【Watch Sexy Assassins (2012)】

It's hard out there for a publisher. But what if,Watch Sexy Assassins (2012) ya know, the blockchain could fix it?

That appears to be the thinking of digital media brand Salon, which today launched a new way to generate revenue off its readers. No, not some fancy subscription model, but rather by running cryptocurrency-mining malware on visitors' computers.

SEE ALSO: A little-known token may be fueling Bitcoin's rise. Critics say it's a scam.

Starting Tuesday, if you happen to be running a specific type of adblocker when visiting the website you'll be presented with a popup window offering you two options: disable the blocker or let Salon hog a chunk of your computer's processing power to generate digital bucks.

"We've noticed you're using an ad blocker," the popup reads. "We depends on ads to keep our content free for you. Please consider disabling your ad blocker so we can continue to create the content you come here to enjoy."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The reader is then given the option to "suppress ads," which the site explains if selected will allow "Salon to use your unused computing power."

What does this mean, exactly? Well, according to the "learn more" page, that "Salon is instructing your processor to run calculations."

The folks over Cyberscoop helpfully get into a little more detail, noting that Salon is using Coinhive to mine Monero — the preferred cryptocurrency of criminals as it offers more anonymity than Bitcoin.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Salon is not the first site to try this — The Pirate Bay did the same thing in 2017. However, this is the first media company to publicly (and intentionally) take this specific step toward such an alternative revenue model.

And, on the face of it, it seems like a great move. Don't want to see ads, but still want to read Salon? Contribute some computing power to generate digital pennies and we're all good! Sort of.

The problem, according to some critics, is that Salon isn't being straight up about how the process works. Specifically, Salon says its "opt-in program uses the unused portion of your computer’s processing power for as long as you are on the site."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

However, according to David Gerard, that's not exactly how things work. "[Salon] straight-up [lies] about how computers work," tweeted the author of Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain: Bitcoin, Blockchain, Ethereum & Smart Contracts. "There's no pool of unused power lying around — it's costing you actual money. And wearing out your system."

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Indeed, it doescost money to mine cryptocurrency. Just think of all the expensive mining rigs eating up power that you've read so much about. Salon fails to mention this.

And that's a problem.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

While credit must be given to Salon for trying a new funding model — one that could offer real potential to cash-strapped digital media companies — the lack of full transparency represents a failing.

If we're going to live in an age of publications mining cryptocurrency on readers' computers, those same readers must be informed of the full cost. Otherwise, Salon is just running malware.

This story has been updated to include a tweet purporting to show the effect of Salon's cryptocurrency-mining malware on a computer.

---

Featured Video For You

---

People are spending millions on virtual CryptoKitties

---

Topics Bitcoin Cryptocurrency

• Life
• Games
• Entertainment
• Social Good
• Deals
• Digital Culture
• Science
• Tech

• Less-Lethal Weapon
• Beyoncé is promoting a plant
• Top executives from OPPO’s chip unit join autonomous driving company Momenta · TechNode
• Meituan allows users to upload short videos as competition with Douyin heats up · TechNode
• Fighting Words
• Huawei plans a 5G smartphone comeback by the end of 2023 · TechNode
• BYD's Atto 3 becomes first Chinese EV to receive Japan’s governmental grant · TechNode
• Geely and Renault partner to develop gasoline engines and hybrid technology · TechNode
• The Coronation of Macron
• Mazda forecasts “tough” competition to worsen near

• TikTok creators will soon be able to restrict their videos to adults
• CES 2023: LG M3 is a port
• Meme declares it's finally fall so now you 'can really start dressin'
• All the weirdest Lenovo announcements from CES 2023
• Chrissy Teigen unpacks her viral feud with Trump on 'Ellen'
• John Deere won't rest until farmers are the new techies
• 'Quordle' today: See each 'Quordle' answer and hints for January 7
• 'Quordle' today: See each 'Quordle' answer and hints for January 6
• TCL's NXTPAPER Pro 12 tablet is average but so soft
• Razer's Project Carol gaming chair head cushion has speakers and haptics

• Why You Can't Buy Books from the Kindle app on iPhone or iPad in 2018
• AI Agents Explained: The Next Evolution in Artificial Intelligence
• Toyota’s China joint venture is letting go of 1,000
• Baidu’s CEO Robin Li resigns from the board of Ctrip Group · TechNode
• How to Lie: Donald Trump, Jr. fails in the family trade
• Huawei’s Pangu large language model readies for commercial use in energy sector · TechNode
• China FAW, Volkswagen Group, and Audi deepen strategic alliance accelerating PPE
• Biden administration to impose narrow limits on China tech investment by 2024 · TechNode
• Poodles, doodles, and memory-challenged gnomes
• Apple expands sales reach in China with launch of mini

• Whale Vomit Episode 8
• Bilibili offers selective testing of AI Search Assistant to users · TechNode
• Amazon announces $4 billion plan to expand delivery to rural towns
• 20+ best Apple deals live ahead of Prime Day
• News from Nowhere Episode 10
• Toyota China issues door handle recall for bZ3 EVs co
• Huawei plans a 5G smartphone comeback by the end of 2023 · TechNode
• Top executives from OPPO’s chip unit join autonomous driving company Momenta · TechNode
• Complicity, Not Tyranny
• Geely reportedly set to pump $10 billion into Malaysia production hub · TechNode