{"id":1277,"date":"2021-01-27T14:27:13","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T14:27:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.gridinsoft.com\/?p=1277"},"modified":"2025-07-09T01:36:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T01:36:37","slug":"about-coin-miner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/about-coin-miner\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Remove Cryptocurrency Mining Malware from Windows 11: Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re seeing cryptocurrency mining malware detected by your antivirus, don&#8217;t panic. Your Windows 11 computer is running slow. The CPU fan won&#8217;t stop spinning. You see processes eating up your system resources.<\/p>\n<p>This guide will help you remove these threats completely. Follow these step-by-step instructions to eliminate the threat. We&#8217;ll start with methods you can try right now.<\/p>\n<p>Cryptocurrency mining malware hijacks your computer&#8217;s power to mine digital currencies. Criminals use your machine to make money. The good news? You can get rid of these threats and fix your computer&#8217;s performance.<\/p>\n<table class=\"table-summary\">\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Detection Name<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Cryptocurrency Mining Malware \/ Cryptojacking<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Threat Type<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Resource Hijacking Malware<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Primary Function<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Mines cryptocurrency using infected computer&#8217;s resources<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Common Sources<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Malicious websites, infected downloads, email attachments, <a href=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/5-dangers-cracked-games\/\">cracked software<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Risk Level<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #ff6b35; font-weight: bold;\">HIGH<\/span> &#8211; Causes system damage, excessive power consumption, and hardware wear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Understanding Cryptocurrency Mining Malware<\/h2>\n<p>Cryptocurrency mining malware is different from other threats. It doesn&#8217;t steal your data or show ads. Instead, it turns your computer into a money machine for criminals.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_31173\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-31173\" style=\"width: 646px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/coinminer-malware-high-cpu.png\" alt=\"Cryptocurrency Mining Malware\" width=\"646\" height=\"593\" class=\"size-full wp-image-31173\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/coinminer-malware-high-cpu.png 646w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/coinminer-malware-high-cpu-300x275.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 646px) 100vw, 646px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-31173\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cryptocurrency Mining Malware<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>These programs usually target Monero (XMR) because it&#8217;s harder to trace than Bitcoin. Common mining malware includes XMRig, CoinMiner, and browser-based scripts. They often come bundled with <a href=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/pua-win32-packunwan\/\">unwanted programs<\/a> or through malicious websites.<\/p>\n<h3>Signs Your System is Infected<\/h3>\n<p>Here&#8217;s how to tell if you have mining malware:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Slow performance<\/strong> &#8211; Apps take forever to load<\/li>\n<li><strong>High CPU usage<\/strong> &#8211; Task Manager shows 80-100% processor use<\/li>\n<li><strong>Overheating<\/strong> &#8211; Your computer gets hot and fans run constantly<\/li>\n<li><strong>System crashes<\/strong> &#8211; Blue screens or sudden shutdowns<\/li>\n<li><strong>Higher electricity bills<\/strong> &#8211; More power consumption<\/li>\n<li><strong>Slow internet<\/strong> &#8211; Network miners use your bandwidth<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"manual-removal\">Manual Removal Steps<\/h2>\n<p>Manual removal takes time and attention. Follow these steps carefully. Save your work first. You&#8217;ll need to restart your computer several times.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode<\/h3>\n<p>Safe Mode stops most malware from running. Here&#8217;s how to get there:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Press <strong>Windows key + R<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Type <strong>msconfig<\/strong> and press Enter<\/li>\n<li>Click the <strong>Boot<\/strong> tab<\/li>\n<li>Check <strong>Safe boot<\/strong> and select <strong>Network<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>OK<\/strong> and restart<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Alternative method: Hold Shift while clicking Restart from the Start menu. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Choose Safe Mode with Networking.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 2: Find Malicious Processes<\/h3>\n<p>Open Task Manager in Safe Mode. Look for processes using lots of CPU. Miners often use fake names but show high CPU usage.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Press <strong>Ctrl + Shift + Esc<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Click the <strong>Processes<\/strong> tab<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>CPU<\/strong> to sort by usage<\/li>\n<li>Look for these suspicious names:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>xmrig.exe<\/strong> or variations (xmr-stak.exe, xmrig-amd.exe)<\/li>\n<li><strong>coinminer.exe<\/strong> or similar names<\/li>\n<li><strong>Random characters<\/strong> (like &#8220;jhds8f9a.exe&#8221;)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Processes with no description<\/strong> using lots of resources<\/li>\n<li><strong>Multiple instances<\/strong> of the same process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Right-click suspicious processes and select &#8220;End task&#8221;. Write down the file locations. You&#8217;ll need them later.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 3: Delete Malicious Files<\/h3>\n<p>After finding malicious processes, delete their files. Check these common locations:<\/p>\n<h4>System Directories:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>C:\\Windows\\System32\\<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>C:\\Windows\\SysWOW64\\<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>C:\\Windows\\Temp\\<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>C:\\ProgramData\\<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>User Directories:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>C:\\Users\\[Your Username]\\AppData\\Local\\<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>C:\\Users\\[Your Username]\\AppData\\Roaming\\<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>C:\\Users\\[Your Username]\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>C:\\Users\\[Your Username]\\Documents\\<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Look for recently created files with suspicious names. Delete the files you found in Step 2. Be careful not to delete legitimate system files. When in doubt, research the file name online first.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 4: Clean Startup Programs<\/h3>\n<p>Mining malware often starts automatically with Windows. Remove them from startup:<\/p>\n<h4>Using Task Manager:<\/h4>\n<ol>\n<li>Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc)<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Startup<\/strong> tab<\/li>\n<li>Look for suspicious entries<\/li>\n<li>Right-click and select <strong>Disable<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Note the file location<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h4>Using System Configuration:<\/h4>\n<ol>\n<li>Press Windows key + R, type <strong>msconfig<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Startup<\/strong> tab<\/li>\n<li>Uncheck suspicious entries<\/li>\n<li>Click <strong>Apply<\/strong> and <strong>OK<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Step 5: Registry Cleanup<\/h3>\n<div class=\"box\">\n<strong>Warning:<\/strong> Editing the registry incorrectly can cause system instability. Always backup the registry before making changes.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<p>Advanced users can clean the Windows Registry manually:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Press Windows key + R, type <strong>regedit<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Go to these locations and look for suspicious entries:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\Run<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\RunOnce<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows\\CurrentVersion\\RunOnce<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Delete registry entries that reference the malicious files you found. Like <a href=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/trojan-win32-wacatac-removal\/\">other malware removal<\/a>, registry cleaning needs careful attention.<\/p>\n<h3>Step 6: Check Scheduled Tasks<\/h3>\n<p>Some mining malware uses Windows Task Scheduler:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Press Windows key + R, type <strong>taskschd.msc<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Expand <strong>Task Scheduler Library<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Look for recently created tasks with suspicious names<\/li>\n<li>Check the <strong>Actions<\/strong> tab to see what programs they run<\/li>\n<li>Delete tasks that reference your malicious files<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"automatic-removal\">Automatic Removal with GridinSoft Anti-Malware<\/h2>\n<p>Manual removal can be complex and time-consuming. For a faster, more reliable solution, GridinSoft Anti-Malware offers automatic detection and removal of cryptocurrency mining malware. Professional anti-malware software can find hidden components and registry changes that you might miss.<\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-main.webp\" alt=\"GridinSoft Anti-Malware main screen\" width=\"886\" height=\"689\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-22665\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-main.webp 886w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-main-300x233.webp 300w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-main-768x597.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/>\n<p>Download and install Anti-Malware by clicking the button below. After the installation, run a Full scan: this will check all the volumes present in the system, including hidden folders and system files. Scanning will take around 15 minutes.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align:center\"><a href=\"\/download\/antimalware\" class=\"btn border-black\" rel=\"nofollow\">Download Anti-Malware<\/a><\/div>\n<p>After the scan, you will see the list of detected malicious and unwanted elements. It is possible to adjust the actions that the antimalware program does to each element: click \"Advanced mode\" and see the options in the drop-down menus. You can also see extended information about each detection - malware type, effects and potential source of infection.<\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-result.webp\" alt=\"Scan results screen\" width=\"886\" height=\"689\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-22666\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-result.webp 886w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-result-300x233.webp 300w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-result-768x597.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/>\n<p>Click \"Clean Now\" to start the removal process. Important: removal process may take several minutes when there are a lot of detections. Do not interrupt this process, and you will get your system as clean as new.<\/p>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-clean.webp\" alt=\"Removal finished\" width=\"886\" height=\"689\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-22667\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-clean.webp 886w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-clean-300x233.webp 300w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/antimalware-clean-768x597.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\" \/>\n<h2 id=\"browser-cleanup\">Browser-Based Mining Cleanup<\/h2>\n<p>Browser-based mining has gotten smarter. Some miners work entirely in your web browser without installing files. These need special cleanup steps.<\/p>\n<h3>How to Spot Browser-Based Miners<\/h3>\n<p>Look for these signs:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Websites that immediately spike your CPU usage<\/li>\n<li>Browser tabs that stay active even when closed<\/li>\n<li>Background processes in browser task managers<\/li>\n<li>Ads that eat up system resources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Remove Malicious Browser Extensions<\/h3>\n<div class=\"su-tabs su-tabs-style-default su-tabs-mobile-stack\" data-active=\"1\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-tabs-nav\"><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Google Chrome<\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Mozilla Firefox<\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Microsoft Edge<\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Opera<\/span><\/div><div class=\"su-tabs-panes\"><div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"Google Chrome\">\n<h4>Google Chrome<\/h4>\n<ol>\n    <li>Launch the Chrome browser.<\/li>\n    <li>Click on the icon \"Configure and Manage Google Chrome\" \u21e2 Additional Tools \u21e2 Extensions.<\/li>\n    <li>Click \"Remove\" next to the extension.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>If you have an extension button on the browser toolbar, right-click it and select Remove from Chrome.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"Mozilla Firefox\">\n<h4>Mozilla Firefox<\/h4>\n<ol>\n    <li>Click the menu button, select <strong>Add-ons<\/strong> and <strong>Themes<\/strong>, and then click Extensions.<\/li>\n    <li>Scroll through the extensions.<\/li>\n    <li>Click on the \u2026 (three dots) icon for the extension you want to delete and select <strong>Delete<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"Microsoft Edge\">\n<h4>Microsoft Edge<\/h4>\n<ol>\n    <li>Launch the Microsoft Edge browser.<\/li>\n    <li>Click the three dots (\u2026) menu in the top right corner.<\/li>\n    <li>Select <strong>Extensions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n    <li>Find the extension you want to remove and click <strong>Remove<\/strong>.<\/li>\n    <li>Click <strong>Remove<\/strong> again to confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Alternatively, you can type <strong>edge:\/\/extensions\/<\/strong> in the address bar to access the extensions page directly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"Opera\">\n<h4>Opera<\/h4>\n<ol>\n    <li>Launch the Opera browser.<\/li>\n    <li>Click the <strong>Opera<\/strong> menu button in the top left corner.<\/li>\n    <li>Select <strong>Extensions<\/strong> \u21e2 <strong>Manage extensions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n    <li>Find the extension you want to remove and click the <strong>X<\/strong> button next to it.<\/li>\n    <li>Click <strong>Remove<\/strong> to confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Alternatively, you can type <strong>opera:\/\/extensions\/<\/strong> in the address bar to access the extensions page directly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<h3>Reset Your Browser<\/h3>\n<p>If you think you have browser-based mining malware, reset your browser completely:<\/p>\n<div class=\"su-tabs su-tabs-style-default su-tabs-mobile-stack\" data-active=\"1\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-tabs-nav\"><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Google Chrome<\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Mozilla Firefox<\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Microsoft Edge<\/span><span class=\"\" data-url=\"\" data-target=\"blank\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Opera<\/span><\/div><div class=\"su-tabs-panes\"><div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"Google Chrome\">\n<h4>Google Chrome<\/h4>\n<ol>\n    <li>Tap on the three verticals \u2026 in the top right corner and Choose Settings. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-settings-1.png\" alt=\"Choose Settings\" width=\"272\" height=\"437\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13034\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-settings-1.png 272w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-settings-1-187x300.png 187w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 272px) 100vw, 272px\" \/><\/li>\n    <li>Choose Reset and Clean up and Restore settings to their original defaults. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-restore-1.png\" alt=\"Choose Reset and Clean\" width=\"368\" height=\"183\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13035\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-restore-1.png 368w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-restore-1-300x149.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 368px) 100vw, 368px\" \/><\/li>\n    <li>Tap Reset settings. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-reset-1-1.png\" alt=\"Fake Virus Alert removal\" width=\"528\" height=\"335\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13036\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-reset-1-1.png 528w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/chrome-reset-1-1-300x190.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"Mozilla Firefox\">\n<h4>Mozilla Firefox<\/h4>\n<ol>\n    <li>In the upper right corner tap the three-line icon and Choose Help. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-help-1.png\" alt=\"Firefox: Choose Help\" width=\"289\" height=\"663\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13037\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-help-1.png 289w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-help-1-131x300.png 131w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px\" \/><\/li>\n    <li>Choose More Troubleshooting Information. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-reset-1.png\" alt=\"Firefox: Choose More Troubleshooting\" width=\"274\" height=\"286\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13038\" title=\"\"><\/li>\n    <li>Choose Refresh Firefox\u2026 then Refresh Firefox. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-refresh-1.png\" alt=\"Firefox: Choose Refresh\" width=\"337\" height=\"320\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13039\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-refresh-1.png 337w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/firefox-refresh-1-300x285.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/li><\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"Microsoft Edge\">\n<h4>Microsoft Edge<\/h4>\n<ol>\n    <li>Tap the three verticals. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-settings-1-1.png\" alt=\"Microsoft Edge: Fake Virus Alert Removal\" width=\"344\" height=\"410\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13042\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-settings-1-1.png 344w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-settings-1-1-252x300.png 252w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 344px) 100vw, 344px\" \/><\/li>\n    <li>Choose Settings. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-settings-2-1.png\" alt=\"Microsoft Edge: Settings\" width=\"334\" height=\"264\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13043\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-settings-2-1.png 334w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-settings-2-1-300x237.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 334px) 100vw, 334px\" \/><\/li>\n    <li>Tap Reset Settings, then Click Restore settings to their default values. <img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-reset-2-1-1.png\" alt=\"Disable Fake Virus Alert in Edge\" width=\"437\" height=\"237\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-13044\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-reset-2-1-1.png 437w, https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/edge-reset-2-1-1-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 437px) 100vw, 437px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"su-tabs-pane su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" data-title=\"Opera\">\n<h4>Opera<\/h4>\n<ol>\n    <li>Launch the Opera browser.<\/li>\n    <li>Click the <strong>Opera<\/strong> menu button in the top left corner and select <strong>Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n    <li>Scroll down to the <strong>Advanced<\/strong> section in the left sidebar and click <strong>Reset and clean up<\/strong>.<\/li>\n    <li>Click <strong>Restore settings to their original defaults<\/strong>.<\/li>\n    <li>Click <strong>Reset settings<\/strong> to confirm.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Alternatively, you can type <strong>opera:\/\/settings\/reset<\/strong> in the address bar to access reset options directly.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p>After resetting, avoid the websites that infected you. Be careful with suspicious ads. Consider using ad-blocking software.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"prevention\">How to Prevent Mining Malware<\/h2>\n<p>Prevention is easier than removal. Follow these steps to protect your Windows 11 system:<\/p>\n<h3>System Security<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Update Windows<\/strong> &#8211; Install security patches quickly<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use antivirus<\/strong> &#8211; Keep real-time protection on<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enable Windows Defender<\/strong> &#8211; Keep Microsoft&#8217;s security features active<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scan regularly<\/strong> &#8211; Run weekly full system scans<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Safe Browsing<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Avoid suspicious websites<\/strong> &#8211; Be careful with sites offering free stuff<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use ad blockers<\/strong> &#8211; Install good ad-blocking extensions<\/li>\n<li><strong>Don&#8217;t click suspicious ads<\/strong> &#8211; Avoid popup advertisements<\/li>\n<li><strong>Verify downloads<\/strong> &#8211; Only download from official sources<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Email and Download Safety<\/h3>\n<p>Many miners come through email or downloads. Be careful with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Email attachments<\/strong> &#8211; Never open attachments from unknown senders<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cracked software<\/strong> &#8211; Pirated software often contains malware<\/li>\n<li><strong>Free software<\/strong> &#8211; Research unfamiliar apps before installing<\/li>\n<li><strong>USB devices<\/strong> &#8211; Scan external devices before using<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Network Security<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Secure WiFi<\/strong> &#8211; Use WPA3 encryption at home<\/li>\n<li><strong>Avoid public WiFi<\/strong> &#8211; Don&#8217;t do sensitive work on public networks<\/li>\n<li><strong>Update router<\/strong> &#8211; Keep firmware updated, change default passwords<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use firewall<\/strong> &#8211; Enable Windows Firewall<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Monitor Your System<\/h3>\n<p>Check your system regularly to catch mining malware early:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Watch CPU usage<\/strong> &#8211; Check Task Manager for unusual activity<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monitor temperature<\/strong> &#8211; Use tools to track hardware temperatures<\/li>\n<li><strong>Check network activity<\/strong> &#8211; Look for unexpected bandwidth usage<\/li>\n<li><strong>Notice power consumption<\/strong> &#8211; Watch for increases in electricity use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<h3>What is cryptocurrency mining malware and why is it dangerous?<\/h3>\n<p>Cryptocurrency mining malware secretly uses your computer to mine digital currencies for criminals. It&#8217;s dangerous because it can damage your hardware through overheating, increase electricity bills, slow your system, and open doors for other malware. Unlike viruses that destroy data, miners focus on using resources, which can destroy hardware components.<\/p>\n<h3>How did mining malware get on my Windows 11 computer?<\/h3>\n<p>Mining malware usually arrives through email attachments, infected downloads (especially cracked software), malicious websites, bad browser extensions, infected USB drives, or bundled with software from untrusted sources. The malware often exploits browser vulnerabilities or tricks users into downloading infected files.<\/p>\n<h3>Can I remove mining malware manually?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, manual removal is possible. This guide shows you how. But manual removal needs technical knowledge and careful attention. You&#8217;ll need to find malicious processes, delete files, clean registry entries, and remove startup programs. It works, but it takes time and might miss advanced threats.<\/p>\n<h3>Is it safe to delete high CPU processes in Task Manager?<\/h3>\n<p>Be very careful when ending processes in Task Manager. Only end processes you can identify as malicious. Some legitimate Windows processes use high CPU during normal operations (like updates or maintenance). Research unfamiliar process names online first. When in doubt, use anti-malware software.<\/p>\n<h3>How can I prevent mining malware?<\/h3>\n<p>Use multiple security layers: keep Windows 11 updated, use good antivirus with real-time protection, avoid untrusted software downloads, be careful with email attachments, use ad-blocking software, avoid suspicious ads, and monitor your system performance regularly. Most importantly, never download cracked software or visit suspicious websites.<\/p>\n<h3>What if manual removal doesn&#8217;t work?<\/h3>\n<p>If manual removal fails, use professional anti-malware software like GridinSoft Anti-Malware. Some mining malware uses advanced techniques like rootkits or distributed infections that are hard to remove manually. Professional tools have special detection engines for these threats. You might need to reinstall Windows in extreme cases.<\/p>\n<h3>Will removing mining malware damage my computer?<\/h3>\n<p>Proper removal shouldn&#8217;t damage your computer or delete personal files. However, some malware might have corrupted system files. Always backup important data before starting removal. If you&#8217;re unsure about any step, use automatic removal tools or ask a computer technician for help.<\/p>\n<h3>How do I know if my computer is completely clean?<\/h3>\n<p>After removal, watch your system for several days. CPU usage should be normal (under 20% when idle), system temperature should drop, fan noise should reduce, and performance should improve. Run multiple scans with different security tools. If you still have high CPU usage, heat, or slow performance, the malware might still be there.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>Cryptocurrency mining malware is a serious threat to Windows 11 systems. It can damage your hardware and kill your computer&#8217;s performance. But with the removal techniques in this guide, you can eliminate these threats and get your computer back to normal.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: prevention beats removal. Follow safe computing practices, keep your system updated, and use active security protection. You can avoid most mining malware this way. If you do get infected, the manual steps here will help you remove it. GridinSoft Anti-Malware offers automatic removal for complex infections.<\/p>\n<p>Stay alert about your system&#8217;s performance. Take action if you notice signs of mining malware. The sooner you act, the less damage it can cause and the easier it is to remove. Regular monitoring and good security practices will keep your Windows 11 computer running smoothly.<\/p>\n<p>For more protection against new threats, check out other <a href=\"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/trojan-malware-facts\/\">malware protection strategies<\/a> and stay informed about cybersecurity developments.<\/p>\n<h3>Quick Summary: Cryptocurrency Mining Malware Removal<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Manual removal<\/strong>: Boot into Safe Mode, identify malicious processes, delete files, clean startup programs, and edit registry<\/li>\n<li><strong>Automatic removal<\/strong>: Use GridinSoft Anti-Malware for comprehensive detection and removal<\/li>\n<li><strong>Browser cleanup<\/strong>: Remove malicious extensions and reset browser settings<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prevention<\/strong>: Keep Windows updated, use antivirus, avoid suspicious downloads and websites<\/li>\n<li><strong>Monitor system<\/strong>: Watch CPU usage, temperature, and network activity for early detection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Samples of Cryptocurrency Miners<\/h2>\n<ul><li>Trojan.Win64.CoinMiner.sa: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/3720ffed8da2ba9d4cabbe64331f939f36e750e7dd3d5b9ff4d937325b35543b'>3720ffed8da2ba9d4cabbe64331f939f36e750e7dd3d5b9ff4d937325b35543b<\/a><\/li><li>Trojan.Win64.CoinMiner.sa: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/521f29dd7236b22daba7ea9537ef6be31057a08eec9526805b4685d7970e1372'>521f29dd7236b22daba7ea9537ef6be31057a08eec9526805b4685d7970e1372<\/a><\/li><li>Trojan.Win64.CoinMiner.ns: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/06b4d1399741e9af55f549e9940319e1ef6ddf42266662142c214d85fd1f72af'>06b4d1399741e9af55f549e9940319e1ef6ddf42266662142c214d85fd1f72af<\/a><\/li><li>Trojan.Win32.CoinMiner.dd!n: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/2ad91b3e4f12530fafb6e50ed501942fac463ccf20cec374e0803f97f1920ebf'>2ad91b3e4f12530fafb6e50ed501942fac463ccf20cec374e0803f97f1920ebf<\/a><\/li><li>Trojan.Win32.CoinMiner.ns: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/8aba70238a5f1a8c1d9e1c8704da07209afcd17f1f68a152eb78844a82ebda02'>8aba70238a5f1a8c1d9e1c8704da07209afcd17f1f68a152eb78844a82ebda02<\/a><\/li><li>Trojan.Win32.CoinMiner.ns: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/e06c4be09eec95c693942fbfaaad0ab69770ad5b20d92f279c69f0c38b604cb1'>e06c4be09eec95c693942fbfaaad0ab69770ad5b20d92f279c69f0c38b604cb1<\/a><\/li><li>Trojan.Win32.CoinMiner.ns: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/0dd4434fe34de41c317a14592a1b6a3dcc4eb7450125cfa6f843caddfb2337fa'>0dd4434fe34de41c317a14592a1b6a3dcc4eb7450125cfa6f843caddfb2337fa<\/a><\/li><li>Trojan.Win32.CoinMiner.dd!n: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/be3cdbe3c1e59d0ee6ffa0eae0fe4b65ee77a3751db080ed05c66b3bc119f508'>be3cdbe3c1e59d0ee6ffa0eae0fe4b65ee77a3751db080ed05c66b3bc119f508<\/a><\/li><li>Risk.Win32.CoinMiner.sd!s5: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/856777e16c153722ebd3f389197d4b6482f8afb2e51345e1ab19760c486c3f78'>856777e16c153722ebd3f389197d4b6482f8afb2e51345e1ab19760c486c3f78<\/a><\/li><li>Trojan.Win64.CoinMiner.sa: <a href='\/online-virus-scanner\/id\/a8ae600d922f800e997019b60fe446a5a4d7b126981791963616bb0e3fa470b5'>a8ae600d922f800e997019b60fe446a5a4d7b126981791963616bb0e3fa470b5<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you&#8217;re seeing cryptocurrency mining malware detected by your antivirus, don&#8217;t panic. Your Windows 11 computer is running slow. The CPU fan won&#8217;t stop spinning. You see processes eating up your system resources. This guide will help you remove these threats completely. Follow these step-by-step instructions to eliminate the threat. We&#8217;ll start with methods you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":31174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_sitemap_exclude":false,"_sitemap_priority":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1549],"tags":[23,41,24],"class_list":{"0":"post-1277","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-troubleshooting","8":"tag-coin-miner","9":"tag-cryptocurrency","10":"tag-trojan"},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/How-to-Find-and-Kill-Hidden-Cryptominer-Malware.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Polina Lisovskaya","author_link":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/author\/polina\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1277","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1277"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31180,"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1277\/revisions\/31180"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gridinsoft.com\/blogs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}