Firefox browser offers new measures to counter background cryptomining

New security preferences have been added to the latest release of Firefox's Quantum browser, the firm has written in a blog post. The company has rolled out features which include blocking unauthorised cryptomining and third-party fingerprinting.

Cryptomining or cryptojacking uses a computer’s CPU to mine cryptocurrencies without the victim’s knowledge or consent. A mining module is installed in-browser, usually slowing down the device and in the worst-case scenario even damaging the equipment.

Fingerprinting, on the other hand, allows a third-party to build a digital fingerprint to track someone's behaviour across the web.

Firefox tested these anti-tracking solutions in a pre-release beta testing last month, after announcing the company's approach in August 2018 and committed to rolling out features to mitigate these risks.