historical_list_of_botnets). Tens of millions of computers were compromised. And don't forget that the coins mined are literally free for the operator (besides the legal risk). If they are successful, even $20/day is an extra $600/month for doing nothing. Does it matter? As long as the blocks are not empty, then the botnets just add to the Bitcoin network. Shows how powerful the model is. New headline: Botnets enslaved by Bitcoin! You're right, it doesn't matter from the network's perspective. I was just dispelling the idea that it's not worth CPU mining with your botnet. |