Openload.co is a streaming site that employs malicious Javascript[1] to mine cryptocurrency with the help of Coinhive miner in Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or other browsers. While many website publishers can employ crypto mining software as a great alternative to annoying pop-ups and other intrusive ads, those who do not inform of such activity taking place, become straight out criminals. Utilizing visitors' CPU or/and GPU power to solve mathematical problems makes the computer run at almost full capacity, resulting in a slowdown or crashing of the system. Additionally, Openload.co visitors might receive a massive electricity bill, as intensive computer usage consumes a lot of energy. Therefore, users should always be warned about such activity, giving them the possibility to opt out.
Openload.co is not the only streaming site using the unfair techniques to mine crypto. According to reports, Streamango, Rapidvideo and Online Video Converter are also involved in a crypto-jacking scheme that is affecting almost 1 billion visitors monthly.
Many users might not even notice the changes in their system when they visit a crypto mining website like Openload.co and are busy converting or streaming videos. Nevertheless, there are several symptoms of crypto-mining scripts running, including:
Increased CPU usage
Battery drainage (on laptops)
Fans running on full speed
Hot air blown out of the PC
Due to all these symptoms, many users might refer to it as Openload.co virus. However, it is not malware as we know it, because no payload is executed on the targeted machine but rather the scripts are run directly inside the browser when the site in question is visited. The only way to remove Openload.co actions is by closing it down and never revisiting it.
