This blog post has been created to explain what is Valhalla Miner cryptocurrency miner and show how to remove it from your computer plus protect your PC against future infections as well.
The Valhalla Miner is a new hacker tool that allows criminals to infect victim computers with dangerous cryptocurrency miners. It features a very advanced feature set and is rated as a critical threat due to its deep infection capabilities. Continue reading our in-depth removal guide to learn more about it and remove found strains.
Threat Summary
| Name | Valhalla Miner |
| Type | CryptoCurrency Miner Malware |
| Short Description | Aims to mine for different cryptocurrencies on the victim’s computer after which may begin to |
| Symptoms | The Valhalla Miner miner may begin to slow down your computer by using over 90% of both your CPU and GPU. This may result in your cooling fans to work at higher speeds. |
| Distribution Method | Via bundled installers, fake setups or via other PUP that has already been installed on your PC. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Valhalla Miner. |
Valhalla Miner Virus – Distribution Methods
The Valhalla Miner samples can be distributed in numerous ways. At the moment none of the usual methods have been detected as particularly high-impacting ones. The computer criminals can use any of them to cause infections.
The hackers can utilize email messages that are made using templates. Usually a social engineering element is used in order to coerce the victims into interacting with the samples. There are several ways that the messages can be made. Some of them can include hyperlinks that are disguised as useful links. In other cases file attachments are directly embedded in the email messages.
Lately the distribution of malware software installers through email messages has risen. The criminals acquire the setup files from the official sources and are modified to include the malware Valhalla miner code. In a similar way malware documents are crafted. They represent hacker-modified files that when opened showcase a notification prompt. It asks the users to enable the built-in macros (scripts), if they are executed the virus is downloaded from a remote server and executed. Usually such instances come under the form of rich text documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
Many hacker attacks are automated through exploit kits. They test the target systems for outdated software and use exploit code against the found vulnerabilities. Such intrusions can only be prevented by always keeping the user software and operating system updated. In the case of “zero-day” exploits where patched and secured systems get hacked the only way to protect the hosts is to employ an advanced anti-spyware solution.
Cryptocurrency miners like Valhalla can also be distributed using other malware as a secondary payload.
Valhalla Miner Malware – Malicious Activity
The Valhalla Miner is currently being advertised as up for sale on several underground hacker markets. The buyers can customize their strains by using an automated builder. This is done by connecting to a hacker-controlled bot over the Telegram messenger service. The hacker operators can be contacted a Jabber profile.
The builder allows the hackers to customize many aspects of the final payload. It is made using the .NET 4.0 framework and as such is compatible with all contemporary versions of Microsoft Windows.
The operators can opt to include a stealth protection feature that can safeguard the virus sample from anti-virus software and related applications. Usually this includes sandboxes, debugging environments and virtual machines. If such are found they can be bypassed or deleted. A proper configuration can allow the virus sample to delete itself if this cannot be done to avoid detection.
Another useful trick that can be enabled is the fake executing error message. This is a pop-up that appears when the main payload is delivered as an executable file. If the victims attempt to open it up they would get an error. Usually this would mean that the files have failed to execute, however in reality it is quite the opposite. The malware engine merely pretends to be faulty however in the mean time it is able to hook up to different processes.
In a similar way it is able to infect both user applications and system services. The stealth protection mechanisms are noteworthy for having the following options available:
- Task Manager Evasion — Every time the task manager is started the mining process is paused. This prevents the users from seeing any resource usage spikes that occur when the malware is actively running.
- Game Mode Option — Another feature that can be implemented in the final samples is the “game mode”. It automatically stops mining when a game is launched.
- Cryptocurrency and Pool Customization — All mineable currencies can be used by the Valhalla Miner. Public or private pools can be hard-bundled into the malware code.
- Quick Removal — At any time the hacker operators can remotely delete the virus samples.
Other malware actions that can follow the Valhalla Miner virus infections include the information gathering phase. It is able to extract all types of sensitive data from the compromised computers. There two main types categories — anonymous metrics and personally-identifiable data. The first one refers to information that is used for statistical purposes by the hackers — hardware, operating system and certain infection conditions. The second type refers to data that can directly expose the identity of the victims: their names, addresses, phone numbers, personal preferences, interests and etc.
The builder itself and its associated victim tracking can show the geolocation, current IP address and detailed operating system information. This information may be used by the criminals in order to connect the victims to a nearby mining pool. The choice of crypto currency is also interactive, the most profitable ones can be switched to using a simple reconfiguration of the malware.
We have followed the actual trades on the underground markets. Several individual hackers have already purchased their licenses and are planning malware attacks. We expect an incoming hacker campaign soon.
Remove Valhalla Miner Virus and Protect Your PC
Q: How Do I Remove Valhalla Miner and How Do I Protect Myself In the Future?
A: In order to remove the Valhalla Miner miner, you should first stop the malicious processes of the malware by entering Windows Task Manager and stopping the malicious task by right-clicking on the Valhalla Miner process and clicking on End Process or End Process tree. This results in the virus stopping to mine. After doing so, you may want to remove the malware preferably by following the automatic or manual removal instructions below, if you have removed malware manually and have the experience. Be advised that security experts strongly recommend to remove the Valhalla Miner miner malware automatically by downloading an advanced anti-malware software, that aims to scan for and erase all malware from your system plus protect it against future infections as well.
Martin Beltov
Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.
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Preparation before removing Valhalla Miner.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for Valhalla Miner with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Valhalla Miner on your computer.
The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Valhalla Miner there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.Step 3: Find virus files created by Valhalla Miner on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.
3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:
N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.
3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.
Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.
Valhalla Miner FAQ
What Does Valhalla Miner Trojan Do?
The Valhalla Miner Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like Valhalla Miner, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can Valhalla Miner Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can Valhalla Miner Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the Valhalla Miner Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Valhalla Miner how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on Valhalla Miner?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the Valhalla Miner threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.