While the Bitcoin craze may have cooled down somewhat, cryptocurrency mining within a mining pool remains a lucrative endeavor for many users, particularly when it involves using someone else’s computer, with that person footing the electricity bill. This is precisely what hackers exploit when they infect a system with cryptocurrency mining software, making it one of the prevalent computer threats still active in 2023.
Cryptocurrency mining programs can infiltrate our computers through various means, but the most common entry points are dubious website downloads and different campaigns, such as phishing attacks delivered via email. The challenge with these threats is that they aren’t inherently malicious programs, as they can be downloaded, installed, and configured by users for legitimate cryptocurrency mining. Consequently, traditional antivirus software often fails to detect these threats. Furthermore, when hackers employ obfuscation techniques, these programs can remain nearly invisible on a PC.
However, with a little vigilance, several indicators can help determine whether we’ve fallen victim to this type of malware.
Identifying the Presence of a Bitcoin Miner on Your PC
It’s important to understand that cryptocurrency mining necessitates pushing hardware components, such as the CPU or graphics card, to their limits, resulting in increased heat generation. This, in turn, forces the PC’s cooling systems, like the fans, to operate at full throttle, leading to a noticeable increase in noise levels.
Therefore, if you observe that your computer is generating excessive noise, more than its usual operating level, it could be indicative of a problem. While there can be various reasons for this, one highly likely scenario is that you’ve fallen victim to a hacker who is secretly mining cryptocurrencies using your PC.
Here’s what you can do to investigate further:
- Open Task Manager: Begin by opening the task manager to assess your computer’s status and check for any processes that might be consuming an abnormal amount of resources. Within the “Performance” tab, look for any resource that’s operating at 100%. Cryptocurrency mining programs, including those for Bitcoin and other currencies, often utilize the CPU and GPU for their tasks. Additionally, some mining algorithms leverage SSDs for mining purposes. Thus, pay attention to these three aspects.
- Review Processes: Examine the list of running processes and identify if any process is monopolizing 100% of your PC’s resources. Such a situation could be a telltale sign of an issue.
By carefully monitoring these indicators, you can gauge whether your PC has been compromised by a cryptocurrency miner.
How to Eliminate a Cryptocurrency Mining Program
In cases like this, it’s advisable to opt for a more comprehensive malware removal program since traditional antivirus software often struggles to detect these threats, unless they have become widely recognized. Nonetheless, this doesn’t negate the importance of scanning your computer for viruses; it’s still a necessary step. After conducting a thorough PC analysis, it’s wise to utilize additional programs to ensure your computer is entirely clean.
Here are some recommended programs:
- Malwarebytes: Malwarebytes is one of the most renowned and effective anti-malware software solutions for detecting non-virus threats. Since bitcoin miners fall under the “malware” category, Malwarebytes is an excellent choice to address these issues. If you don’t already have it, you can download it here.
- ADWCleaner: ADWCleaner, primarily designed for removing adware, is also highly effective against general malware. It can likely detect and remove any concealed threats that may linger on your system. It’s worth noting that this program is owned by Malwarebytes as well. ADWCleaner is entirely free, and you can obtain it here.
- Spybot – Search & Destroy: If the previous options do not identify the threat, Spybot – Search & Destroy can come to your aid. It helps detect and eliminate potential threats that might still persist on your PC.
- RogueKiller AntiMalware: An often overlooked yet highly effective tool against unknown malware is RogueKiller AntiMalware.
By using these programs, you can bolster your efforts to eliminate cryptocurrency mining programs and ensure the security of your computer.