Mozilla to add cryptomining blocking to Firefox browser

Security • February 10, 2019, 9:13PM EST
UPDATED: February 11, 2019, 8:58AM EST
The Block

Mozilla, the non-profit open-source software foundation, has implemented a series of bug updates that hints at cryptomining blocking feature coming in the "near future", BleepingComputer reports. This new feature will give Firefox users the ability to block cryptomining software, protecting them from possible crypto-jacking attacks, that may use their CPU resources to mine cryptocurrencies without their consent.

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According to BleepingComputer, it is not known when this feature will go live in Firefox, but recent source code revisions show that the Firefox 66.0a1 build has implemented some portions of the feature. Firefox 66 is the next update release of the Firefox browser. 

Crypto-jacking is a major issue for Internet users. In September 2018, it was reported that major Indian government websites were hacked to mine cryptocurrencies. An Iranian cybersecurity report published in October 2018, lists Brazil, India, and Indonesia as the top three targeted countries for crypto-jacking attacks.

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Steven Zheng is a researcher for The Block. He joined The Block in August 2018. Steven graduated from St. John’s University with a degree in economics. Previously, he covered blockchain and crypto at Radicle, a startup analytics firm. He also had brief stints at Cheddar, a media startup, and Bowery Capital, a venture capital firm. He owns bitcoin. Follow Steven on Twitter at: @Dogetoshi

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