Deftesrg.exe Monero CPU Miner - How to Detect + Remove It

by Ventsislav Krastev | January 9, 2018 | 0 Comments CryptoCurrency, malware, Miner, Monero

Threat Summary Deftesrg.exe Miner Malware — Spread Deftesrg.exe Malware — Malicious Activity How to Remove Deftesrg.exe Miner Virus from Your Computer

This article has been created in order to assist in identifying and removing the deftesrg.exe Monero miner malware from your computer to prevent it from mining the cryptocurrency Monero on it.

A new miner malware which uses the process deftesrg.exe has been detected to connect victim computers to a Monero mining pool and begins to utilize their CPU and GPU power in order to mine for the crypto. This results in the infect computer to significantly slow down, freeze and even break down due to overheating if the malware remains for longer periods of time on it. So if you see any signs of presence of the deftesrg.exe Monero miner malware we strongly suggest that you read the following article and learn how to remove this miner from your PC in a safe manner.

Threat Summary

Name	Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner
Type	Miner Trojan Horse
Short Description	Aims to use the system’s resources of the infected computers to mine for Monero and other crypto currencies.
Symptoms	After infection the miner overloads the CPU for extended periods of time which results in poor PC performance and system crashes.
Distribution Method	Networks attacks, exploits, emails, scam sites and malware downloads.
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner.

Deftesrg.exe Miner Malware — Spread

The deftesrg.exe miner malware may be replicated via more than one ways. It is not clear which strategy is most preferred by the cyber-criminals, but it is most likely that spam e-mails that contain deceitful messages and malicious attachments that are the cause of infection. Such e-mails often portray the malicious files of deftesrg.exe miner malware as legitimate documents of various types:

Invoice.
Receipt.
Order confirmation.
Product return.

In addition to this, the deftesrg.exe miner malware is also the type of malware that may come as a malicious web link posted in fake e-mails, that are very clever copies of legitimate companies from the likes of Dropbox, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. just to get you to click on it. Such e-mails look very similar to what an original e-mail from those companies would look like, for example:

Furthermore, besides via e-mail, the malicious files may also pretend to be legitimate types of files from the likes of:

Fake software setups.
Fraudulent key generators or software activators.
Fake game or program patches and cracks.

Deftesrg.exe Malware — Malicious Activity

Once your computer has already been infected by the deftesrg.exe miner malware, it’s malicious files may be dropped on your computer system. They may be copied in the following Windows directories:

%AppData%
%Local%
%Roaming%
%Temp%
%LocalLow%
%Windows%

The main malicious file of the virus, named deftesrg.exe is the miner executable and it’s primary purpose is to silently connect your computer to the following miner pool for the Monero cryptocurrency:

stratum+tcp://xmr-eu1.nanopool.org:14444

After this has been done, the malware may also create a task that runs the deftesrg.exe process and it begins to overload your CPU and GPU by conducting the hashing operations in the mining pool. But instead of rewarding you for the operation, the credits are transferred to the cyber-criminal’s cryptocurrency wallet. The only negative outcome is for your computer’s components, which can result in your PC becoming unstable in terms of performance and it may even break down if the virus remains for a long time active and overusing the CPU and GPU.

In addition to mining for cryoptocurrencies, the deftesrg.exe miner malware may begin to perform other activities on your computer, among which may be the following:

Log your keystrokes.
Steal files.
Take screenshots.
Steal passwords and login ID’s.
Obtain different private information from your web browser.
Update itself.
Download other malware.

How to Remove Deftesrg.exe Miner Virus from Your Computer

In order to fully be rid of this miner malware, it is advisable to firstly isolate it by making it inactive. Then, you can try following either the manual or the automatic removal instructions down below, created to help you cope with the virus based on your malware removal experience. However, it is strongly advisable by researchers to remove this malware by downloading and installing an advanced anti-malware software, whose primary purpose is to automatically detect all objects created by the deftesrg.exe miner malware (if present) and remove those objects plus detect other malware in the process to secure your PC fully.

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.

How to Remove Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

Step 2: Uninstall Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner 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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.

Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Deftesrg.exe Monero 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 Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:

1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.

2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.

3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.

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.

IMPORTANT!
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.

Step 4: Scan for Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

1. Hit the ⇧+⌘+U keys to open Utilities. Another way is to click on “Go” and then click “Utilities”, like the image below shows:

2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:

3. In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

4. Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.

5. In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.

6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference. Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.

7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:

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 Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:

2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:

3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.

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 Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner files from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner, 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Erase Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Uninstall Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner 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 Stop Push Pop-ups

Remove Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner 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 Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner will be removed.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Eliminate Deftesrg.exe Monero Miner 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.