Is someone using your toaster to mine bitcoin? It may be possible in today's Internet of Things

If your toast comes out better done than you're used to, there may be more to the story. As more devices are finding themselves connected to the internet- the 'Internet of Things' as it has become known- they become susceptible to invasive mining.

Such was discussed by Mikko Hypponen, chief research officer at F-Secure, at the Slush startup conference in Helsinki last week:

"Cryptocurrencies Cryptocurrencies By using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are nearly counterfeit-proof digital currencies that are built on blockchain technology. Comprised of decentralized networks, blockchain technology is not overseen by a central authority.Therefore, cryptocurrencies function in a decentralized nature which theoretically makes them immune to government interference. The term, cryptocurrency derives from the origin of the encryption techniques that are employed to secure the netw By using cryptography, virtual currencies, known as cryptocurrencies, are nearly counterfeit-proof digital currencies that are built on blockchain technology. Comprised of decentralized networks, blockchain technology is not overseen by a central authority.Therefore, cryptocurrencies function in a decentralized nature which theoretically makes them immune to government interference. The term, cryptocurrency derives from the origin of the encryption techniques that are employed to secure the netw Read this Term are interesting as they open up new opportunities [for hackers], like mining...Attacks don't target the user but the computer itself. Internet of Things devices can be hacked to mine cryptocurrencies and make money."

Anything from refrigerators to toasters can be a legitimate target, so long as it as some computational processing capabilities and connectivity to the web. Such connectivity is intended to optimize a device's performance through, for example, remote monitoring and control.

But those vulnerable to malware may be eyed as profit center by invasive miners, which have targeted a variety of hardware from smartphones to CCTV security cameras.

To be sure, the hashing power on such platforms is negligible. Thousands or even millions would have to be penetrated to see any tangible return. But their performance, however, may be compromised significantly. Some coins are also easier to mine than Bitcoin Bitcoin While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that While some may still be wondering what is Bitcoin, who created Bitcoin, or how does Bitcoin work, one thing is certain: Bitcoin has changed the world.No one can remain indifferent to this revolutionary, decentralized, digital asset nor to its blockchain technology.In fact, we’ve gone a long way ever since a Florida resident Laszlo Hanyecz made BTC’s first official commercial transaction with a real company by trading 10,000 Bitcoins for 2 pizzas at his local Papa John’s.One could now argue that Read this Term (although not worth as much). Researchers at SecureWorks previously uncovered that 500 million dogecoins were mined off of Taiwanese storage hardware.

Hypponen added that while the internet has brought us much good, "sometimes it does feel like we've built a monster."