# Introduction
This beginner's guide explains cloud mining—a method for earning cryptocurrency without owning hardware. Cloud mining allows users to rent computing power from remote data centers, eliminating technical barriers and upfront equipment costs. The article compares cloud mining with solo mining, mining pools, and ASIC mining, detailing how the process works through six key steps. It examines essential metrics including hash rate, energy consumption, and mining difficulty, while weighing significant advantages like passive income against critical risks such as scams and lower profitability. Ideal for crypto novices, this comprehensive guide provides tools to evaluate cloud mining opportunities on platforms like Gate, helping readers make informed decisions in the volatile cryptocurrency landscape.