cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is a type of cyberattack where attackers secretly use a victim's computer resources to mine cryptocurrency. On Windows systems, this often involves malware that hijacks CPU or GPU power, degrading performance and increasing electricity costs. Recent campaigns have targeted high-GPU Windows machines, using poisoned search results, fake utility downloads, and remote access tools to deploy miners. Microsoft Defender researchers have tracked such activity, highlighting the use of AI chatbot-recommended links and signed .NET utilities to evade detection. For Windows users and administrators, cryptojacking underscores the importance of verifying software sources and monitoring system performance for unusual resource usage.