How to remove JS/CoinMiner

JS/CoinMiner – a cryptocurrency miner that is waiting for victims on the compromised websites

JS/CoinMiner is Trojan Horse that is being used for illegal mining cryptocurrency.^[1] This dangerous cyber infection can hack websites and soon as a person visits it, malware starts mining digital currency without asking user’s permission.

The first mining scripts used by JS/CoinMiner malware was discovered in September 2017. Miner mostly targets internet users in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. As we have already mentioned, the virus lures on websites. Most of the affected sites were streaming video or offered to play games.

When a person visits such site, JS/CoinMiner virus immediately starts using computer’s CPU to mine Monero, Dashcoin, DarkNetCoin or other cryptocurrencies. In order to do so, creators of miner use CryptoNight Mining technique that allows hiding Coinhive JavaScript Mining code into the affected website.

The biggest problem is that users cannot notice the attack. Miner does not require downloading or installing any plugins or updates. Thus, users might not have any clue that their devices are used for illegal cryptocurrency mining.

However, it’s still possible to suspect that you are on the site that includes JS/CoinMiner because malware might reduce browsing speed, make computer sluggish or unresponsive due to the high usage of CPU. You can see the number of computer resources used in the Windows Task Manager.

When running in such conditions for a long time, your computer might overheat. Thus, it may damage your machine. Technically, JS/CoinMiner removal is impossible. However, if you found yourself on the site that drains your computer’s recourses, leave it and do not come back to it ever again.

However, if you still see your computer acting oddly, check Task Manager. You might find some suspicious processes that are draining your CPU and graphics card power. Thus, you have to stop these processes. Additionally, you have to remove JS/CoinMiner or another cryptocurrency miner from your computer immediately. For that, use FortectIntego.

Protect your self fileless malware attack

JS/CoinMiner starts its malicious activities without needing to install any programs. It might seem like a sophisticated cyber threat that is nearly impossible to avoid. However, you can still protect yourself from the miner.

First of all, you can turn off JavaScript in your browser. This will prevent malicious script from running once you access compromised website. However, this might diminish browsing experience because you be unable to access specific content on web pages.

Secondly, you can install ad-blocking program to your browser which will block malicious ads^[2] that hides illegal mining scripts.

Thirdly, you can obtain a reputable antivirus which offers real-time protection, prevents from accessing malicious sites or blocks malicious codes from running.

Security specialists from virusi.hr^[3] highly recommends to stay away from adult entertainment sites, shady online gaming, illegal video streaming and similar questionable websites. They are most likely to spread malicious programs.

Stop JS/CoinMiner malware from using your computer’s resources

As we have already mentioned, miner starts its malicious tasks soon as a person visits a compromised website. The currently known version of malware does not require installing any malicious components on the computer, so JS/CoinMiner removal from the device typically is not needed.

To stop miner’s activities, you have to close browser’s tab and leave a compromised website. However, if you find unknown processes in the Task Manager draining your computer’s power, you should get a reputable malware removal software (e.g. FortectIntego, MalwarebytesMalwarebytes) and remove JS/CoinMiner with the help of it.

If this malicious program blocks access to security software, please check the instructions below. Our team will help to disable the virus and run malware removal tools.