As announced back in June last year, the new version of the Norton antivirus software now makes it possible to mine Ethereum.
Ethereum mining with Norton
The new feature is called Norton Crypto, and it allows all users of the software to mine ETH.
The miner is actually installed automatically, but its execution requires the explicit consent of the user, and adequate hardware.
The company has also announced that it is possible to delete the file responsible for mining, NCrypt.exe, from the software directory, so that the antivirus can be used with the certainty that mining will not be carried out.
Norton Crypto is available for all versions of the Norton 360 suite. The ETH mining process does not start in the background, as previously specified in the FAQ, but instead requires a manual start.
However, if you want to use Norton Crypto, you need a PC with specific minimum hardware and software requirements, such as an NVIDIA or AMD video card with at least 6 GB of memory.
Also required are a processor of at least 1 GHz, 2 GB of RAM plus another 512 MB for the Recovery Tool, and 300 MB of space.
Norton Crypto’s features are supported on Windows 7 SP1 and later, Windows 8 and Windows 10, but not on Windows 10 in S mode or on machines with ARM processors.
Mining proceeds are stored on a Norton remote wallet, and can only be cashed out once a minimum threshold is reached. NortonLifeLock keeps 15% of the proceeds for itself, and also charges a fee for any conversion into fiat currency that can be obtained via Coinbase.
Not convenient mining
Given these characteristics, it does not seem particularly advantageous to use this system to mine ETH, although at least it allows mining on machines not specifically purchased for this activity.
It is worth noting that ETH mining may not go on for much longer, as in the theoretically near future Ethereum will switch to Proof-of-Stake which does not involve mining. When this happens, Norton will be forced to close down this functionality, or to use it for mining other cryptocurrencies.
It is very difficult to imagine mining Bitcoin in this way, but there are other cryptocurrencies, such as Monero (XMR), that can be mined more easily, even with non-specific equipment.
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