Microsoft finds crypto mining malware in late Kobe Bryant's wallpaper

Cryptocurrency • January 31, 2020, 3:20AM EST

A cryptocurrency mining malware has been found in a wallpaper of late basketball legend Kobe Bryant.

Microsoft’s security intelligence unit tweeted earlier today that cybercriminals are taking advantage of Bryant's tragic death last week. “We found a malicious HTML file posing as a Kobe Bryant wallpaper that contains a coin mining script,” it added.

The script mentions “CoinHive,” an in-browser miner for monero (XMR) cryptocurrency that proved popular with hackers. CoinHive, however, shut down all operations in March 2019.

Source: Microsoft

This is not the first time cybercriminals have used photos of celebrities to hide malicious crypto-mining scrips. Last month, an image of Taylor Swift was used to spread malware. Oscar-nominated actress Scarlett Johansson’s picture was also once used to hide monero mining malware.

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Yogita Khatri is a senior reporter at The Block, covering all things crypto. As one of the earliest team members, Yogita has played a pivotal role in breaking numerous stories, exclusives and scoops. With nearly 3,000 articles under her belt, Yogita holds the records as The Block's most-published and most-read author of all time. Prior to joining The Block, Yogita worked at crypto publication CoinDesk and The Economic Times, where she wrote on personal finance. To contact her, email: [email protected]. For her latest work, follow her on X @Yogita_Khatri5.