Bitcoin Collector: what it is and how to remove it
Bitcoin Collector is the trojan that runs a cryptocurrency generator and distributes additional malware to already infected devices. This is a program that delivers india2lock ransomware and other malware that makes the computer significantly affected.
Facts checked October 6, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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Bitcoin Collector: summary
| Distribution | Spam email campaigns, malicious pages like etchcrypto.live or ethclick.live, other malware, fake software cracks |
|---|---|
| Name | Bitcoin Collector |
| Type | Trojan/ malware injector |
| Purpose | Install malware on the affected system |
| Symptoms | Runs on the system claiming to generate Bitcoins, affects the speed with additional processes |
| Related files and folders | Folder BotCollector contains BotCollector.exe and other malicious files |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 7 more facts
| Delivers | Baldr trojan |
|---|---|
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| File names | BotCollector.exe |
| First seen | 3 June 2019 |
| Facts checked | 6 October 2026 |
What Bitcoin Collector does on an infected PC
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Bitcoin Collector is the malicious tool that gets advertised as a useful application for generating Bitcoins
Bitcoin Collector is the trojan that runs a cryptocurrency generator and distributes additional malware to already infected devices.
This is a program that delivers india2lock ransomware and other malware that makes the computer significantly affected. This malware injector can also be set to steal information or even spy on its victims. All these features depend on the developers' goal and aim.
The utility claims to generate $15 to $45 worth of Bitcoin every day as it generates this cryptocurrency by running on the PC. It seems to be useful because this activity happens automatically, and there is no need to have additional tool. Once it gets downloaded and installed, the program creates a folder BotCollector that contains executables needed to operate the alleged Bitcoin generator.
Unfortunately, launching those files executes malware installation, instead of creating profit for the person. This Trojan infects machines with malware like Baldr trojan and other data-stealing programs or even ransomware. The malware injector is pushed as a cryptocurrency-generator on various misleading pages like etchcrypto.live or ethclick.live. It is possible that the trojan spreads via more common malware spreading techniques - email spam campaigns and software cracks or fake updates.
Bitcoin Collector virus is the program that gets downloaded from various shady sites as a utility set to generate cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, this is not an application that creates the amount from $15 to $45 Bitcoins every day, as it claims. This is a malicious tool that has one mission - spread malware.
Developers of this Bitcoin Collector malware distributes india2lock ransomware or Baldr trojan, or both viruses at the time. These serious cyber threats are more harmful and malicious than the deceptive utility itself and can make your machine significantly more damaged with additional processes and purposes of demanding ransom and file encryption, for example.
Ransomware that Bitcoin Collector spreads can encrypt files, make more changes on the machine and even demand more money from the victim for the encrypted data. You need to react once this tool gets installed on your computer without the permission or your knowledge because data gets affected or even stolen for questionable purposes.
Since the virus may be set to steal information, Bitcoin Collector can access various details, including your personal data that is stored on the machine or gets entered on various websites while the malware runs on your PC:
You need to remove Bitcoin Collector based on this data tracking issue alone, but the malware itself and other programs installed by the injector creates a risk of getting your data damaged or lost permanently. The information that malware steals can get used in later scammer campaigns or lead to more severe privacy issues and identity theft.
Such infections like Bitcoin Collector can lead to data and financial losses because various information gets stolen or files get encrypted. If the user looks forward to using the utility as a Bitcoin generator, wallet data, or even the cryptocurrency directly can get stolen.
Malicious software tricks users into installing this tool so cybercriminals can steal data, generate revenue for the publisher or directly infect the machine, and demand payments from victims. You shouldn't trust this tool and get a reliable anti-malware program for Bitcoin Collector removal.
Software like antivirus programs or tools like can run a thorough scan on the machine and eliminate files or applications associated with Bitcoin Collector itself or malware installed behind your back. System check significantly affects the performance of the computer because during such process, various issues get indicated and fixed automatically.
Remember that Bitcoin Collector can be detected as different names, depending on the antivirus tool you use, since all the databases are different. Choose the program based on malware detection rate and make sure to download a reliable tool for this important process.
- browsing data,
- visited sites and viewed items;
- IP address;
- location;
- email address;
- banking credentials;
- logins;
- passwords.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on Bitcoin Collector
- Get to remove Bitcoin Collector and clear the system fully from virus damage
How Bitcoin Collector got on your PC
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
Spam email campaigns, other malware, and fake software updates, cracks, and activation tools deliver various malware without users permission or knowledge.
It happens because people are not paying enough attention to websites they visit, programs, and application providers they rely on. Since this is a toll promoted as a cryptocurrency generator, it gets delivered on various websites with such software.
However, this infiltration can be avoided either way. Experts note that you can protect the machine from malware infiltrations by:
- choosing Advanced or Custom installation processes while getting any software or applications;
- relying on official developers, trustworthy providers;
- paying attention to emails you receive and files attached to them;
- scanning the machine thoroughly with anti-malware tools more frequently.
How to check the PC for Bitcoin Collector
- File:
BotCollector.exe
How to remove Bitcoin Collector
A loader's job is to install other malware, so treat the PC as infected with more than one program until the scans are clean.
Step 1: Check where BotCollector.exe runs from and stop it
BotCollector.exeis the part you can see, and its location tells you whether it belongs there. Right-click it on the Processes page of Task Manager and choose Open file location, then right-click the file > Properties > Digital Signatures to see who signed it.An unsigned file, or one in a user folder such as
%AppData%, is the one to remove: end the task, then delete the file.Note the folder name, because the same folder usually holds its other files. This is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Full procedure with screenshots: Close a frozen app (Task Manager, Force Quit) On uGetFix
Step 2: Delete scheduled tasks that bring it back
Open Task Scheduler from the Start menu and click Task Scheduler Library. Select each task you do not recognise and read the Actions tab:
- a task that starts a file in
%AppData%or%Temp% - runs
powershellwith a long encoded line - opens a web address belongs to Bitcoin Collector or a similar program
Right-click such a task and choose Delete, and check the subfolders too. Leave tasks from Microsoft, your PC's maker and programs you use. Task Scheduler is the same in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Task Scheduler Library, the task selected, the Actions tab shows the file it runs. Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
- a task that starts a file in
Step 3: Remove it from startup
Whatever Bitcoin Collector installed usually starts with Windows. Open Task Manager with Ctrl + Shift + Esc, go to Startup apps in Windows 11 or the Startup tab in Windows 10, and disable what you do not know, starting with entries that have an empty Publisher column.
Open file location on the right-click menu shows the file, which helps you decide and tells you what to delete later. Disabling is safe: if something you need stops working, switch it back on.
Full procedure with screenshots: Stop apps from opening at startup On uGetFix
Step 4: Delete the folders left behind
What the uninstaller leaves behind is usually in the user folders. Open File Explorer, switch on View > Show > Hidden items (in Windows 10 View > Hidden items), and go through
%LocalAppData%,%AppData%, %ProgramData% and the two Program Files folders.Sort by Date modified and delete folders that appeared together with the problem and belong to no program you use. Folders with random names that hold
.exe,.dll, .js or .ps1 files are the strongest sign.Full procedure with screenshots: Remove what malware leaves behind in Windows
Step 5: Scan the PC, then run the offline scan
Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options, run a Full scan and remove everything it finds. Then select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now: the PC restarts and scans before Windows loads, which finds files that hide while Windows runs.
Save your work first, because the offline scan takes about 15 minutes. Both scans are built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and a second scanner from another vendor is a useful extra opinion.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 6: Change passwords from another device and sign out other sessions
Assume that the passwords saved in this PC's browsers, and the accounts that were open in them, are known to the attacker. From a phone or a clean computer, change the e-mail password first, then banking, shopping, social and gaming accounts.
Use each service's option to sign out of all other sessions, because stolen cookies keep a session open even after a password change. Turn on two-step verification on each account. Wait with the infected Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC until the scans are clean.
Full procedure with screenshots: Turn on two-step verification / secure a hacked account
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Jun 2019 · not reviewed since
You need to eliminate Bitcoin Collector with all the associated files to end malicious processes once and for all
Since Bitcoin Collector virus is the program that creates various folders, executables or installs other malware, a full system scan is required for the proper malware removal.
When the reliable anti-malware or system improving tool check the machine, it can indicate all the errors, questionable or malicious files and remove them.
Get professional anti-malware tool for Bitcoin Collector removal, and the only thing you need to do is run a scan on the machine during which all the malicious programs get terminated. You can only see system errors or vulnerabilities indicated after such a process. Fixing them improves performance significantly.
Download , , or and remove Bitcoin Collector and all the programs or files related to the malware during a one thorough system scan. Then, you can additionally check all the system settings to make sure nothing is significantly affected or double-check before using the PC normally.
[GI=method-1]For the best Bitcoin Collector removal results, reboot your machine in the safe mode and then scan affected PC with anti-malware program.
[GI=method-2]You can also rely on System Restore feature that allows recovering the computer in a previous state when Bitcoin Collector malware was not on the system
After removal: passwords, accounts and prevention
Accounts come next
Because the PC showed an unfamiliar process called BotCollector.exe in Task Manager, a sign of a program that could read browser data, the clean-up is only half of the work.
The other half happens in your online accounts.
Change passwords from a clean device, beginning with e-mail; sign out of all sessions; check forwarding rules and recovery phone numbers; and turn on two-step verification with an authenticator app or a passkey. Ask your bank to replace cards saved in the browser.
Why the order matters and what to check in each account: secure your accounts after malware.
Protect your privacy - employ a VPN
There are several ways how to make your online time more private - you can access an incognito tab.
However, there is no secret that even in this mode, you are tracked for advertising purposes. There is a way to add an extra layer of protection and create a completely anonymous web browsing practice with the help of VPN. This software reroutes traffic through different servers, thus leaving your IP address and geolocation in disguise.
Besides, it is based on a strict no-log policy, meaning that no data will be recorded, leaked, and available for both first and third parties. The combination of a secure web browser and VPN will let you browse the Internet without a feeling of being spied or targeted by criminals.
No backups? No problem. Use a data recovery tool
If you wonder how data loss can occur, you should not look any further for answers - human errors, malware attacks, hardware failures, power cuts, natural disasters, or even simple negligence.
In some cases, lost files are extremely important, and many straight out panic when such an unfortunate course of events happen. Due to this, you should always ensure that you prepare proper data backups on a regular basis.
If you were caught by surprise and did not have any backups to restore your files from, not everything is lost. is one of the leading file recovery solutions you can find on the market - it is likely to restore even lost emails or data located on an external device.
Questions about Bitcoin Collector
Is BotCollector.exe safe?
It depends on where the file is and who signed it, not on the name. Open Task Manager, go to the Details tab, right-click BotCollector.exe and choose Open file location. A file inside Program Files or System32 with a valid digital signature from a known company is usually part of a legitimate program.
A file in AppData, Temp or ProgramData with no signature, especially one that restarts itself after you end it, is suspicious. If you cannot tie the process to anything you installed, uninstall recent unfamiliar programs and run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan.
Can I end BotCollector.exe in Task Manager?
Ending an unknown process is safe in the sense that Windows will warn you before you close anything critical, and a restart brings back whatever Windows needs. Ending BotCollector.exe will not remove it, though: if a task or startup entry launches it, it returns at the next sign-in.
Use ending the process as a test. If something important stops working, it belonged to a program you use. If nothing changes and it comes back by itself, find and disable its starter, delete the file and scan the PC.
Can I just delete BotCollector.exe?
Deleting BotCollector.exe by hand rarely removes Bitcoin Collector. While the trojan runs, Windows may refuse to delete the file, and if you succeed, a scheduled task, a service or a second copy may bring it back at the next restart.
The file can also be only one part of the infection: loaders and remote access tools often install other programs. Use the Microsoft Defender offline scan, which removes the file together with its startup entries before Windows loads, and then check startup items and scheduled tasks as described in the plan.
Can I keep using the PC while Bitcoin Collector is on it?
Not for anything that matters. As long as the program behind an unfamiliar process called BotCollector.exe in Task Manager runs, it can see what you type and what the browser stores, and it may download more malware. Disconnect the PC from the internet while you remove it, and do your banking, e-mail and password changes from another device.
Once the offline scan finds nothing and the sign does not return after a few restarts, normal use is fine. If the scan keeps finding new items, or you cannot remove the startup entry, a reset of Windows is the safer choice.
Can Bitcoin Collector spread to other devices on my network?
Most trojans aimed at home users stay on the PC they infected, but an attacker with remote access can look at the network, open shared folders and try passwords on other devices. Loaders sometimes deliver worms or ransomware that do spread.
Disconnect the PC while cleaning, run a full scan on other Windows PCs, change the router's admin password and the Wi-Fi password if they were saved on the infected PC, and update the router's firmware. If other PCs show the same detection, treat them as infected too.
What are the signs of a trojan infection?
Most trojans try to leave no visible signs, so look for side effects. Common ones:
- Windows Security turned off or unable to update
- new entries in Startup apps or Task Scheduler
- programs in Installed apps you did not install
- browser settings that changed by themselves
- unusual network activity while the PC is idle
- password-reset or login-alert e-mails you did not trigger
None of these proves an infection on its own. Together with an antivirus alert naming Bitcoin Collector, they are a strong reason to follow the full plan.
Should I reset my PC because of Bitcoin Collector?
Only if the signs point to deeper access. Reset when you see an unfamiliar process called BotCollector.exe in Task Manager again after removal, when Windows Security cannot start or update, when remote access tools you did not install keep appearing, or when you simply cannot trust the PC any more.
Otherwise, the plan in this guide plus an offline scan is enough. If you do reset, choose Remove everything and Cloud download for a fresh copy of Windows, restore only documents and photos, and reinstall programs from their official sites. Change important passwords from the clean system afterwards.
Can a normal remote support program be a backdoor?
Yes. Tools such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer and ScreenConnect are legitimate, but whoever controls the account behind them controls the PC. Scammers install them during fake support calls, and some trojan campaigns install them silently because antivirus programs do not flag a genuine, signed product.
If you find one you did not set up, uninstall it, check Startup apps for related entries and change passwords from another device. If money or accounts were involved, call your bank and report the incident.
Why can't I find Bitcoin Collector in antivirus databases?
Because it is new or because it is listed under a different name. Antivirus companies name threats after the family they belong to, and a program that appears as Bitcoin Collector on your PC may carry a generic or unrelated label in their databases.
Many new samples are first detected only by behaviour, without a family name. What you saw, an unfamiliar process called BotCollector.exe in Task Manager, is enough to act on:
- end the program
- remove its startup entry
- run a Microsoft Defender offline scan
- secure your accounts
A detection name from a scan is worth noting for later.
Will Fortect remove Bitcoin Collector?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For Bitcoin Collector, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Trojan horse (read October 6, 2026)
- CSOonline: What is ransomware? How these attacks work and how to recover from the (read October 6, 2026)
- VirusTotal: Malware detection results (read October 6, 2026)
- Virusai: Virusai (read October 6, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 6, 2026)