mining Archives

Winsage

November 8, 2024

Windows PCs targeted by new malware hitting a vulnerable driver

Researchers have identified a new threat campaign called SteelFox, which uses counterfeit software activators and cracks to infiltrate Windows systems. The campaign deploys a vulnerable driver, information-stealing malware, and a cryptocurrency miner, compromising sensitive data and exploiting system resources for illicit mining. Victims are reported globally, including regions from Brazil to China, affecting users of commercial software like Foxit PDF Editor, JetBrains, and AutoCAD. Cybercriminals continue to advertise these fake software solutions, increasing the potential for further infections.

Tech Optimizer

November 8, 2024

New malware SteelFox targets Windows users through fake software activators

A new malware named "SteelFox" is targeting Windows users by using counterfeit software activators to infiltrate systems, leading to cryptocurrency mining and data theft. Since February 2023, it has spread rapidly, primarily through torrent sites and online forums, masquerading as legitimate software cracks for programs like AutoCAD and Foxit PDF Editor. Upon installation, it deploys a risky driver called WinRingO.sys, exploiting vulnerabilities CVE-2021-41285 and CVE-2020-14979, which allows attackers to gain full access to the infected computer. The malware uses XMRig for crypto mining, causing performance issues and increased utility bills, while also stealing sensitive data from over 13 web browsers. Countries with high infection rates include Mexico, Brazil, Russia, China, and India. Kaspersky has blocked over 11,000 attempted attacks, but the actual number of infections may be much higher. To protect against SteelFox, users are advised to download software only from verified sources, maintain updated antivirus software, avoid pirated software, and keep systems current with security patches.

BetaBeacon

November 7, 2024

Play Games, Earn Bitcoin: The Best iOS and Android Games That Pay You BTC

Bitcoin Miner is an iOS and Android game where players mine fake coins but earn real Bitcoin.

AppWizard

November 5, 2024

IllusiveMC: A Thriving Non-Vanilla Minecraft SMP Community

IllusiveMC is a non-vanilla SMP server for Minecraft that supports both Java and Bedrock Editions, accessible on computers, phones, tablets, and consoles. It features mcMMO for skill leveling, Voting Crates and Supply Drops for rewards, VeinMiner for efficient mining, and Silk-Touchable Spawners for collecting mob spawners. The server promotes collaboration and competition through Clans and Player Shops, and offers Land Claims for protecting builds. Community involvement is emphasized, with administrators seeking player feedback and maintaining a safe environment through active moderation. Players can join the IllusiveMC Discord for community interaction. The server can be accessed at illusiveMC.com:25581. For media inquiries, contact Minebrowse at 203-301-8294 or via their website minebrowse.com.

AppWizard

October 28, 2024

ROCKET-1 mines diamonds in Minecraft by seeing and tracking objects in real time

A team of researchers has developed ROCKET-1, a method to improve AI agents' precision in virtual environments like Minecraft by combining object detection and tracking with advanced AI models. The technique "Visual-temporal context prompting" enhances interaction capabilities without relying on traditional language or diffusion models. ROCKET-1 operates with a hierarchical structure that includes GPT-4o for planning, Molmo for object identification, and SAM-2 for real-time tracking and masking of objects. The system was trained using OpenAI's "Contractor" dataset, which contains 1.6 billion images of human gameplay. SAM-2 analyzes gameplay in reverse to identify and mark objects interacted with by players. ROCKET-1 has demonstrated high success rates in various tasks, achieving up to 100 percent success in seven tasks, although it struggles with objects outside its field of view or those not previously encountered, requiring increased computational effort.

BetaBeacon

October 27, 2024

Top 20 best farming games for Android phones and tablets

Stardew Valley is a popular farming game on Android where players inherit a farm from their grandfather and can build it up, interact with locals, attend festivals, and more. The game is based on energy that can be regenerated by sleeping or going to hot baths.

AppWizard

October 25, 2024

The Complete Guide to Minecraft Pickaxes

Pickaxes in Minecraft are essential tools for mining blocks and gathering resources, available in various types with unique attributes: - Wooden Pickaxe: Basic tool made from wooden planks, low durability and efficiency. - Stone Pickaxe: Crafted from cobblestone, allows mining of iron ore. - Iron Pickaxe: Made from iron ingots, offers greater durability and speed, essential for higher-tier ores like diamonds. - Golden Pickaxe: Faster mining than iron but has low durability. - Diamond Pickaxe: High durability and efficiency, can mine all block types, including obsidian. - Netherite Pickaxe: Superior to diamond, made with netherite ingots, providing unmatched durability and efficiency. Enchantments can enhance pickaxes: - Efficiency: Increases mining speed. - Unbreaking: Extends tool lifespan. - Fortune: Increases resource yield. - Silk Touch: Allows blocks to drop themselves instead of items. Advanced mining techniques include: 1. Branch Mining: Main tunnel with side branches for ore discovery. 2. Strip Mining: Clearing horizontal layers for resources. 3. Cave Mining: Exploring natural caves for exposed blocks. 4. Quarry Mining: Digging a large pit to bedrock for resources. Benefits of dedicated Minecraft hosting for mining projects: - Performance: Smoother gameplay with reduced lag. - Backup and Restore: Secure mining progress. - Collaborative Mining: Invite friends for joint projects. - Custom Plugins and Mods: Enhance the mining experience. Maintenance and repair of pickaxes can be done using: - Anvils: Repair by combining with the same material or another pickaxe. - Mending Enchantment: Repairs using experience points. - Regular Upgrades: Upgrade from wooden to netherite for efficiency. Tips for effective mining include: - Utilize branch and cave mining. - Use a beacon with Haste II for speed. - Monitor pickaxe durability and manage inventory effectively.

AppWizard

October 20, 2024

Minecraft: Best Y Level for Iron – 9meters

Iron is essential for crafting tools, armor, and various items in Minecraft. The ideal Y level for mining iron in Minecraft 1.20 is 16, where ore distribution is most favorable. Iron ore can be found at Y levels ranging from -24 to 256, with three primary zones of prevalence: -24 to 56, 0 to 128, and 80 to 256. For effective mining, focus on Y level 16 or Y level 232 in mountainous regions. Iron ore generation is very high at Y=16 and high at Y=232. Other Y levels have moderate to low iron availability. The 1.18 update introduced a triangular distribution for iron ore, making it more abundant in mid-range levels, particularly around Y 16. Mining techniques include strip mining at Y=16, cave exploration, and branch mining. Using a Fortune-enchanted pickaxe increases iron yield. Iron can be used to craft tools, armor, weapons, gadgets, and building materials. Iron farms can be constructed to spawn iron golems for automated collection of iron.

AppWizard

October 15, 2024

Over 200 malicious apps on Google Play downloaded millions of times

Zscaler's analysis revealed that over 200 malicious applications on Google Play accumulated nearly eight million downloads between June 2023 and April 2024. The identified malware families included Joker (38.2%), Adware (35.9%), Facestealer (14.7%), Coper (3.7%), Loanly Installer (2.3%), Harly (1.4%), and Anatsa (0.9%). In May 2023, Zscaler flagged more than 90 malicious apps on Google Play with 5.5 million downloads. The Necro malware loader was downloaded 11 million times, and Goldoson malware infiltrated 60 legitimate apps with 100 million downloads. Zscaler blocked an average of 1.7 million malware transactions per month, totaling 20 million during the analysis period. Spyware infections surged, particularly from SpyLoan, SpinOK, and SpyNote, with 232,000 blocks recorded. The most targeted countries were India, the United States, Canada, South Africa, and the Netherlands. The education sector saw a 136.8% increase in blocked transactions due to mobile malware. Users are advised to read reviews, verify app publishers, and scrutinize permissions to mitigate malware risks.

Tech Optimizer

October 13, 2024

Securing PostgreSQL from Cryptojacking Campaigns in Kubernetes

Recent findings indicate significant vulnerabilities in PostgreSQL due to misconfigurations that can enable unauthorized shell command execution on the operating system. The COPY SQL command combined with the pg_execute_server_program role facilitates these vulnerabilities, especially when PostgreSQL services are exposed via Kubernetes ingress. PostgreSQL is the third most targeted application among Google customers, with weak passwords being a common vector for initial access in 41% of observed compromises. Misconfigured instances, particularly manual deployments, often lack proper authentication controls, user roles, and permissions. The use of “trust” authentication allows users from any IP to connect without a password, potentially granting superuser privileges. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious commands, such as downloading cryptocurrency mining software. CrowdStrike's Falcon platform provides protection against threats targeting PostgreSQL by detecting and preventing malicious activities. Best practices for securing PostgreSQL include using strong passwords, securing configuration files, enabling SSL/TLS, auditing user roles, and adopting a Zero Trust approach to access control.