Dec 13, 2017
Starbucks store's wi-fi made computers mine crypto-currency
The wi-fi service provided by one of the coffee chain's Buenos Aires outlets surreptitiously hijacked connected computers to use their processing power to create digital cash. Victims' computers are normally targeted via infected websites, but it is relatively unusual for a wi-fi hotspot to be involved. "As soon as we were alerted of the situation in this specific store last week, we took swift action to ensure our internet provider resolved the issue and made the changes needed in order to ensure our customers could use wi-fi in our store safely," Starbucks replied to Mr Dinkin's tweet, after investigating the issue. The company later told the Motherboard news website that the wi-fi service was not something it owned or controlled directly itself. "Always be wary when connecting to untrusted networks, public wi-fi hotspots are untrusted to you even if they are provided by a trusted brand," Don Smith, from Secureworks, told the BBC. "Indeed, connecting to these networks gives the provider an ability to intercept your communications."
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