Cryptocurrencies usually have links with cases of financial fraud. This is one of the reasons why many governments are not comfortable with digital currencies. In addition, since the advent of cryptocurrencies, different malware for cheating crops up every day. Recently, Microsoft announced the integration of Intel Threat Detection Technology (TDT) into Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. The company says this will enhance its detection capabilities and prevent cryptocurrency mining malware.
According to reports, the integrated solution of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and Intel TDT natively supports Intel’s sixth-generation and above Core and vPro platforms.
Since the fourth quarter of 2020, there has been a significant increase in malicious attacks on cryptocurrency mining. According to a recent report, the increase in these malicious attacks is as high as 53%. This figure is relative to the same period last year.
In order to resist this rising threat, Microsoft and Intel introduced this chip-based threat detection technology. This tech will make Microsoft Defender for Endpoint better detect cryptocurrency mining malware.
Rising cryptocurrency prices are bringing more malware
Microsoft said
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“As cryptocurrency prices rise, many opportunistic attackers now prefer to use cryptojacking over ransomware. The risks for organizations have increased, as attackers deploy coin miners as a payload for malware campaigns. According to recent research from Avira Protection Labs, there was a 53 percent increase in coin miner malware attacks in Q4 2020 compared to Q3 2020. In addition, with malware evolving over the years to evade typical anti-malware defenses, detecting coin miners has become increasingly more challenging. This rising threat is why Microsoft and Intel have been partnering to deliver technology that uses silicon-based threat detection to enable endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to better detect cryptocurrency mining malware, even when the malware is obfuscated and tries to evade security tools”.
Most of the malware against cryptocurrencies is a result of the rise in the price of cryptocurrencies. Since March this year, the price of Bitcoin has been on the rise consistently. As of a couple of weeks ago, Bitcoin was selling for over $60,000. However, a few weeks ago, cryptocurrency prices started declining. As of two days ago, the price of Bitcoin dropped below $50,000. However, it rose again before the end of the to about $53,000. According to coindesk, the current price of Bitcoin is about $54,962 per coin
