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Google Cloud launches new crypto mining threat detection feature

 


Google today rolled out a new security feature for Google Cloud tenants designed to detect and block cryptomining operations.


In a blog post, Google Cloud announced Virtual Machine Threat Detection (VMTD) in its Security Command Center (SCC) section. VMTD is a means of scanning compute engines on Google Cloud and successfully detects threats including crypto-mining malware used in virtual machines.


To avoid false positive detections, the feature has been disabled by default. However, each customer can enable them for their GCP VMs. A user can do this by going to their Security Command Center's Settings page and going to the Manage Settings section. Timothy Peacock, Product Manager for Google Cloud said:


"Over the next several months as we push VMTD toward general availability, you can expect a steady release of new detective features and integrations with other parts of Google Cloud."


Crypto mining malware attacks, sometimes called "cryptojacking," are a constant nuisance in the industry. While browser-based cryptojacking activity skyrocketed in the 2019 bear market, cloud-based crypto mining continues to be a problem for the industry.


As for crypto-mining malware attacks, Google has made concerted efforts to curb the onslaught of malicious actors who exploit CPU power and flow of unwitting internet users to mine cryptocurrencies. In 2018, over 55% of businesses worldwide were reportedly affected, including Google's Youtube.


VMTD follows several recent additions to Google Cloud's security arsenal as the third largest cloud provider upgrades its enterprise products and services.


Last month, Google Cloud acquired security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) provider Siemplify to leverage this capability internally. Google Cloud plans to integrate Siemplify with its Chronicle security analytics platform to "help organizations modernize and automate their security operations," Google Cloud Security VP and GM Sunil Potti wrote in a blog post.

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