Remove CPU Miner (Removal Guide) - updated Feb 2018
CPU Miner Removal Guide
What is CPU Miner?
CPU Miner – a Trojan horse which is used for mining cryptocurrency
CPU Miner is a malicious program that uses lots of computer’s CPU to mine digital currency. Crooks created numerous viruses to mine different cryptocurrency, including Bitcoins, Monero, Ethereoum, etc. The biggest problem is that users are not aware of this activity and experience serious computer-related problems.
CPU Miner malware typically spreads as a trojan horse. Therefore, users can be tricked into downloading it themselves. However, they might spread in software bundles and sneak into the system unnoticed.
What is more, during the past years security experts warned about countless cryptojacking cases when malicious cryptocurrency mining codes where injected into various websites.[1] Therefore, when users visit such sites, CPU Miner virus starts stealing their computer’s resources and making virtual money.
Among the most popular and widespread miners are:
Despite the variety of illegal CPU mining programs, they all behave similarly. Once they get into the system, they launch malicious processes that can be seen in the Windows Task Manager, for instance, minergate.exe, Intelmain.exe or others.
Processes that belong to cryptocurrency miner might use up to 90% of computer’s resources. This activity might lead to a damaged graphics card, computer overheating and increased electrical bill. Due to the high CPU usage, a computer becomes sluggish, programs might not respond or open.
Specialists from dieviren.de[2] warn that high CPU usage is dangerous for the computers. Therefore, if you do not want your device to get physically damaged, you have to remove CPU Miner immediately.
We highly recommend using ReimageIntego for CPU Miner removal. Security software can clean trojan horse from the device immediately. Additionally, our suggested tool can fix the damage that miner may have done to the system too.
Cryptocurrency miners use tricky methods to infiltrate devices
Crooks might spread CPU Miner virus as legitimate programs, browser extensions[3] or software updates. Therefore, users can get easily tricked into installing them themselves. For this reason, security experts recommend being careful when downloading free applications.
Before agreeing to install any software, you should:
- Check the information about the developer;
- Download programs from the official developer’s websites;
- Read user reviews about the program;
- Read EULA, Privacy policy or similar documents provided by developers.
However, cryptocurrency miners might also infiltrate the system silently. Creators of such malicious programs usually rely on bundling – a deceptive software marketing method which allows adding miner to the freeware or shareware package. Therefore, when a user does not pay attention to this procedure, she or he lets the miner stepping into the system. However, you can avoid that.
First of all, make sure you select Custom or Advanced installation of the freeware to get more knowledge about optional components. After doing so, you should uncheck all pre-checked check marks that may try to inform you about CpuMiner and other suspicious components.
New cryptojacking methods allow stealing CPU without installing any software
Nevertheless, trojan horses are quite effective infiltration strategy; cyber criminals found a more sophisticated method to mine digital coins. Criminals attack popular websites an inject malicious JavaScript code that allows mining cryptocurrency as soon as a visitor enters a compromised website.
Such cryptojacking attacks hit UK, USA and Australian government websites,[4] adult-themed, entertainment and many other sites. While some CPU Miners stop their activity when a user leaves a compromised website, others continue their job[5] by displaying a pop-under window that hides behind the clock on Windows taskbar.
Therefore, if you noticed that your browser became sluggish and your computer became very slow, you should open the Task Manager and attentively look through running processes. Stop all the suspicious entries that are using lots of CPU. If high CPU usage comes back, you should check the system for malicious software.
Identify and remove CPU Miner from your computer
Infiltration of miner might be hard to notice. However, if you are dealing with these problems, you might need to proceed with CPU Miner removal:
- the general sluggishness of the computer;
- an increased amount of ads, pop-ups and banners appearing on the browser;
- browser redirects to tech support scam, fake update or other questionable websites;
- suspicious processes running in the Task Manager;
- installation of unknown programs or extensions.
To stop these activities and remove CPU Miner from the computer, you have to use a reputable malware removal program. Install new or update your current antivirus and run a full system scan. All major security vendors are capable of detecting and eliminating cryptocurrency miners.
However, our team highly recommends using either ReimageIntego, Malwarebytes or SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner. If you have some difficulties with malware removal, please follow the instructions given below. In some cases, trojans might block installation or access to security software to prevent elimination. However, you can still disable the virus.
Getting rid of CPU Miner. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
If CPU Miner virus blocks security program, follow these steps:
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.
Remove CPU Miner using System Restore
This method can also help to remove miner from the PC automatically:
-
Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
-
Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
-
Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
-
Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
-
Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
-
When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of CPU Miner. After doing that, click Next.
-
Now click Yes to start system restore.
-
Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from CPU Miner and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as ReimageIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting CPU Miner
Access your website securely from any location
When you work on the domain, site, blog, or different project that requires constant management, content creation, or coding, you may need to connect to the server and content management service more often. The best solution for creating a tighter network could be a dedicated/fixed IP address.
If you make your IP address static and set to your device, you can connect to the CMS from any location and do not create any additional issues for the server or network manager that needs to monitor connections and activities. VPN software providers like Private Internet Access can help you with such settings and offer the option to control the online reputation and manage projects easily from any part of the world.
Recover files after data-affecting malware attacks
While much of the data can be accidentally deleted due to various reasons, malware is one of the main culprits that can cause loss of pictures, documents, videos, and other important files. More serious malware infections lead to significant data loss when your documents, system files, and images get encrypted. In particular, ransomware is is a type of malware that focuses on such functions, so your files become useless without an ability to access them.
Even though there is little to no possibility to recover after file-locking threats, some applications have features for data recovery in the system. In some cases, Data Recovery Pro can also help to recover at least some portion of your data after data-locking virus infection or general cyber infection.
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- ^ Lily Hay Newman. Cryptojacking Has Gotten Out of Control. Wired. Science, Security, Technology and Business website.
- ^ Dieviren. Dieviren. German cyber security news.
- ^ Robert Hackett. Popular Google Chrome Extension Caught Mining Cryptocurrency on Thousands of Computers. Fortune. Daily and breaking business news.
- ^ Ellen Tannam. UK and US government websites hit by cryptocurrency-mining malware. Silicon Republic. Technology, science and start-up news.
- ^ Dan Goodin. Websites use your CPU to mine cryptocurrency even when you close your browser. Ars Technica. IT news, reviews, and analysis.