Born to be root, not reboot: That’s total geek humor. Stealthy malware has been infecting Linux systems since 2021. It secretly mines crypto and turns computers into spambots, hiding as common system processes. Extra sneaky: It stops when someone logs in. Telltale sign: Constantly high CPU usage. Make sure CVE-2023-33246 is patched.
A small town in Texas will soon house the world’s biggest bitcoin mine
Corsicana, Texas is a small town an hour away from Dallas. They kicked off the oil boom in the South 130 years ago, turning their land into a money-making machine. Today, it’s the kind of dreary town you don’t stop in because there’s nothing memorable.
The oil dried up long ago, and so did all the money. Corsicana is trying to recapture the magic they once had, this time with the world’s largest bitcoin mine. When I read about what was happening, I knew you’d find it interesting, too.
A new money revolution
In Corsicana, the Riot bitcoin facility is under construction on a massive 265-acre site. The operation is still in the planning phase, and Riot is in the middle of negotiating the details with the local government. One thing that’s certain at this point? Many residents aren’t welcoming the new facility.
To explain why, let’s look at how this operation translates into real-life money. Mining a single bitcoin (currently worth more than $66,000) requires a ton of computer power. That’s the beauty of these large facilities, where powerful computer chips can work together. They run complex math equations, and whoever owns the computer chip that solves the math equation becomes the owner of that bitcoin.
Since the servers do all the work, the process is pretty passive for those in charge. In essence, bitcoin mines turn raw computing power into real money.
In a town that desperately needs cash, it sounds almost too good to be true. So, what’s the catch?
‘Quality of life’
… At least, that’s what the Texas Coalition Against Crypto Mining says. The grassroots movement was formed after crypto mining facilities disrupted life in several other Texas towns.
Take Granbury, population 13,000. They learned a little too late bitcoin mines can be very, very loud. Computer components get hot when they’re working at max capacity around the clock, and most bitcoin mines use air cooling to keep them running.
The sound of hundreds or even thousands of components running all day can be heard for miles. Imagine how frustrating it must feel to wake up to that day after day.
The energy tax
Crypto tip: How to gift digital currency
Cryptocurrency began over a decade ago with the release of Bitcoin. Since then, the number of digital currencies has swelled to the thousands.
Shortly after Bitcoin’s launch, one crypto-mining pioneer built up 7,500 digital coins for next to nothing. He accidentally threw away the hard drive containing the Bitcoin some years later, when the value was in the millions. He is still searching for that hard drive today. Tap or click here for more on the story.
Cryptocurrency tip: One method to lower your investment risk
Cryptocurrency is created through crypto mining, which you can do at home with your computer. Unfortunately, this has given cybercriminals a new target, as they can secretly use your computer to mine for crypto without your knowledge.
Don't do it - This antivirus software installs crypto-miner (and takes a cut)
Cryptocurrencies have been around for some time and are very popular. But it comes with some risks, and this is the most dangerous thing you can do if you’re new to crypto.
The digital currency is created through a process called crypto mining. Many people have gone to great lengths to develop elaborate crypto mining operations, spending thousands of dollars on high-end machines that run day and night. Others have taken to sneakier methods for hopefully getting rich.
Before your next Google search, beware of these spam ads distributing malware
A preferred method for cybercriminals to deliver malware is through phishing emails and spam messages. It has generally yielded enough victims for them to use those tactics continually. But criminals are also exploring different ways of beating antivirus systems.