BlackBerry and Intel partner to stop cryptojacking malware

18th June 2020

BlackBerry

Lanna Deamer

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BlackBerry has announced the release of BlackBerry Optics v2.5.1100 with cryptomining and cryptojacking malware detection for Intel-based commercial PCs. To detect advanced cryptojacking malware, the BlackBerry Optics Context Analysis Engine (CAE) leverages unique CPU telemetry from Intel Threat Detection Technology (Intel TDT) to provide enterprises and SMBs unparalleled detection of cryptojacking attempts.

BlackBerry has collaborated with Intel on technology that effectively stops cryptojacking. With virtually no processor impact and easy configuration, organisations can detect and mitigate cryptojacking with greater precision and consistent results across all types of workloads executing on Windows 10 operating systems.

Cryptojacking is the installation of malware on a device in order to hijack computing power to mine cryptocurrency without the user’s knowledge. Many cryptojacking operations will utilise small quantities of power from many different machines to create a pool of processing power. This technique makes large corporations and businesses an ideal target for easy infection of multiple machines once access is gained.

According to a recently published report, “around 10% of organisations received (and blocked) Cryptocurrency mining malware at some point throughout the course of the year.”

“Given the cost associated with mining cryptocurrency and the payments of ransomware demands on the decline, cryptojacking becomes an attractive option for threat actors to generate revenue,” said Josh Lemos, VP, Research & Intelligence. “With our new cryptojacking detection and response capabilities, we’re looking to make this practice a thing of the past, providing enterprises and their employees with a turn-key solution that will enable them to thwart cryptojacking attempts and ensure their software and hardware are used for their intended purposes. The days of exploiting unsuspecting users for free CPU time are over.”

“As hackers use more sophisticated tactics to bypass detection, it’s more important than ever to have built-in hardware security features,” said Stephanie Hallford, Intel Vice President of the Client Computing Group and General Manager of Business Client Platforms.

“Building on top of the built-for-business Intel vPro platform, enabled by Intel Hardware Shield, BlackBerry takes advantage of hardware visibility to offer advanced security protection, and we applaud them for this release.”