This article has been created in order to explain what is the Isass.exe fake process and how to remove and stop it from mining cryptocurrencies on your computer.
A new cryptocurrency process using the fake name Isass.exe has been reported to attack victims computers via multiple different methods. The miner’s primary purpose is to run a process in the background of the infected PC that imitates the legitimate lsass.exe, which is the local security authentication process in Windows. However, while the Isass.exe process runs, it does nothing that even comes close to security authentication, since the virus aims to mine for digital money by overloading your CPU and GPU. This may result in the infected computer becoming non-responsive, slow and it may even break down at some point. If you have detected the fale Isass.exe process on your computer, we recommend that you read the following article and learn how to remove it from your computer completely.
Threat Summary
| Name | Isass.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 |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Isass.exe. |
Isass.exe – How Did I Get It
For the Isass.exe to infect a computer and begin mining for cryptocurrencies, the malware may use a variety of methods that may not only cause harm by you having to click on a malicious objects, but the infection may also be automatic. One such example is if you already have been infected by other malware that may download the miner file on your PC and execute it. In addition to this, a PUA (Potentially Unwanted Application) may also be the root cause of infection by Isass.exe cryptocurrency miner, primarily because such programs aim to cause web browser redirects to websites which may also turn out to be malicious.
In addition to this, the Isass.exe may also infect your computer system if you open a malicious e-mail attachment that may pretend to be a legitimate document in a forged e-mail that seems like it’s coming from a recognized institution, like your bank, FedEx, PayPal, Facebook, LinkeIn or other big names.
Since most of the malware from the likes of Isass.exe miner use exploits to infect computers, it is strongly suggestible that you stop the following services which may be exploited to infect you with this virus:
Isass.exe -More Information
Once Isass.exe cryptocurrency miner has infected your computer, the malware may immediately begin to drop it’s payload files on the compromised computer. The payload is usually located in the commonly targeted Windows folders and has multiple different types of files, each of which is responsible for different activities. The files may be located in the following directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Roaming%
- %LocalLow%
- %Temp%
In addition to dropping the files, the Isass.exe cryptocurrency miner malware may also interfere with system files to run it’s miner file as an administrator uninterrupted. The virus may also automatically interfere with various different Windows registry sub-keys to add registry entries to it’s favor. Among those may be the Run and RunOnce sub-keys which have the following locations:
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 the Run and RunOnce sub-keys which are responsible for the Isass.exe to run automatically when you boot Windows, the miner malware may also modify the following sub-keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\
Furthermore, since Isass.exe is a cryptocurrency miner type of virus, it’s main goal is to use the resources of your computer system in order to generate various cryptocurrency tokens. At this point it is not clear what cryptocurrency does Isass.exe mine for, but it is most likely to be Monero or BitCoin, since they are both anonymous as well as famous. The mining process may immediately become evident on your computer, as your fan may run on high speed and your components may rise their operational temperature. Other symptoms also include slow performance of Windows, the system freezing at times plus even BSOD and other system crashes and errors due to insufficient resources. The main danger however is that the miner may damage your CPU or GPU if it stays for a long time since the mining process of generating cryptocurrencies for the hacker uses the components to their limits.
In addition to it’s main activity, Isass.exe may unfortunately have other malicious features in store for your PC. The virus may also act as a Trojan horse and perform the following tricks:
- Self-update itself to stay hidden.
- Migrate it’s processes to other locations on your computer to trick you into believing you have removed it.
- Create copies of itself.
- Steal files from your computer.
- Obtain various different types of passwords and logins saved on your web browser.
- Log your keystrokes.
- Take screenshots.
- Propagate to other computers on your network.
Isass.exe Miner – How to Detect and Remove It
Being a typical miner malware, the removal process of Isass.exe should begin with isolating the virus first. To perform an effective removal, we recommend that you follow the removal instructions down below. They are specifically designed in order to help you eliminate Isass.exe either manually or automatically from your PC. Be advised to only perform a manual removal if you feel confident and have done this before. Otherwise, to detect all malicious objects that are associated with Isass.exe on your computer, experts always advise downloading an advanced anti-malware software and scanning your computer system by using it as the best method for automatic detection, removal and future protection against threats, like Isass.exe miner malware.
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.
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- Guide 1: How to Remove Isass.exe from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Isass.exe from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Isass.exe from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Isass.exe from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Isass.exe from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Isass.exe from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Isass.exe from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Isass.exe from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Isass.exe
Step 2: Uninstall Isass.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:
Follow the instructions above and you will successfully uninstall most programs.
Step 3: Clean any registries, created by Isass.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 Isass.exe 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 Isass.exe from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Isass.exe 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 Isass.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:
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.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Remove Isass.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 Isass.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 Isass.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 Isass.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 Isass.exe will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Isass.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.
I have Isass.exe miner on my P..C. however Spy Hunter did not detect it.
Finding virus miner :
1- Go to Task Manager
Find Iass.exe.
2- Click on Isaas.exe to open a tab
3 On this tab click on service
4- Clicking on ”service” will lead you to ”CWG KEY” (Key Iso) which is a key used for Crypto Currency.