How to block websites using your CPU to dig virtual money

Last week, The Pirate Bay, a popular torrent site, received criticism from users when admitting to hiding information about testing a new service, using the user's CPU to dig virtual money. Coin Hive, the service used by Pirate Bay, allows you to dig Monero when the user is opening the tab in the browser without their permission

Website tries to make money for itself by digging tools to work as a botnet. When a user visits, the site finds the permission of the person to use the CPU. It then runs a complex hash function algorithm to find the string of characters and numbers used to dig virtual currency. Unlike Monero, complicated algorithmic currencies such as Bitcoin need more time and digging is also more expensive.

1. Guide to digging Bitcoin for beginners

When this news spread, the site had to explain its job, saying it was trying to generate revenue instead of advertising.

Knowing this method, it is possible that other websites are also using your computer's CPU to dig virtual money without you knowing. If you want to avoid this situation, here is a guide to block the website of virtual money digging through the browser by CPU.

Instructions to block websites using CPU to dig virtual money

The article will show you how to use the JavaScript blocking extension. Here are some existing browser utilities.

ScriptSafe for Chrome

This utility allows users to control web surfing and web browsing more safely, quite simply and intuitively. It prevents JavaScript from running by default. The only downside is that the ScriptSafe has no Whitelist, meaning that the script will be blocked on every page, including Google.com.

How to block websites using your CPU to dig virtual money Picture 1
Block JavaScript scripts from running by default with ScriptSafe on Chrome

Install minerBlock for Chrome

This Chrome utility is also useful to prevent websites from digging virtual money. A great feature is that you can choose otherwise if you don't mind the miner using your CPU. To do so, simply deleting the pages from the blocked domain list is possible.

NoCoin for Chrome

Another option is No Coin, which features domain blocking in the blicklist list in blacklist.txt. Clicking on the icon will display a button to stop / continue to block the virtual money digging website.

NoScript Security Suite for Firefox

This is a utility for Firefox users, which allows you to run only scripts from sites you trust and protect from XSS and Clickjacking attacks.