Once assumed to be extinct until its unlikely return in the latter part of 2017, browser-based cryptocurrency mining dates back to 2011 when BitcoinPlus.com launched its then-innovative service.
Of course, back when Bitcoin was fairly new and mining was cheap, the idea of using a website to do the work for miners was quite popular. Thanks to a surge in the cryptocurrency market circa 2017, browser-based cryptocurrency mining has made a resurgence in certain circles today.
The technology’s evolution is also due in part to the advent of blockchain-based coins that are mineable with easy-to-use JavaScript application programming interfaces (APIs) and home hardware. However, the accessibility has also ushered in a slew of malicious browser-based mining services into the fold.
The foundation of cryptocurrencies, built on blockchain technology, is to safeguard financial transactions by embedding them in a public and immutable chain of blocks. To advance and maintain the system, new blocks must continually be attached to store all pending transactions, commonly known as mining.
Miners compete in solving a cryptographic puzzle, referred to as proof-of-work (PoW). The difficulty of this PoW adjusts continually to create new blocks at a consistent rate. This ensures that the process remains predictable and secure by ensuring tamper resistance. As more miners join in on the hunt to find blocks, the complexity increases, and the steady block creation stays intact.
What is browser-based cryptocurrency mining?
Browser-based mining is a method of cryptocurrency mining that happens inside a browser and uses scripting language. This method differs from the more commonly known file-based cryptocurrency mining approach, which requires downloading and running a dedicated executable file.
During the inception of browser-based mining in 2011, mining cryptocurrency was cheap and relatively easy. It used JavaScript code for pooled mining, and users could sign up and embed scripts in their websites to provide a way for page visitors to mine for them. Browser-based cryptocurrency miners only mined for Bitcoin (BTC) back then. But in recent times, newer cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR) are also mined through browser-based miners.
How does browser mining work?
Can you really mine cryptocurrency with a browser? The answer is yes. By embedding mining code into websites, one can leverage the computing capacity of website visitors to magnify their mining power. Browser mining takes advantage of website visitors’ computing power, allowing miners to significantly reduce their energy bills and hardware expenses.
Monero is an example of a cryptocurrency that enables browser-based mining. The cryptocurrency uses the RandomX hash function, a hashing algorithm used for certain PoW blockchains, such as Monero.
Designed to be application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)-resistant, RandomX uses random code execution and memory-hard techniques. This means that Monero’s PoW algorithm specifically prevents specialized mining hardware, like ASICs and graphics processing units, from dominating the network. RandomX is purposely optimized for general-purpose CPUs in the hopes of maintaining a more decentralized network and equal block reward distribution.
It suffices to say that this innovative approach to generating income from web-based services is becoming increasingly popular among those looking for added sources of income. However, browser mining is also used for more malicious purposes, as it can be abused to run cryptocurrency mining scripts on unsuspecting users’ machines without their consent or knowledge.
Hidden mining or mining without a user’s express consent is also known as “cryptojacking” and is typically done by embedding JavaScript code on a website or app. To avoid this, users should be careful about the …….