Protect Your PC: The Complete Guide to Fighting Miner Viruses

What You Need to Know About Crypto Viruses

Cybercriminals actively use malicious software to unauthorizedly mine cryptocurrencies on other people’s computers. Such programs, known as miner-viruses, run in the background, consuming your system’s computing power to generate blockchain tokens without your consent. The consequences of infection are severe: critical performance drops, memory failures, and uncontrollable increases in electricity bills.

Anti-Miner Approach: System Diagnostics

The first thing to do is to analyze current processes using built-in tools. Launch the Task Manager with the Ctrl+Alt+Delete key combination. Carefully examine the list of active processes and pay attention to programs that consume disproportionate amounts of CPU and memory. Often, crypto miners hide under innocent-sounding names, but their resource appetite reveals their purpose.

Simultaneously check startup items. Open Control Panel → Administrative Tools → Services and identify unfamiliar services, especially those that launch at system startup. Malicious programs often add themselves to startup to maintain persistent presence in the system. Disable all suspicious entries.

Hardware Cleaning from Infections

Standard antivirus software is the first line of defense. Run a full system scan with your installed scanner and wait for the process to complete. If threats are detected, follow the program’s recommendations for removal.

However, for deeper disinfection, specialized utilities are required. Anti-miner tools and professional cleaners such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, AdwCleaner, HitmanPro, MinerBlock, and XMRig Removal Tool can detect and eliminate hidden crypto viruses that evade regular security solutions. Download one of these programs, perform a scan, and remove detected threats.

Strengthening Security: Comprehensive Measures

Remove malicious browser extensions related to mining BTC and other digital assets. Additionally, review installed software—get rid of programs that came “bundled” with other software and may contain crypto miners.

Updates are a key element of protection. Check for available patches for your operating system and all installed applications. Vulnerabilities in outdated software are doors through which cybercriminals inject malicious code.

Re-authenticate accounts if you suspect device compromise. Change passwords for all critical services, especially financial platforms and accounts with sensitive data.

Extreme Measure: Reinstall the System from Scratch

If conservative methods do not yield results, the only radical solution is to reinstall the OS. This completely destroys any malicious software and allows you to start working on a clean system.

Prevention Instead of Fight

Remember: preventing infection is always easier than treating it. Use up-to-date antivirus software, download programs only from official sources, and be cautious with suspicious links and attachments. Regular digital hygiene will protect your computer from crypto miners and other threats.