Avira Antivirus Introduced to Cryptomining

Norton 360 and now Avira. This would be far too overreaching in my opinion. It would definitely end any relationship I have with an antivirus developer even if I am able to turn it off.

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/01/500m-avira-antivirus-users-introduced-to-cryptomining/

Agreed…!!

This made me laugh. A simple solution.

See attached.

IMO, there are better options available - should work, though. :wink:

My feelings on cryptomining, is theft, as is seen here.
https://www.extrahop.co.uk/resources/attacks/cryptomining/

What is Cryptomining? Cryptomining malware, or 'cryptojacking,' is a malware attack that co-opts the target's computing resources in order to mine cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. ... Once in place, the malware can be difficult to detect as it runs in the background.

The cost of bitcoin mining is huge, so for the most part beyond the means of us mere mortals.
https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/2022/01/09/61dae6bce2704e17408b45db.html

[b]How long does it take to mine one Bitcoin?[/b]

It takes around 10 minutes to mine just one Bitcoin, though this is with ideal hardware and software, which isn’t always affordable and only a few users can boast the luxury of. More commonly and reasonably, most users can mine a Bitcoin in 30 days.
Can you mine a Bitcoin for free?

Technically, mining the Bitcoin can be done for free, as the software has no cost associated with it. However, there are huge costs involved with the hardware and electricity expenses.

Mining equipment requires a lot of power, and it could cost as much as 73,000 dollars to process a Bitcoin, depending on the electricity costs in one’s area.

It is possible to join a mining pool to harness to computational power of hardware owned by several miners, but then each miner only receives a portion of the mined Bitcoin.

The result of this means lots would be trying to have others (systems) do the mining for them, for me that is theft of resources. So for any supposed security based company off this makes me cringe.

As for its volatility, is it something to invest in (if you had a spare 40,000$USD), I don’t.

Norton bought Avast, so will there be the same problems in the future for Avast products?

Afaik, no.

I found this in avast’s blog dated October 14, 2018. They already know the cost.

https://blog.avast.com/reclassify-cryptominers-as-tool-or-malware

New classification guidelines help you better understand the cryptominers that come knocking. Cryptomining has grown so rampant that we’ve revised the guidelines for how our software identifies and classifies mining programs. At Avast, we’re committed to keeping you protected, and this new classification system will provide our users with an added layer of security by keeping them informed and protected. We want to be sure that if cryptomining is at work on your system, it’s because you are wanting and allowing it. Moving forward, our software will label a miner as a Tool or as malware, depending on its behavior. [u]At best, cryptomining is concerning, drawing on your CPU power and raising your electricity bills. At worst, it can overheat your system, causing irreparable damage.[/u] For those reasons, Avast software will no longer label ANY cryptomining programs as clean.

https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=315187.msg1675317#msg1675317

Personally I can’t stand all of this speculation.

Over the years many things have changed but for the most part these components are configurable, e.g. you can elect not to install them or can disable them.
So in the meantime there is little point in speculating or worrying, so far we have had responses that isn’t current plans.

Should it ever happen (not saying it will) then is the time to act and vote with your feet.

We will learn more when the merger with Norton LifeLock is complete.

This is good news.

https://community.norton.com/en/blogs/product-service-announcements/thank-you-your-feedback-norton-crypto

Really should have been that way to start with.

Better still why would a security company get involved with crypto currency mining.

So they got caught with their hands in the cookie jar and are now
removing their hands and putting the cookies back.
Sounds like something else I’ve heard before.

Still leaves a bad taste in the mouth though. :stuck_out_tongue:

Welcome back common sense.

Norton and Avira Ethereum Mining: Why Are AV Vendors Offering Crypto Services?
https://www.av-comparatives.org/norton-and-avira-ethereum-mining-why-are-av-vendors-offering-crypto-services/

Cryptomining this way could seriously harm your computer.
It is damaging your hardware (video-card) in a bad way in the long run.

Waiting for the first blackhats that will adopt av-crypto-miners to their own pool.

At first AV started whining about every trace of your computer mining, and now they adopt to the latest craze.

polonus