Crypto viruses on your computer: How to recognize and remove them

If your PC has been running slower than usual lately, the fan is whirring at full speed, and electricity bills are rising without explanation — you might have a parasite in your system. We are talking about crypto viruses that secretly use your hardware’s power to enrich cybercriminals. This threat has become especially relevant with the rise in popularity of cryptocurrencies. In this article, we will analyze the signs indicating infection, methods for diagnostics, and how to protect your system from such malware.

Symptoms of Infection: What to Watch For

Before conducting a miner check, you need to understand whether the problem exists. An infected computer exhibits a set of signs:

Performance Drop

The system starts to “lag” even during simple operations. Applications launch with delays, and freezes occur periodically. If your computer used to handle tasks well but now runs slowly without visible reasons — this is the first warning.

Abnormal CPU and GPU Load

In idle mode (when you are not running any programs), the CPU or GPU operates at 70-100%. This is unnatural and indicates background activity.

Heat Dissipation Issues

The fan whines at maximum volume even when applications are closed. The PC case or laptop chassis becomes hot to the touch. This is a consequence of constant load on components.

Sudden Increase in Electricity Consumption

Unexpected growth in electricity bills is an indirect but telling sign.

Suspicious Activity in the System

Unknown processes are found in the task manager that consume significant resources. Their purpose is unclear.

Strange Browser Behavior

Tabs open automatically, unexpected extensions appear, and browser load increases without reason.

Nature of the Threat: What You Need to Know

Mining malware is malicious software installed on the user’s device without consent and then uses computational resources (CPU, GPU) to solve cryptographic tasks. The results of this “work” are sent to attackers, who profit from mining cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Monero, or Ethereum.

Unlike legitimate mining, which is initiated and authorized by the user, such parasites operate covertly. This phenomenon is called “cryptojacking.” Technically, a miner is just software for mining crypto assets, but if it is installed and runs without the owner’s knowledge, it becomes a virus.

Infection and Operation Mechanism

Typically, infection occurs through several channels:

Downloaded Files from Suspicious Sources

Pirated software, cracks, game modifications — common carriers of the threat.

Phishing and Malicious Links

Emails, messages in messengers, links on forums may contain malware.

Vulnerabilities in OS and Applications

Failing to update OS and programs in time allows cybercriminals to exploit code flaws.

Infection via Websites

Visiting compromised internet resources can lead to automatic infection.

After infiltration, the virus begins working in the background, disguising itself as normal system processes. It constantly solves mathematical problems, sending results to crypto-criminal servers, which receive cryptocurrency rewards.

Step-by-Step Diagnostics: How to Check for Miners

First step: Analyze system load

Start simple — open the task manager:

For Windows: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Go to the “Processes” tab. Sort by CPU usage by clicking the column header. Look for processes with high load (30-100%) and strange names like “sysupdate.exe,” “miner64,” and similar.

For Mac: Use “Activity Monitor.” Go to the “CPU” tab. Check which applications occupy significant resources.

If unknown processes consuming power are detected — this warrants further checking.

Second step: Use antivirus software

Reliable antivirus is an effective tool for detecting hidden miners. Recommended options:

• Kaspersky — specializes in cryptojacking, detects it well
• Malwarebytes — focused on hidden threats and malware
• Bitdefender — lightweight, fast, yet functional

Install or update your antivirus, run a full system scan, and check quarantine for threats with names like “Trojan.CoinMiner.” If detected, remove the threat and reboot.

Third step: Check autostart

Many miners set themselves to run automatically on startup.

On Windows: Press Win + R, type “msconfig,” go to the “Startup” tab, and disable all unfamiliar programs.

On Mac: Open “System Preferences” → “Users & Groups” → “Login Items” and remove suspicious entries.

Fourth step: Inspect the browser

Web mining is a popular infection vector. Check:

• Installed extensions and plugins (Chrome: “Settings” → “Extensions,” Firefox: “Add-ons”)
• Remove all unknown or suspicious extensions
• Clear browser cache and cookies
• Install blockers like AdBlock or MinerBlock

If the browser loads the system even when visiting simple sites, it may indicate infection.

Fifth step: Specialized utilities

Advanced users can use:

• Process Explorer (Windows) — detailed analysis of each process
• Resource Monitor — real-time load monitoring
• Wireshark — network connection inspection (miners often send data to remote servers)

Using Process Explorer, you can run each suspicious process through an online check by submitting its hash to VirusTotal.

Additional diagnostic methods

Network activity analysis:

Open the command line (Win + R → cmd), type “netstat -ano,” and look for suspicious connections. Match process IDs (PID) with task manager.

Temperature monitoring:

Use HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to track CPU and GPU temperatures. Abnormally high readings in idle mode are cause for concern.

Removing the Threat: Practical Steps

If a miner is detected, act as follows:

1. Terminate the process in the task manager
2. Identify the file location via process properties
3. Delete the file manually or instruct your antivirus to do so
4. Use CCleaner to remove residual files and registry entries
5. Reboot and rescan the system

In case of deep malware infiltration, a complete OS reinstallation may be necessary.

Prevention: How to Avoid the Problem

Protection is better than cure. Follow these recommendations:

• Install reliable antivirus and keep it updated regularly
• Download software only from trusted sources
• Do not neglect OS and application updates
• Use VPNs to protect when working on public networks
• Disable JavaScript on suspicious websites
• Regularly perform system scans

Summary

Crypto viruses are a serious but preventable threat. Knowing what infection symptoms look like and how to check for miners will help you protect your computer from parasites. Use a combination of methods: monitor system processes, employ antivirus software, analyze your browser, and utilize specialized tools. At the first signs of trouble, do not delay diagnostics. By following our recommendations, you will not only eliminate existing threats but also prevent future ones. Stay safe!