Latent mining script spotted in… Starbucks

We already know about mining viruses injected in popular websites and mobile applications, but the recent reports bring us another, and quite atypical example. According to multiple sources, the Wi-Fi in Starbucks in Buenos Aires contained a script linking any connected device to a latent mining mechanism by Coinhive. All reports cite Noah Dinkin, founder and CEO of Stensul, who was likely the first or one of the first to notice the problem.

Looks like the script was injected by a third party that breached the security of the cafe’s systems responsible for the work of Wi-Fi in it. Starbucks quite swiftly responded it’s going to delete this malicious script.

The whole story gives us another example of how public wireless networks are becoming insecure, and once again cryptocurrency is involved. Previously, a 36-year-old Bitcoin investor lost his fortune of $155,000 after his password was intercepted by hackers in a public Wi-Fi in Austrian restaurant. Obvious advice would be to enter cryptowallets only in places you are sure have secure connection, but with latent mining, one can get it even at home while browsing law-abiding websites.