Trojan BtcMine (Virus Removal Guide) - Free Instructions
Trojan BtcMine Removal Guide
What is Trojan BtcMine?
Trojan BtcMine – malware that illegally uses victims' computers to mine crypto
Trojan BtcMine is a coin mining malware that infiltrates machines through unsafe sites, contaminated email attachments, and also can spread as fake VLC player updates. The malicious software is designed to mine digital currency, such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Monero, Ethereum and others. Unfortunately, the profits of mining do not go to the users, but hackers instead. Victims, however, have to deal with increased electricity bills, degrading PC performance and overheating hardware. Additionally, Trojan BtcMine can serve as a backdoor to other serious infections, such as ransomware.
| Summary | |
| Name | Trojan BtcMine |
| Type | Trojan |
| Sub-type | Cprypto-miner |
| Main activities | Mines digital currency for cybercriminals |
| Symptoms | Increased CPU/GPU usage, crashing programs, increased electricity bill, etc. |
| Distribution | Malicious websites, phishing emails, fake updates |
| Elimination | Download and install FortectIntego or Malwarebytes |
Digital currency mining malware is on the rise, as cybercriminals inject malicious payload into thousands of computers which then are converted into a chain that mines crypto into a single wallet. Therefore, the more machines are infected, the more profit is generated. Unfortunately, infected users suffer the most, as their PCs become almost unusable. Thus, victims are inclined to search for Trojan BtcMine removal methods.
Security researchers[1] predict that crypto-miners such as Trojan.BtcMine will dominate over ransomware infections, as it is more profitable for bad actors(we also have seen several ransomware shifting to crypto mining business model in the past, such as XiaoBa ransomware)[2]. Is it better for the user? Not really, because several coin miners also include file-locking function, as well as engage in other malicious acts, like stealing banking credentials.
Additionally, detection of malware might be complicated, as it uses several obfuscation techniques to remain unnoticed by security software. Therefore, Trojan.BtcMine virus appearance on the PC is not a good news for anybody, especially due to the fact that it can evolve in the future.
The trouble with Trojan BtcMine is that it might be difficult to identify – just like many other trojans. Malware's purpose is to run on the machine silently and achieve the goals set by hackers. Thus, by the time victims realize that they are infected, the damage can be already done. Nevertheless, users are most likely to recognize Trojan.BtcMine presence by the following symptoms:
- Increased CPU and GPU[3] usage;
- Hardware overheating;
- System slowdowns and shutdowns;
- Crashing software;
- Stuttering video games or HD media;
- Unknown executable ran in the Task manager.
Nevertheless, all of these symptoms can be confused with wear and tear symptoms, and some users might not understand what is happening to their PCs. That is one of the main reasons to have a trusted security software installed on each of the computers. If you do not posses one, we suggest you download FortectIntego or Malwarebytes and run a full system scan. Not only it can secure your computer form the future infections, but it will also take care of Trojan BtcMine removal.
Beware of fraudulent messages and malicious sites
Unfortunately, not many computer users take cybersecurity seriously. Most of victims never expect to fine malware on their computers, as they have no idea how it gets inside. Therefore, it is essential to know crypto-mining virus distribution methods and do everything to avoid the threat.
First of all, we recommend download and install security software. It is an essential step to provide the best care for your PC possible, merely because anti-virus program can prevent most of the infections from entering the machines entirely. To ensure full protection, you would have to pay for a decent software, however.
Aside from anti-malware, there are several other “don'ts” on the internet, including:
- Don not open attachments included in spam emails – the documents might be malicious, even if they look legitimate;
- Do not click on hyperlinks inside phishing emails – they lead to malware;
- Do not delay software and OS update installation – they contain important vulnerability fixes;
- Do not update your software from third-parties. Use trusted sources instead;
- Avoid questionable websites, such as porn, file-sharing, and similar.
Eliminate Trojan BtcMine from your computer using security tools
While CPU usage can be checked via the Task Manager, such action is impossible for the GPU. Users might have to use special software or check by entering BIOS. Nevertheless, it is crucial not to ignore signs of infection and remove Trojan BtcMine virus before it can cause any further damage to the infected machine.
For full Trojan.BtcMine removal. you should use trusted security software. You can use FortectIntego pr Malwarebytes – these tools guarantee safe elimination. Additionally, the altered Registry entries can be fixed automatically as well. What is more, trojans can inject other malware easily. Thus, only security software will be capable of finding all infections at once. Manual Trojan BtcMine elimination should not be attempted, as it is a complicated procedure which should only be practiced by IT professionals.
Getting rid of Trojan BtcMine. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
In case the virus is tampering with security software, enter Safe Mode with Networking and perform the scan from there:
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 Trojan BtcMine using System Restore
To disable Trojan BtcMine malware, use System Restore:
-
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 Trojan BtcMine. 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 Trojan BtcMine and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting trojans
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online. One of the basic means to add a layer of security – choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features. However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful Private Internet Access VPN – it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable. Family photos, work documents, school projects – these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur: power cuts, Blue Screen of Death errors, hardware failures, crypto-malware attack, or even accidental deletion.
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, Data Recovery Pro can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
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- ^ Email Tara. Cryptominers Replace Ransomware as No. 1 Threat. Info Security. Technology and security insights.
- ^ Gabriel E. Hall. XiaoBa ransomware shifts into becoming a cryptominer. 2-spyware. Cybersecurity news and articles.
- ^ Shobhit Seth. GPU Usage in Cryptocurrency Mining. Investopedia. Source of financial content.