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Google Bans Chrome Extensions That Mine Cryptocurrencies From the Web Store (bleepingcomputer.com)
An anonymous reader writes: Google announced that effective today, the Chrome Web Store review staff would stop accepting new extensions on the Web Store that perform cryptocurrency mining. Existing Chrome extensions that perform cryptocurrency mining will be delisted sometime in late June. The decision came after Google saw a rise in extensions that performed hidden in-browser mining (cryptojacking) behind the users' backs, in background processes.
Even if Google has not said it outright, the company has taken this step to protect Chrome's image. Cryptojacking scripts have a huge impact on a computer's responsiveness, and when most users investigate, they see Chrome's processes hogging CPU resources. Very few of these users will be able to track the spike in CPU usage back to an extension. Google has worked incredibly hard to create the image that Chrome is today's fastest browser, and the company isn't going to stand by and watch some extension developers ruin Chrome's brand so that some devs can make a few Monero on the side.
Even if Google has not said it outright, the company has taken this step to protect Chrome's image. Cryptojacking scripts have a huge impact on a computer's responsiveness, and when most users investigate, they see Chrome's processes hogging CPU resources. Very few of these users will be able to track the spike in CPU usage back to an extension. Google has worked incredibly hard to create the image that Chrome is today's fastest browser, and the company isn't going to stand by and watch some extension developers ruin Chrome's brand so that some devs can make a few Monero on the side.
I'm sure some names on the list would surprise us.
I had no idea you could mine Cryptocurrencies from the Web Store.
You learn something new everyday!
How would I know they did this? Unless the extensions are open source I have no idea what they are doing. Google should be requiring open source.
Your summary is a type of logical fallacy known as ad hominem.
"I'm so moist I'm sticking to the leather." -Kermit the Frog on The Late Late Show
This is a bot that keeps posting this.
and poisoning the well.
That was a legitimately interesting story.
Just another second banana
Ad Who???
He's a bloody AC hiding behind a shred of anonymity to spread bullshit on the web.
It's amazing how Shashdot, otherwise known as a place where smart people gather, groans under the weight of cryptocurrency-related ignorance.
And yes, I am tired of endlessly trying to debunk all those retarded "myths" that are flung around like feces thrown by monkeys. Cryptocurrency bashing looks more and more like a fucking religion: a bucketful of nonsense repeated all over again.
Here's why what he's saying is insane:
(about cryptocurencies) "why they attract so many criminals/criminal activity?"
Because they allow value to be easily transferred from one place to another, offer some anonymity, are easy to carry around and don't take room, to name a few reasons. They're a very good alternative to cash. It doesn't mean they're a bad innovation, quite the contrary. It also means they're misused, but not everything that's misused is a bad idea, see gunpowder and dynamite.
"Could it really be because, all cryptocurrencies themselves are scams, and that is why they attract all kinds of criminals/criminal activity?"
No, that's ridiculous.
1. Generally, saying "ALL this is that" is stupid. Dealing with absolutes is generally stupid.
2. Many well established cryptocurrencies are not scams. At the same time, most newer (2017 and beyond) cryptcurrencies are indeed created with the sole purpose of extracting money out of stupid people's pockets for as long as possible, much like most of whatever's being produced and sold worldwide, from newest flagship phones to risky loans and credit cards. Now, if those scammy ICOs are illegal, we (theoretically) have police and it should deal with that. If they're legal, then all i can say to the dummies who spent money on them is "oops".
"If so-called cryptocurrencies are really currency, why no company/store can use Bitcoin as currency anymore?"
False statement. Just look at coinmap.org - it's full of companies accepting Bitcoin. Also, it looks like for most people cryptomarket = bitcoin - also false.
"Would the result be different, if Bitcoin replaced by any other "cryptocurrency"?
Aren't all work the same way?"
No, they're not. And while we're at it, look at HOW is the AC writing. The word structure is consistent with Slavic languages, with which I am familiar. Anyways, there's a wide variety of cryptocurrency infrastructures. Some offer full anonymity through either obfuscation (Monero) or coin mixing (VIVO), others reward coin ownership through the ability to run masternodes (VIVO), others are aimed at very fast transfers (Dash), others have the capability of acting as exchange medium (Vertcoin) or offer effortless mining without extra energy consumption (Unitus), or multi-algorithm mining (Myriad).
So another false statement.
Or, they are not actually virtual currency but virtual investment?
But, if they are actually investment, why we need/want them?
What would happen to world economy, if people invested in virtual investments, instead of real investments?
(note the word structure, "they are not" instead of "are they not")
Some are virtual investments, of course. In finance, they're called futures IIRC.
Why do we want them? Because it's a type of technology which offers an alternative to "classic" value transfer methods, such as cash and bank-supported value transfers.
And nothing would happen to the world economy if people would start investing in virtual coins.
The rest is the same idiotic blabbering, ending with a big bang:
All cryptocurrencies need to be banned globally before it is too late!
So does Putin, but at least there are plenty worrisome reasons to ban Putin.
Also, "too late" for what exactly?
Yeah... again I wrote a wall of text which is like a drop in an ocean full of ignorance. That's why I gave up and just resort to labeling posts like the OP's as "ramblings of a madman". Saves me time and energy.
...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)
Because some scripts like Iridium kindly ask for your donation trough mining. (That's the most right way, that it could be used)
Why are cryptocurrencies even in the web store?!? Maybe the tool is doing everyone a favour?
Requiem for the American Dream
Approved ads get nice encryption from your brand to all the users.
Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
So, how much will you be losing when the crypto fantasy dies, hmm?
Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
Nothing, really. I entered late and my cryptocurrency assets are now valued at around 200 dollars, highest value was around 500 dollars, all mined with my preexisting GPUs, none bought with cash. If they dip to zero it won't make me any poorer. Same if their value increases tenfold.
It's more of a hobby, really, and I am interested in this type of technology. Yes, it's in its infancy and it does have many flaws currently, however this applied to literally everything new in the past.
...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)
Why have large corporations, central banks and other rich people united behind their opposition to cryptocurrencies?
It's almost as if they are protecting us peasants from making, or even having, a tiny amount of money outside their control!
I'll see your Constitution and raise you a Queen.
Interesting to see your thought process there. You're stupid, but it's interesting to see it. Nice JACQing off there, pard.
I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
If someone's argument is rambling, vague, and composed entirely of questions, it's not ad-hominem to dismiss it. Standards.
I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
Must be really frustrating not having your cpu cycles taken to make money for a stranger.
I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
So they said "Sorry, we removed this by accident."
And your response to them was... "Why?"?
I do not want your cheap brainburning drugs. They are useless for work. And I am a working man today.
was thinking about this yesterday but not doing it. afraid of hacks to my chrome