Browser-based cryptocurrency mining: how it works and what you need to know

The History of Browser Mining

Browser-based cryptocurrency mining, once considered an outdated method, experienced an unexpected resurgence in the second half of 2017. This technology first appeared in 2011 when the service BitcoinPlus.com launched the first of its kind innovative tool for mining through a web interface.

In the early days of the cryptocurrency era, when Bitcoin was just gaining popularity and the mining process required minimal costs, the idea of using a website to perform mining operations sparked significant interest. The sharp rise of the cryptocurrency market around 2017 contributed to the second birth of this technology in certain segments of the industry.

The evolution of browser mining is closely related to the emergence of blockchain projects that can be mined using JavaScript APIs and regular home equipment. However, the availability of this technology has also led to the proliferation of malicious browser mining services.

Technical Foundations of Blockchain and Mining

The basis of blockchain-based cryptocurrencies is a mechanism for securing financial transactions by including them in a public and immutable chain of blocks. To develop and maintain the operation of the system, it is necessary to continually add new blocks containing pending transactions — this process is called mining.

Miners compete to solve cryptographic puzzles known as Proof of Work (PoW). The difficulty of these tasks is constantly adjusted to maintain a stable rate of new block creation. This ensures predictability and security of the process, protecting the network from unauthorized interference. As the number of miners increases, the difficulty rises, but the block creation rate remains unchanged.

What is browser-based cryptocurrency mining?

Browser mining is a method of cryptocurrency extraction that is performed directly in a web browser using scripting languages. This approach differs from traditional file mining, which requires downloading and running specialized software.

When browser mining appeared in 2011, the process of mining cryptocurrency was relatively simple and required minimal costs. The technology used JavaScript code for pool mining, allowing users to register and embed scripts on their websites so that visitors could mine cryptocurrency for the resource owner. Initially, browser miners only mined Bitcoin (BTC), but in recent years, solutions for mining other cryptocurrencies, such as Monero (XMR), have emerged.

The Principle of Browser Mining

Browser mining indeed allows for cryptocurrency mining through a regular web browser. The technology works by embedding special code on websites, which enables the use of visitors' computational power to increase the overall mining performance. This significantly reduces miners' expenses on electricity and equipment.

Monero is a prime example of a cryptocurrency that supports browser mining. This system utilizes the RandomX hash function, a hashing algorithm specifically designed for PoW-based blockchains like Monero.

RandomX is designed with resistance to ASIC miners ( and application-specific integrated circuits ) in mind, and employs methods of random code execution and high memory usage. The Monero PoW algorithm specifically counteracts the dominance of specialized mining hardware, including ASICs and GPUs. RandomX is optimized for general-purpose processors, which promotes greater decentralization of the network and an even distribution of block rewards.

This innovative approach to monetizing web services is becoming increasingly popular among those looking for additional sources of income. However, browser mining can also be used for malicious purposes – to run mining scripts on users' computers without their consent.

Hidden mining without the user's explicit consent, known as "cryptojacking," is typically carried out by embedding JavaScript code on a website or in an application. To protect against such threats, users are advised to carefully choose the websites they visit and to monitor the permissions granted to online services.

How to start cryptocurrency mining in the browser

Those interested in browser mining can easily get started with this technology by downloading and installing specialized services, such as CryptoTab Browser. A new user simply needs to create an account and use the internet as usual — mining will occur in the background, and the user will receive rewards in cryptocurrency. In CryptoTab Browser, rewards are paid out in BTC.

Users can typically enable and disable the mining process, as well as adjust its intensity according to their preferences. As long as the browser is open and the mining feature is activated, the system continues to operate and generate rewards. A cryptocurrency wallet is often linked to such browsers for the secure storage of earned funds.

The Brave browser also provides opportunities to interact with decentralized applications (DApps), including games, decentralized finance protocols (DeFi), decentralized exchanges (DEX), and much more. Most DApps available through cryptocurrency browsers externally resemble regular websites but are only accessible through specialized browsers.

Some popular browsers with cryptocurrency features:

• CryptoTab Browser
• Brave Browser
• Opera with a crypto wallet
• Mozilla Firefox with extensions for cryptocurrency
• Chrome with extensions for blockchain work

It's important to remember that browser-based cryptocurrency wallets only work with certain blockchains. For example, the MetaMask extension is compatible with Ethereum-based DApps, while Phantom is designed for the Solana network.

To ensure maximum security, it is recommended to choose a browser with a pre-installed wallet that is compatible with preferred DApps. Otherwise, you will have to install several additional extensions.

Economic Efficiency of Browser Mining

The profitability of browser mining depends on several factors, including the type of cryptocurrency being mined and the computing power of the device. Additionally, the value of cryptocurrencies is constantly changing, which affects the potential profit from mining.

Many consider browser mining an exciting and potentially profitable way to obtain cryptocurrency. For those who want to try this technology, there are several options that provide a simple and useful experience.

The advantages of browser mining include:

• Reduction of energy costs: browser mining eliminates the need for expensive equipment that consumes significant amounts of electricity. This allows for savings on electricity bills and reduces the carbon footprint.

• Accessibility: browser mining is available to anyone with a computer or laptop connected to the internet. This significantly simplifies the cryptocurrency mining process compared to specialized equipment such as ASIC miners, which can be expensive and hard to obtain.

• Autonomy: since browser mining does not require joining mining pools, it gives users more control over the mining process. This allows for customizing mining parameters according to individual preferences.

Security of Cryptocurrency Browsers

There are several common critical arguments against browser mining. One of them concerns the fact that modern cryptocurrency browsers do not fully support verified cryptographic APIs. This limitation mainly relates to native browser code, particularly JavaScript.

Another issue is related to the dependence on the level of SSL and server security, as most cryptocurrency browsers ultimately rely on the protection of the host server. Theoretically, if the server is compromised, an attacker could modify it or implant a backdoor, gaining unauthorized access bypassing security measures.

Users can take a number of measures to protect themselves when using cryptocurrency browsers. In particular, it is important to regularly update software and use strong passwords to secure wallets. Furthermore, caution should be exercised when visiting websites and avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources.

Overall, using trusted browsers with modern security features can protect against most common threats and create a safe environment for working with cryptocurrencies.