How to remove Js Miner

Js Miner is the tool used by cryptojackers who try to get money easily without directly involving victims

Js Miner is a crypto miner that can be used by website owners to monetize on visitor's computer power (CPU and GPU). It uses JavaScript^[1] code to mine Monero whenever users visit the targeted website. Unfortunately, bad actors learned how to misuse coin mining codes and inject them into sites illegally, without letting users know. This can significantly impact anyone infected with a trojan^[2] – slowdowns and crashes of the machine are common, as well as overall performance drops dramatically. The malware has multiple versions and mainly spreads via malicious websites.

Unlike legitimate coin miners, JS:Miner virus affects the machine every time it is booted. As soon as the malicious payload is executed on the targeted computer and files dropped into AppData, Temp, Windows and other folders, the virus performs modification of certain settings, as well starts to schedule tasks with administrative rights without your permission. Without a doubt, the proper virus removal is necessary, as prolonged functioning may destroy your computer hardware.

As soon as malware embeds itself onto the machine, it can emit the following symptoms:

• Highly increased CPU and GPU usage (over 70%);
• Constant freezes or/and crashes;
• Software malfunction;
• Low computer performance, etc.

It is essential to recognize these symptoms and not confuse them with hardware malfunction or computer aging. For that, you should perform a computer scan with MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner, or other reputable anti-malware software. It can instantly determine if your machine is infected.

Money is the biggest motivator for any malicious actor

The primary interest of cybercriminals is to infect as many computers as possible – connecting all the infected machines into one mining pool.^[3] As the number of affected computers increases, so does the generation of the desired cryptocurrency, resulting in more profits to hackers (more tokens are received into the same mining wallet in a shorter timeframe). 

In some cases, the virus can operate on the targeted machine fileless, and use the browser instead. This increases malware's persistence and allows it to update itself automatically, or even create copies of itself. Thus, it can operate even if you delete JS Miner's main executable manually. That is why security software is so significant – it can detect all the components hiding deep within the system files.

Apart from mining digital currency, malware is also capable of stealing personal information (such as credentials), logging keystrokes, harvesting system, network, and software information, and even take screenshots of the desktop. Without a doubt, you should remove JS:Miner as soon as you notice anything suspicious, as hackers may steal your money or even identity, as well as destroy the operation of your machine.

Versions of the known miner

There many variants of the virus, but the most prominent ones are JS:Miner-C and JS/CoinMiner. So far, security experts have detected the following types:

• JS:MINER-A
• JS:MINER-B
• JS:MINER-C
• JS:MINER-D
• JS:MINER-E
• JS:MINER-F
• JS:MINER-G
• JS:MINER-H
• JS:MINER-I
• JS/CoinMiner

The main goal of all these viruses is to secretly mine cryptocurrency on the targeted machine. However, some variations have distinctive features.

JSMiner-C

JSMiner-C is the most popular type that is injected into users' machines. The malware utilizes graphics cards and the central processing unit's power to run the crypto-mining activities. At the time of the operation, the fans on the PC run high, and it can become extremely hot. Unfortunately, it is sometimes impossible to determine the CPU usage as it is not shown in the Task Manager. We suggest users downloading and installing third-party software (Like CPU-Z or Core Temp) which is capable of detailing the workload on each hardware component.

JS/CoinMiner

This version also uses JavaScript to contaminate machines. It is relatively similar to other malware variants, except that it does not display other signs and symptoms, apart from increased CPU and GPU usage. JS/CoinMiner tries to avoid detection for as long as possible and mine crypto silently. Additionally, this variant can enable other viruses to enter computers unnoticed and conceal the infection deep within the system. The cure for this cyber threat is anti-malware tools, just as it is the case with other variants.

Infiltration techniques used by malware creators

Trojan horses are the sneaky type of viruses and have multiple distribution methods. One of the most prominent ones is via contaminated spam email attachments. If you are the one who opens every single email thrown at you – beware, you can infect your computer in just a few clicks. Especially if you open files attached to phishing emails, thinking it is legitimate. Please be careful, as cybercrooks use clever social engineering to trick victims and make them click on the contaminated link or malicious .txt, .pdf, .doc, or similar files. An example of a phishing email:

Claim Your Tax Refund Online

Dear Taxpayer,

We identified an error in the calculation of your tax from the last payment amounting to $319.95. In order for us to return excess payment, you need to create a e-Refund account after which the funds will be credited to your specific bank account.

Please click “Get Started” below to claim your refund:

Get Started

Always question every email, even if it looks legitimate. In most cases, your email provider will mark suspicious emails as spam, so do not ignore these warnings.

Additional ways trojans can get into your machine are:

• via suspicious or hacked websites;
• file-sharing or torrent sites;
• repacked or cracked software or any other executables;
• fraudulent links and malicious ads
• fake updates, etc.

Get rid of Js Miner using powerful security software

Trojan horses are particularly malicious and often use a complicated code (as we already mentioned, some variants can persist on the system even if the main executable is not present). Thus, trying to remove Js Miner virus manually is not a good idea and should only be performed by individuals with sufficient IT skills. 

Therefore, cybersecurity experts^[4] advise users to opt for automatic JS:Miner removal. Merely download MalwarebytesMalwarebytes, SpyHunterCombo Cleaner or other reputable anti-malware software, bring it up to date and run a full system scan. As trojans may disable security programs from functioning normally, you should enter Safe Mode with Networking, as explained below.