Monero Mining Malware Hits Russian Pipeline Giant Transneft

The world's largest oil pipeline reportedly had some of its computer systems affected by cryptocurrency mining malware.

AccessTimeIconDec 15, 2017 at 5:50 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 7:44 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

The world's largest oil pipeline operator reportedly had some of its computer systems affected by cryptocurrency mining malware.

Russian pipeline giant Transneft, according to Reuters, recently had to clear malware from its systems that clandestinely mined the privacy-oriented cryptocurrency monero. It's not clear how many computers were impacted, but Reuters quoted a senior Transneft official who referenced multiple "incidents" during which the malware was discovered.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • "Incidents where the company's hardware was used to manufacture cryptocurrency have been found. It could have a negative impact on the productivity of our processing capacity," Transneft vice-president Vladimir Rushailo reportedly told company executives during a meeting yesterday.

    Transneft said that it has moved to shore up its cybersecurity systems in order to prevent those kinds of malware from being downloaded onto its computer systems.

    The pipeline company is one of the most high-profile firms to date to be affected by the malware, which effectively operates in the background of a computer and uses spare capacity to mine cryptocurrencies.

    Several notable websites have been impacted in recent months, including a pay-per-view platform for Ultimate Fighting Challenge and an on-demand video service run by Showtime.

    According to a cybersecurity report published in October, the CoinHive monero mining software became the sixth-most malware that month.

    Pipeline image via Shutterstock

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.