[![Logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PANW_Parent.png)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/) [![Unit42 Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/unit42-logo-white.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) Menu * [Tools](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tools/) * [ATOMs](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atoms/) * [Security Consulting](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42) * [About Us](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/about-unit-42/) * [**Under Attack?**](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/contact-unit42.html) * [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/ "Threat Research") * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/ "Malware") [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) # Threat Brief: Malware Authors Mine Monero Across the Globe in a Big Way ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 3 min read * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/author/unit42/) * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:January 24, 2018 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Cybercrime](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cybercrime/) * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/malware/) * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [Cryptocurrency](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptocurrency/) * [Cryptocurrency mining](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptocurrency-mining/) * [Monero](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/monero/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-brief-malware-authors-mine-monero-across-globe-big-way/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=c280d701ab "Click here to download") * [![Print Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-print.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/threat-brief-malware-authors-mine-monero-across-globe-big-way/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=c280d701ab "Click here to print") Share![Down arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/down-arrow.svg) * ![Link 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Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fthreat-brief-malware-authors-mine-monero-across-globe-big-way%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=Threat%20Brief:%20Malware%20Authors%20Mine%20Monero%20Across%20the%20Globe%20in%20a%20Big%20Way%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fthreat-brief-malware-authors-mine-monero-across-globe-big-way%2F "Share in Mastodon") In October 2017, Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 published [research](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2017/10/threat-brief-drive-mining-adapting-old-attack-mine-cryptocurrencies/) showing how attackers were adapting attack techniques to generate cryptocurrency for themselves. In that research, we also showed how these attacks were very broad and grew very quickly. At the time, we said that the sudden, surging value of cryptocurrencies was likely behind the sudden, strong rise of these new attacks. We said that if cryptocurrency values continue to remain high, we could expect to see attackers continue to focus on finding ways to carry out attacks to gain cryptocurrency, and that those attacks would continue to adapt proven attack techniques. Unit 42 has just released new research showing that attackers are indeed continuing to adapt existing techniques to generate cryptocurrency. In our research posting "[Large Scale Monero Cryptocurrency Mining Operation using XMRig](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2018/01/unit42-large-scale-monero-cryptocurrency-mining-operation-using-xmrig/)" we detail a new malware campaign that is global in scale, very large in the likely number of victims and uses well established techniques to mine the [Monero]() cryptocurrency. ![Monero\_brief1](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Monero_brief1.png) Monero is a cryptocurrency similar to [bitcoin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin_mining) but notable for its increased emphasis on providing a higher level of privacy around its transactions. Like bitcoin, Monero is generated through "[mining](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin_mining)" a computationally intensive process that provides cryptocurrency credit in exchange for computing resources provided in service to the cryptocurrency and its transaction infrastructure. The operation that Unit 42 has recently uncovered works to deliver XMRig, software that is used to mine the Monero cryptocurrency, to victims' systems without their knowledge or consent. While XMRig isn't itself specifically malware, it's being delivered using malware-delivery techniques without the user's knowledge and consent just like malware. The attackers are doing this by using URL shorteners to make XMRig look like other, legitimate, and expected programs. This is a method attackers have used for years to deliver malware and they are using it now to get coinmining software on to people's systems illicitly. The attackers' use of URL shortners enables our Unit 42 researchers to get an idea of the size, scope, and scale of this operation. And these are all notable and sobering. First, this is a young campaign. Our research shows this operation to be only about four months old. Second, this is a very large campaign. Our researchers can show that about one-half of the samples we found have affected 15 million people worldwide. While we can't see how many people the other half of the samples affect, it's a reasonable supposition that the other half of the total samples affect just as many people as the half we can see. This would mean that this operation may affect about 30 million people worldwide. In terms of who's been affected by this operation, again, we can only see half of those who have been affected. But what we do see shows that this is a truly global operation. This operation affected countries around the globe, but it appears that southeast Asia, northern Africa, and countries in South America were hit the most as shown below. ![Monero Brief 2](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Monero-Brief-2.png) *Malicious downloads by country* The specific breakout of countries affected, and their download counts are as follows: 1. Thailand -- 3,545,437 2. Vietnam -- 1,830,065 3. Egypt -- 1,132,863 4. Indonesia -- 988,163 5. Turkey -- 665,058 6. Peru -- 646,985 7. Algeria -- 614,870 8. Brazil -- 550,053 9. Philippines -- 406,294 10. Venezuela -- 400,661 Taking all those points together, this is operation is very large and clearly very effective. It shows how attackers are aggressively focusing their operations and campaigns on generating and acquiring cryptocurrency. From a threat point of view, there are two things that are notable. First is the fact that from an attack technique point of view, there is nothing new here. The tactics and techniques are not new or sophisticated. Second is the fact that this operation is clearly very successful based on its size, scope, and age. Looking at this latest operation on the continuum of evolving cryptocurrency-focused threats, it's clear that this is an early-stage threat given its lack of sophistication and reuse of established techniques and tactics. But given how quickly and broadly successful it is, combined with the continued high value of cryptocurrencies, we can also conclude that attackers will continue to focus on cryptocurrency and likely will evolve their techniques and tactics quickly. Cryptocurrency-focused threats is a key area that all defenders should focus their intelligence and prevention efforts around in 2018. Meanwhile, see our [full research blog](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2018/01/unit42-large-scale-monero-cryptocurrency-mining-operation-using-xmrig/) for full details on how attackers are distributing and using XMRig to generate Monero. Back to top ### Tags * [Cryptocurrency](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptocurrency/ "Cryptocurrency") * [Cryptocurrency mining](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptocurrency-mining/ "Cryptocurrency mining") * [Monero](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/monero/ "Monero") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: Large Scale Monero Cryptocurrency Mining Operation using XMRig](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42-large-scale-monero-cryptocurrency-mining-operation-using-xmrig/ "Large Scale Monero Cryptocurrency Mining Operation using XMRig") ### Related Articles * [Vidar Stealer Unmasked: Code Signing Abuse, Go Loaders and File Inflation](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/vidar-stealer-xmrig-miner-campaign-analysis/ "article - table of contents") * [Gremlin Stealer's Evolved Tactics: Hiding in Plain Sight With Resource Files](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/gremlin-stealer-evolution/ "article - table of contents") * [01flip: Multi-Platform Ransomware Written in Rust](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-ransomware-01flip-written-in-rust/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Resources ![Pictorial representation of a pay-per-install threat group campaign prodiving infection service for spreading malware. 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A vibrant digital interface displaying various icons and graphs, resembling a futuristic network or data analysis dashboard. 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Close-up view of a digital screen displaying a glitched and pixelated image of a skull-like shape.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/02_Malware_Category_1920x900-2-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 20, 2026 [#### Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/communication-channel-identity-risks/) * [Authentication](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/authentication/ "authentication") * [Identity theft](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/identity-theft/ "identity theft") * [Malware](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/malware/ "malware") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/communication-channel-identity-risks/ "Identity Abuse Through Trusted Communication Channels") ![Pictorial representation of Kimwolf botnet malware family. Digital screen with a warning sign reading "Malware." 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A close-up of a computer circuit board with a central microchip is depicted. Red digital data streams in the form of glowing binary numbers and arrows appear to flow in and out of the chip. 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A person types on a laptop with multiple digital interface elements projected, including an "AI" icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/AdobeStock_1246251272-2-786x369.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 6, 2026 [#### Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/) * [AI API](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-api/ "AI API") * [AI gateway](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai-gateway/ "AI gateway") * [API keys](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/api-keys/ "API keys") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-token-jacking/ "Token Jacking: Cybercriminals Could Be Stealing Your AI Resources") ![Pictorial representation of malware bypassing DNS and communicating directly to IP addresses. Futuristic digital cityscape with glowing blue and orange geometric structures, resembling skyscrapers.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/07_DNS_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) August 4, 2026 [#### Almost Half of Malware Samples Communicate Direct to IP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/malware-bypass-dns-direct-to-ip/) * [Command and Control](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/command-and-control/ "Command and Control") * [D2IP](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/d2ip/ "D2IP") * [Exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/exfiltration/ "exfiltration") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/malware-bypass-dns-direct-to-ip/ "Almost Half of Malware Samples Communicate Direct to IP") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. 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