Should we worry?
However these mining apps are part of a much bigger issue, which has seen Google do little more than make policy changes to protect its Play Store users from
malicious cryptocurrency apps.
In all fairness, this is hardly the first time Google has been caught allowing potentially dangerous apps on the Play Store. In a way, the cryptocurrency ban is a direct response to the risk of
crypto-jacking scripts.
Outlawing on-device cryptocurrency mining apps on the Play Store is a move designed to protect against malicious developers, seeking to profit on the backs of users.
...
.....
...
Then there is the risk of physical damage. “If you leave a mobile device plugged in while mining cryptocurrency unthrottled, there is a legitimate risk it could lead to
physical damage.”
However, removing the apps from the Play Store creates another concern. There will always be people who want to mine cryptocurrency, and they will do it anyway they can. Removing the apps doesn’t mean they won’t be available elsewhere.
What we may see is the rise of third-party cryptocurrency mining apps that users must install from untrusted developers. This opens the door for more malicious, illegitimate apps, which could cause possible permanent damage to users’ devices.
It’s clear that Google need to sharpen up when it comes to enforcing their policy updates. But even if these mining apps do get removed, it doesn’t mean that the world will be entirely safe from crypto-jacking or cryptocurrency mining malware.
Smartphones are not cryptocurrency miners. As Mursch puts it: “mobile devices are not designed, nor optimized to mine cryptocurrency.”
