BlackBerry and Intel launch cryptojacking detection tool

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BlackBerry has partnered with American tech giant Intel Corporation to develop a cryptojacking detection tool for enterprise systems. The tool will rely on artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect digital currency block reward mining malware without impacting the systems’ processors.

Known as the BlackBerry Optics Context Analysis Engine (CAE), the new tool will target Intel-based commercial PCs. BlackBerry stated in its press release that the tool has ‘virtually no processor impact’ and is easy to configure. It will enable its users to detect cryptojacking more precisely and with greater consistency. 

The tool is the latest addition to the BlackBerry Optics, an endpoint detection and response platform developed by the smartphone-cum-software developer. It relies on machine learning to automate threat detection and enhance security.

BlackBerry has now integrated Intel’s vPro threat detection technology, a hardware-based security solution that complements Intel’s software security tools.

Through the integration, users will be able to detect and respond to cryptojacking instances without having to access the affected application.

Josh Lemos, BlackBerry’s research and intelligence vice president, said, “With our new cryptojacking detection and response capabilities, we’re looking to make this practice a thing of the past, providing enterprises and their employees with a turn-key solution that will enable them to thwart cryptojacking attempts and ensure their software and hardware are used for their intended purposes.”

While it may have stopped receiving widespread media attention, cryptojacking is still a big threat, especially to enterprise systems. In some countries, cryptojacking incidents have spiked in 2020. One of them is Singapore, which recorded a 300% surge in cryptojacking attempts in the first quarter of the year.

Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Labs revealed in early June that it had blocked 11,700 attempts in Singapore, up from 2,900 attempts in a similar period in 2019. Other Southeast Asian countries had also recorded a rise in cryptojacking attempts, especially attacks targeting enterprise systems, the firm revealed.