There are many websites that use the hardware on your phone and computer to mine cryptocurrencies, which in turn can be very harmful to your device. Worst of all, there’s no easy way to find out which website is harmful and which is not, as many sites won’t notify you that they’re using your device to mine cryptocurrency.
Instead, all it requires is a few lines of Javascript code, runs in the background while you browse the web, and you may see system slowdowns, reduced battery life, and the overall longevity of your components being severely compromised. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Follow this guide so you can prevent websites from using your phone or computer hardware to mine cryptocurrency.
Block Cryptocurrency Mining: Via Browser Extension
If you use Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera or Safari on your desktop, you can install Adblock Plus (Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox | Microsoft Edge | Opera | Safari), which makes blocking coin mining scripts very easy. AdBlock Plus blocks coin mining websites from running scripts on your browser.
Apart from this, you can also try using the Ghostery extension (Google Chrome | Mozilla Firefox | Microsoft Edge | Opera | Safari) which will also block some of these scripts. If you find that your browser is not blocking any specific coin mining script, you can email Ghostery and have it added to the database.
Block Cryptocurrency Mining: With Antivirus Apps
Most antivirus software now blocks cryptocurrency mining scripts. The only problem is that this feature may not be available in the free tier and you may need to pay. Malwarebytes is one of several antivirus applications that allow you to block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Windows and Mac. The advantage of this method is that it blocks these scripts system-wide, so there is no need to enable it individually in browsers and applications.
Block Cryptocurrency Mining: On iPhone and iPad
These cryptocurrency mining sites can be easily blocked on iOS as long as you use Safari, Firefox or Opera. There are two ways to solve this problem on Safari – disable Javascript, or use a content blocker application such as 1Blocker. Here’s how to disable Javascript on Safari for iOS.
- Go to set up > hunting trip.
- tap advanced > Disable JavaScript.
Note that this will break many websites and you may not be able to read or watch content online as before. A website may look like it was designed in 1995—with too much text, nonfunctional buttons, and a lack of images or videos, which is far from ideal in this day and age. Using a content blocker app is a better approach. Follow the steps below to use 1Blocker in Safari.
- Install 1Blocker.
- Go to set up > hunting trip > content blocker and enable 1 interceptor.
- 1Blocker lets you enable any kind of filter for free, so open 1Blocker and enable Block Trackers to block coin mining sites.
Currently, we are unable to find a way to block these scripts in the Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers on iOS. However, if you do use Opera Touch or Mozilla Firefox, you can enable built-in settings to block ads and cryptocurrency mining. Follow the steps below to block cryptocurrency mining in Opera Touch.
- Open Opera Touch > Click browser icon.
- tap set up > Enable ad blocking > Enable Cryptocurrency Mining Protection.
Follow the steps below to block cryptocurrency mining in Mozilla Firefox.
- Open Firefox > click hamburger Icon > Go to set up.
- choose Tracking protection > Enable Enhanced tracking protection > Set the protection level to strict.
Block Cryptocurrency Mining: On Android
On Android, it’s easy to block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera. Follow the steps below to block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Chrome.
- Click three points In the upper right corner> set up > Site settings.
- Click now JavaScript and disable it.
- If you want to enable Javascript on a specific website, click Add site exception And manually add the URL of the website you want to allow Javascript.
Follow the steps below to block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Firefox.
- Click three points and go to set up.
- Under Privacy & Security, click Enhanced tracking protection.
- enable Enhanced tracking protection and set the protection level to strict.
Follow the steps below to block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Edge.
- Click three points > set up > content blocker.
- enable block ads For Adblock Plus.
Follow the steps below to block cryptocurrency mining scripts on Opera.
- Click browser icon > set up > Enable ad blocking.
This will block all cryptocurrency mining scripts on Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera for Android.
This should protect you from cryptocurrency mining on the internet. What methods do you use to protect yourself from this situation? Let us know in the comments. For more tutorials, visit our how-to section.
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