Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Note! Your computer might be affected by Downloader.Miner Trojan and other threats.
Threats such as Downloader.Miner Trojan may be persistent on your system. They tend to re-appear if not fully deleted. A malware removal tool like SpyHunter will help you to remove malicious programs, saving you the time and the struggle of tracking down numerous malicious files. SpyHunter’s scanner is free but the paid version is needed to remove the malware threats. Read SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article has been created in order to explain what is the Downloader.Miner Trojan and how to remove this malware completely from your computer.
A new Trojan horse that is also a cryptocurrency miner has been detected by Symantec malware researchers recently. The malware aims to create a process, which aims to mine for anonymous cryptocurrencies, like Monero and BitCoin at the expense of your computer’s resources. As a result of this, not only does the Downloader.Miner Trojan overuse the components of your computer, but the program may also break some of the components in your PC as a result of running actively in it. If you have seen detections of Downloader.Miner Trojan on your PC and want to make sure this threat is fully gone from it, we advise that you read the following article.
Threat Summary
Name
Downloader.Miner Trojan
Type
Trojan Horse/CryptoCurrency Miner
Short Description
Silently infects your computer after which begins to mine for cryptocurrencies via a fake executable process..
Symptoms
A fake version of svchost.exe running actively in your Task Manager.
Distribution Method
Malicious web links, Malicious Files, Malicious E-Mails
Detection Tool
See If Your System Has Been Affected by Downloader.Miner Trojan
The primary methods of infection which can be conducted in association with Downloader.Miner may involve both malicious web links and malicious files. Such can both be included in spammed e-mail messages, whose primary purpose is to fool inexperienced users into opening them. An example of such cunningly designed spam e-mail can be seen below:
Besides e-mail attachments, the spammed e-mails that may carry around the infection file of the Downloader.Miner Trojan may also exist in the form of a malicious link to which the user is redirected via one or more redirects after clicking on it. Such links can exist on suspicious websites and can even be sent to you via e-mail, like the fake PayPal e-mail underneath:
In addition to this, the Downloader.Miner Trojan may also be uploaded on suspicious software providing websites, pretending to be:
Keygen.
Game patch or crack.
Software license activator.
Fake setup of a driver or other type of program.
Downloader.Miner – More Information and Analysis
Downloader.Miner is another one of those silent online threats that may exist in different forms and whose primary purpose is to mine silently for cryptocurrencies and generate profits to cyber-criminals at the user’s expence. This procedure may result in multiple negative consequences on your computer, including that your CPU and GPU (video card and processor) may break down completely.
Once the Downloader.Miner has been executed on your computer, the program creates the following files on your Windows directory:
%Microsoft%\svchost.exe
%Microsoft%\svchost.exe.exe
In addition to this, the program may also created the following Windows Registry sub-keys and add registry value strings with data on them:
The Trojan horse may also use it’s Trojanized svchost.exe process in order to connect to a randomly named domain and download the following .wsf file on the infected computer system:
→ m.wsf
The Downloader.Miner also deletes the following file in the %Temp% folder:
→ %Temp%\F.tmp.exe
In addition to this, the Downloader.Miner also runs a crypto miner program which may have started out as a legitimate mining app, connecting you to a pool, but it’s code may have been altered so that it serves it’s malicious purposes. The mining procedure may be performed by the fake svchost.exe process which may be using over 90% of your CPU and may also overuse your GPU in order to mine for cryptocurrencies. These types of cryptocurrencies are anonymous ones, like Monero and Bitcoin, which are primarily used for malicious purposes nowadays. The side effects of this mining operations are the cyber-criminals behind this virus to become rich with the increasing number of PC’s they infect while your computer begins to stutter, freeze and it may even break down due to the components` overusage.
Remove Downloader.Miner Effectively from Windows
In order to fully get rid of this cryptocurrency miner Trojan, we advise you to follow the removal instructions underneath this article. They are made so that they help you to isolate and then delete the Downloader.Miner Trojan either manually or automatically. If manual removal represents difficulty for you, experts always advise to perform the removal automatically by running an anti-malware scan via specific software on your PC. Such anti-malware program aims to make sure that the Downloader.Miner is fully gone and your Windows OS stays safe against any future malware infections.
Note! Your computer system may be affected by Downloader.Miner Trojan and other threats. Scan Your PC with SpyHunter SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to help users with in-depth system security analysis, detection and removal of threats such as Downloader.Miner Trojan. 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.
To remove Downloader.Miner Trojan follow these steps:
1. Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Downloader.Miner Trojan files and objects
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
Boot Your PC Into Safe Mode
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7. 2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
For Windows XP, Vista and 7 systems:
1. Remove all CDs and DVDs, and then Restart your PC from the “Start” menu. 2. Select one of the two options provided below:
– For PCs with a single operating system: Press “F8” repeatedly after the first boot screen shows up during the restart of your computer. In case the Windows logo appears on the screen, you have to repeat the same task again.
– For PCs with multiple operating systems: Тhe arrow keys will help you select the operating system you prefer to start in Safe Mode. Press “F8” just as described for a single operating system.
3. As the “Advanced Boot Options” screen appears, select the Safe Mode option you want using the arrow keys. As you make your selection, press “Enter“.
4. Log on to your computer using your administrator account
While your computer is in Safe Mode, the words “Safe Mode” will appear in all four corners of your screen.
Step 1: Open up the Start Menu.
Step 2: Click on the Power button (for Windows 8 it is the little arrow next to the “Shut Down” button) and whilst holding down “Shift” click on Restart.
Step 3: After reboot, a blue menu with options will appear. From them you should choose Troubleshoot.
Step 4: You will see the Troubleshoot menu. From this menu choose Advanced Options.
Step 5: After the Advanced Options menu appears, click on Startup Settings.
Step 6: From the Startup Settings menu, click on Restart.
Step 7: A menu will appear upon reboot. You can choose any of the three Safe Mode options by pressing its corresponding number and the machine will restart.
Some malicious scripts may modify the registry entries on your computer to change different settings. This is why cleaning your Windows Registry Database is recommended. Since the tutorial on how to do this is a bit long and tampering with registries could damage your computer if not done properly you should refer and follow our instructive article about fixing registry entries, especially if you are unexperienced in that area.
2. Find files created by Downloader.Miner Trojan on your PC
Find files created by Downloader.Miner Trojan
1. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10. 2. For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
Step 1:
On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
Step 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.
Step 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 navination box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn’t found it yet.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS’s the conventional approach should be the effective one:
Step 1:
Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Use SpyHunter to scan for malware and unwanted programs
3. Scan for malware and unwanted programs with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Scan your PC and Remove Downloader.Miner Trojan with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool and back up your data
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Downloader.Miner Trojan and remove them.2. Scan with SpyHunter, Detect and Remove Downloader.Miner Trojan. Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
Step 1: Click on the “Download” button to proceed to SpyHunter’s download page.
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.
Step 2: Guide yourself by the download instructions provided for each browser.
Step 3: After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
Step 1: After the update process has finished, click on the ‘Malware/PC Scan’ tab. A new window will appear. Click on ‘Start Scan’.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.
Back up your data to secure it against attacks in the future
IMPORTANT! Before reading the Windows backup instructions, we highly recommend to back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats. We recommend you to read more about it and to download SOS Online Backup.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
Ventsislav has been covering the latest malware, software and newest tech developments at SensorsTechForum for 3 years now. He started out as a network administrator. Having graduated Marketing as well, Ventsislav also has passion for discovery of new shifts and innovations in cybersecurity that become game changers. After studying Value Chain Management and then Network Administration, he found his passion within cybersecrurity and is a strong believer in basic education of every user towards online safety.
This article has been created in order to explain what is the Downloader.Miner Trojan and how to remove this malware completely from your computer.
1. For Windows XP, Vista and 7.
2. For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
Fix registry entries created by malware and PUPs on your PC.
1. Install SpyHunter to scan for Downloader.Miner Trojan and remove them.
Back up your data to secure it from malware in the future.
