Follow sound security practices to avoid falling prey to crypto jacking

Avoid downloading free content, keep your software updated, and seek a cyber security expert's advice if your computer slows down excessively

Incidents of cryptojacking are rising. Many Indian websites, including those belonging to state governments, municipal corporations, and even those of Union ministers have been hijacked in recent times. In April this year, more than 2,000 computers belonging to the Aditya Birla Group were the targeted of such an attack. According to a study by Kaspersky Lab, the number of incidents of cryptojacking worldwide in 2016-17 stood at 1.9 million. It rose to 2.7 million in 2017-18, an increase of a little more than 42 per cent.

In a cryptojacking attack, hackers gain unauthorised access to your computer. They then use your