CPU Miner (virus) - updated Jul 2021

What is CPU Miner?

CPU Miner – a malicious program used to generate cryptocurrency

CPU Miner is a malicious program that uses lots of computer’s CPUs to mine digital currency. Crooks created numerous viruses to mine different cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoins, Monero, Ethereoum, etc. The biggest problem is that users are not aware of this activity and experience serious computer-related problems. The 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 were injected into various websites.^[1] Therefore, when users visit such sites, the CPU Miner virus starts stealing their computer’s resources and making virtual money.

Among the most popular and widespread miners are:

• Coinhive Miner
• RubyMiner
• Minergate virus
• Monero Miner
• JSMiner-C
• Win32.CoinMiner

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 miners might use up to 90% of the 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 computers. Therefore, if you do not want your device to get physically damaged, you have to remove the threat immediately.

We highly recommend using FortectIntego for CPU Miner removal. Security software can clean the trojan horse from the device immediately. Additionally, our suggested tool can fix the damage that miners may have done to the system too.

The trojan might use more than 90% of the computer's resources.

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:

1. Check the information about the developer;
2. Download programs from the official developer’s websites;
3. Read user reviews about the program;
4. 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 that allows adding miners 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 an effective infiltration strategy; cybercriminals found a more sophisticated method to mine digital coins. Criminals attack popular websites and 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 the 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 malware 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 scams, fake updates, 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 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. You should also think about the state of your machine and run FortectIntego to repair any occurring damage.