An article created with the purpose to help you understand what is debug.exe miner malware and how to remove it plus prevent it from mining cryptocurrencies on your computer system.
A new mining Trojan horse has been detected by security researchers, which is similar to the Bitcoin miner. The virus aims to mine for anonymous cryptocurrencies, from the likes of Monero and BitCoin and it takes advantage of the computers attacked by it in order to perform the mining process. This results in the victimized computers to overheat and they may even break down as a result of this miner being active for longer periods of time. In addition to this, the Monero and BitCoin cryptocurrency miner may also perform other activities via it’s debug.exe process, like download other viruses, and steal information from your PC and this is one very good reason why it’s removal is advisable. If you want to detect and remove the Debug.exe miner from your PC, it is recommended to focus on removing it, preferably by using the information in this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | debug.exe Virus |
| Type | Miner Trojan Horse (CryptoCurrencies) |
| Short Description | Aims to perform mining procedure for a cryptocurrency at the expense of the victim’s computer. |
| Symptoms | High CPU and GPU usage percentage. |
| 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 debug.exe Virus. |
Debug.exe Miner Malware November 2020 Update
The debug.exe miner is a dangerous virus that has taken this name, there are multiple copies of it that all take names of common services and programs. Many different hacking groups can use this name to name their malware, so the identification of such a file may not necessarily mean that the same virus is contacted.
However, in most cases, the debug.exe virus is associated with cryptocurrency miners which are designed to download and run complex tasks on the affected computers. For every reported successful job, the criminals will be rewarded with digital assets as a reward, they will be directly transferred to their wallets.
However if a more complex threat is used by the criminals, other dangerous system changes can take place. Common tactics include the following:
- Information Retrieval — These local infections are used to hijack files found on the compromised machines. This includes both system information and users data.
- System Changes — Miner infections will typically change boot options and may stop certain security applications from working properly. This can lead to further performance slowdown and unexpected errors.
- Additional Infections — Advanced configurations of the debug.exe miner and any of its related versions may be programmed to install other kinds of threats. Local infections that are usually chosen include Trojan horse agents. They are designed to install a small local program that establishes a secure connection to a hacker-controlled server, allowing the hackers to have control of the machines.
Debug.exe Miner Malware – Spread
The primary method which may be used to propagate the debug.exe malware is believed to be via spammed e-mail messages that may carry suspicious e-mail attachments. Those may be files that usually pretend to be:
- Invoices.
- Receipts.
- Order confirmations.
The files which are spread may also be fake Microsoft Office documents that instead of containing actual data in them, have malicious macros enabled and cause the infection when you open them. In addition to this, the malware may infect your computer via other methods, such as pretending to be a legitimate file that you may be tricked into downloading from suspicious websites. The fake file may be concealed as:
- A software setup.
- Game patch or crack.
- Key generator.
- Software license activator.
Debug.exe Miner Virus – More Information
The debug.exe miner may only pretend to be a legitimate debugger application, however it has nothing to do with any of that. Once activated, the malware may drop it’s main debug.exe process plus other support modules in the following Windows directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
The files which are dropped may resemble legitimate programs, like notepad.exe for example or may contain completely random names as this makes them significantly more difficult to be recognized and detected manually. They can however, be detected if you check your Windows Registry Editor for suspicious registry entries and attempt to perform various different activities that aim to elevate the privileges or get the malicious files to run automatically on Windows boot. This registry entries which are targeted most often are the following:
→ HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI\Background
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\ScreenSaveTimeOut
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
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
In addition to modifying the Windows Registry Entries, the malware may begin to perform other activities on the victim’s computer, such as run the debug.exe file. It’s primary purpose is to connect the victim computer to a mining pool (displayed on the image below). It consists of various computers joining their efforts to mine for an anonymous cryptocurrency from the likes of either BitCoin or Monero.
The mining operation results in your computer beginning to perform slow and even freeze at times. This is because the debug.exe process may use your CPU and GPU in order to mine for the cryptocurrency BitCoin. This process may result in various different types anomalies occurring on your computer and if the malware remains for longer periods of time, your PC may also break down due to overheating some of it’s components.
In addition to these activities, since it’s a Trojan horse, the debug.exe malware may also begin to make various different types of problems on your PC, such as steal your important information, log the keystrokes you type and obtain your passwords as well as ID’s.
Remove Debug.exe CryptoCurrency Miner and Protect Your Compter
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In order to remove this malicious application and it’s sub-files, it is important to follow the removal instructions, located down below. They are specifically created in order to assist you in isolating this threat prior to removing it. For maximum effectiveness, security experts often recommend to follow the automatic removal instructions down below and download an advanced anti-malware software. Such program will scan your PC and rid it of any type of malicious files to completely secure it and protect it against future infections.
Ventsislav Krastev
Ventsislav is a cybersecurity expert at SensorsTechForum since 2015. He has been researching, covering, helping victims with the latest malware infections plus testing and reviewing software and the newest tech developments. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for learning new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management, Network Administration and Computer Administration of System Applications, he found his true calling within the cybersecrurity industry and is a strong believer in the education of every user towards online safety and security.
Follow Me:
- Guide 1: How to Remove debug.exe Virus from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of debug.exe Virus from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove debug.exe Virus from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase debug.exe Virus from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall debug.exe Virus from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove debug.exe Virus from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate debug.exe Virus from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove debug.exe Virus from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove debug.exe Virus
Step 2: Uninstall debug.exe Virus and related software from Windows
Here is a method in few easy steps that should be able to uninstall most programs. No matter if you are using Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista or XP, those steps will get the job done. Dragging the program or its folder to the recycle bin can be a very bad decision. If you do that, bits and pieces of the program are left behind, and that can lead to unstable work of your PC, errors with the file type associations and other unpleasant activities. The proper way to get a program off your computer is to Uninstall it. To do that:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by debug.exe Virus 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 debug.exe Virus 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.
Before starting "Step 4", please boot back into Normal mode, in case you are currently in Safe Mode.
This will enable you to install and use SpyHunter 5 successfully.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Get rid of debug.exe Virus from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall debug.exe Virus and remove related files and objects
1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:
- Go to Finder.
- In the search bar type the name of the app that you want to remove.
- Above the search bar change the two drop down menus to “System Files” and “Are Included” so that you can see all of the files associated with the application you want to remove. Bear in mind that some of the files may not be related to the app so be very careful which files you delete.
- If all of the files are related, hold the ⌘+A buttons to select them and then drive them to “Trash”.
In case you cannot remove debug.exe Virus via Step 1 above:
In case you cannot find the virus files and objects in your Applications or other places we have shown above, you can manually look for them in the Libraries of your Mac. But before doing this, please read the disclaimer below:
You can repeat the same procedure with the following other Library directories:
→ ~/Library/LaunchAgents
/Library/LaunchDaemons
Tip: ~ is there on purpose, because it leads to more LaunchAgents.
Step 2: Scan for and remove debug.exe Virus files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as debug.exe Virus, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. SpyHunter for Mac offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove debug.exe Virus from Google Chrome.
Step 1: Start Google Chrome and open the drop menu
Step 2: Move the cursor over "Tools" and then from the extended menu choose "Extensions"
Step 3: From the opened "Extensions" menu locate the unwanted extension and click on its "Remove" button.
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Google Chrome by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Erase debug.exe Virus from Mozilla Firefox.
Step 1: Start Mozilla Firefox. Open the menu window
Step 2: Select the "Add-ons" icon from the menu.
Step 3: Select the unwanted extension and click "Remove"
Step 4: After the extension is removed, restart Mozilla Firefox by closing it from the red "X" button at the top right corner and start it again.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Uninstall debug.exe Virus from Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Start Edge browser.
Step 2: Open the drop menu by clicking on the icon at the top right corner.
Step 3: From the drop menu select "Extensions".
Step 4: Choose the suspected malicious extension you want to remove and then click on the gear icon.
Step 5: Remove the malicious extension by scrolling down and then clicking on Uninstall.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove debug.exe Virus from Safari.
Step 1: Start the Safari app.
Step 2: After hovering your mouse cursor to the top of the screen, click on the Safari text to open its drop down menu.
Step 3: From the menu, click on "Preferences".
Step 4: After that, select the 'Extensions' Tab.
Step 5: Click once on the extension you want to remove.
Step 6: Click 'Uninstall'.
A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation to uninstall the extension. Select 'Uninstall' again, and the debug.exe Virus will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate debug.exe Virus from Internet Explorer.
Step 1: Start Internet Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the gear icon labeled 'Tools' to open the drop menu and select 'Manage Add-ons'
Step 3: In the 'Manage Add-ons' window.
Step 4: Select the extension you want to remove and then click 'Disable'. A pop-up window will appear to inform you that you are about to disable the selected extension, and some more add-ons might be disabled as well. Leave all the boxes checked, and click 'Disable'.
Step 5: After the unwanted extension has been removed, restart Internet Explorer by closing it from the red 'X' button located at the top right corner and start it again.
