In addition to Android apps sideloaded from unsecure third parties, which can contain malicious code that can turn devices into slow cryptocurrency miners, antivirus provider Trend Micro has discovered two legitimate Google Play apps that have between them over one million downloads. The firm also found that the apps can turn Android smartphones and tablets into digital currency-miners without the users knowing what’s happening. Mining for digital currency – including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin and many others – requires lots of computing power and energy consumption. Furthermore, doing so on mobile devices that aren’t as powerful as traditional computers, or rigs especially built for crytpocurrency mining purposes, may put additional strain on them, leading to increased energy consumption and heat generation.



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