Google Cloud is now offering a special protection program for certain customers who use their advanced cyber threat detector called Security Command Center Premium. This program is designed to help protect customers from undetected attacks where hackers use their cloud accounts for crypto mining.
Crypto mining attacks involve hackers using someone else’s computer power to mine cryptocurrencies like Monero (XMR). These attacks can cause financial and security issues for organizations that lack proper preventive measures and threat detection capabilities.
Google Cloud’s decision to provide this protection came after their Cybersecurity Action Team found that in 65% of cases involving compromised cloud accounts, hackers were using them for cryptocurrency mining. These attacks are often automated, making them quick and easy for hackers to carry out.
If a hacker manages to bypass Google’s detection systems and uses a customer’s cloud account for crypto mining, Google will now take responsibility for the customer’s expenses. They will cover costs of up to $1 million for any bills incurred as a result of the attack, keeping in mind that this protection tool is only for mining software, not for mining bitcoins.
In a similar incident that was previously reported on Todayq news in November 2022, Google Cloud made an announcement that further highlighted its commitment to the blockchain ecosystem. The company revealed that it was actively running a validator on the Solana blockchain and had plans to introduce new features designed to attract developers and node runners to the Solana network.
Google Cloud took to Twitter to share the news, stating that it would be extending its Blockchain Node Engine, a fully managed node hosting service, to support the Solana chain in 2023. This move followed the existing compatibility of the Blockchain Node Engine with the Ethereum blockchain. According to Nalin Mittal, Google Cloud made an offer of $100,000 in Cloud Credits to selected entrepreneurs in the Solana ecosystem as part of its credits program.
With the rising prevalence of crypto mining attacks, Google Cloud’s comprehensive protection measures serve as a significant step towards fortifying the security of cloud environments. This initiative underscores Google’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of its customers’ data and mitigating the potential financial repercussions associated with undetected crypto mining threats.