hostXmrig.exe / NsCpuCNMiner.exe Malware

by Ventsislav Krastev | January 2, 2018 | 0 Comments CryptoCurrency, Miner

This article has been created in order to help explain what is the hostXmrig.exe CPU miner malware and how to remove it and prevent it from mining for cryptocurrencies on your computer system.

New cryptocurrency miner malware which uses the executable hostXmrig.exe to mine for cryptocurrencies has been identified by security experts. The cryptocurrency miner aims to use the resources of your computer, primarily the CPU and GPU power in order to calculate the so called hashes, which add up to generate cryptocurrency tokens. The main two cryptocurrencies which hostXmrig.exe could mine for are known as BitCoin and Monero at the time of writing this, since they are anonymous. If you want to remove the hostXmrig.exe malware from your computer in the event that you believe your PC has been infected, reccomendations are to read this article.

Threat Summary

Name	hostXmrig.exe
Type	CryptoCurrency Miner
Short Description	Aims to infect your computer and use it’s CPU, GPU and other resources to turn it into a miner for cryptocurrencies.
Symptoms	Hightened CPU and GPU usage and overheating. The victim PC may break if this virus mines for longer periods of time.
Distribution Method	Spam Emails, Email Attachments, Executable files
Detection Tool	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
User Experience	Join Our Forum to Discuss hostXmrig.exe.

hostXmrig.exe –
Infection

Being a typical miner malware, that is associated with a Trojan Horse infection, the process of infecting computers used by hostXmrig.exe is performed via series of exploits for Windows that may be used by malware authors to spread the virus itself. Those exploits are usually contained in an infection file which is spread via a multitude of ways, including via:

E-mail.
Malicious websites.
Spammed web links on social media.
Facebook Messenger and other type of online chat software.

The most often used method among all is the conventional infection via e-mail spam messages. Such e-mails often pretend to come from a legitimate vendor, like PayPal, DHL, Fed Ex, etc, and they often contain messages within them that aim to get the vicitm to open the malicious attachment. The attachment is often in a .zip or .rar file and may pose as:

Order confirmation.
Receipt for purchase that the victim hasn’t made.
Banking statement.
Other types of important documents.

In the event that you want to prevent future infections, you should always update your Windows plus disable some services which are known to have exploits that are used to infect your computer.

Disable the WMI service.
Disable SMB and Download the latest security patches from Microsoft.

hostXmrig.exe Miner – More Information

After your computer has become infected by the hostXmrig.exe miner, it may begin to experience interruptions, slow-downs, system freezes and other types of anomalous occurrences. These are primarily due to the fact that two files are dropped on your computer that are automatically ran in the background of your PC:

%AppData%\hostXmrig.exe
%AppData%\NsCpuCNMiner.exe

After the payload of the hostXmrig.exe miner malware is dropped on your computer, the virus may begin to perform various of unwanted activities, beginning with connecting your computer to a mining pool. This results in you being connected to the account of the cyber-criminals who are behind the infection. This may immediately result in your computer beggining to experience performance issues, due to insufficient CPU and GPU power, because most of it is taken by the miners. While the hostXmrig.exe may mine for cryptocurrencies that are minable via a GPU card, the NsCpuCNMiner may use the CPU to try and mine for other cryptocurrencies from the likes of BitCoin, that are only mineable, using CPU power.

In addition to performing it’s mining operations, which may not only slow down your PC, but may also break it’s components, if the virus stays on it for longer periods of time, the malware may also perform other malicious activities. Since it’s partially a Trojan horse, the hostXmrig.exe miner may also:

Log your keystrokes.
Obtain vital financial information on your computer.
Steal passwords, login credentials.
Steal your files.
Self-update and migrate to other processes, only tricking you that you have deleted it to remain persistent.

How to Detect and Remove hostXmrig.exe Miner

In order to fully detect and get rid of this malicious software, recommendations are that you focus on following the removal instructions which we have created down below. They are specifically divided in manual and automatic removal manuals so that if you lack the experience in removing hostXmrig.exe manually and it reappears, you may solve the issue automatically. In addition to this, malware researchers strongly recommend that you focus on removing hostXmrig.exe miner automatically to fully delete this virus with maximum effectiveness plus protect your PC against future infections as well.

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 hostXmrig.exe from Windows.

Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove hostXmrig.exe

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 hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe 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

Get rid of hostXmrig.exe from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe:

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 hostXmrig.exe. 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 hostXmrig.exe. 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 hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe. 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 malware from your Mac

When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts, programs and malware, the recommended way of eliminating the threat is by using an anti-malware program. Combo Cleaner offers advanced security features along with other modules that will improve your Mac’s security and protect it in the future.

Download

Combo Cleaner

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer

Remove hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe 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 hostXmrig.exe 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

Eliminate hostXmrig.exe 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.

hostXmrig.exe / NsCpuCNMiner.exe Malware – How to Remove It

Threat Summary

hostXmrig.exe –
Infection

hostXmrig.exe Miner – More Information