This article has been created with the purpose to explain what tis the Page Marker Firefox add-on and how to stop it from running a miner process which loads more than 50% of your CPU.
A new cryptocurrency miner, that is hidden well within a suspicious web page, which pretends to be a Firefox update has been detected in the wild. The fake update installs a browser extension for Firefox, called Page Marker. It’s primary purpose is to run a JavaScript code which begins to use the CPU of your computer in order to mine for anonymous cryptocurrencies. If you have the Page Marker file extension added on your web browser, we recommend that you read the following article and learn how to remove Page Marker from your PC completely.
Threat Summary
| Name | Page Marker |
| Type | Browser Extension / Cryptocurrency Miner |
| Short Description | Runs a JavaScript code which directly connects your PC to a mining pool and begins loading over 50% of your CPU to mine for cryptocurrencies. |
| Symptoms | Your computer may become sluggish, freeze at times and even stop functioning completely, until yo restart it. |
| Distribution Method | Via browser redirects that display a “Firefox requires a manual update” which displays a pop-up to install the plugin. |
| Detection Tool |
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| User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Page Marker. |
Page Marker Miner – How Did I Get It
The main method of propagation of Page Marker “Virus” is via a fake pop-up which displays a web page, pretending to be the latest Mozilla Firefox update. The web page asks the victim to add Page Marker to your web browser along with the “update”. Here is how the web page looks like:
After the extension is added to your web browser, all that is left for it is to begin causing trouble to your computer. At the moment, the two primary ways, by which your computer could have received a redirect to the fake update page are via:
- Clicking on an online advertisement.
- Downloading an adware program which displayed it as a redirect.
Page Marker – More Information
As soon as Page Marker is installed on your computer system the program aims to run a JavaScript code. This code aims to connect your computer via your web browser to a so-called mining pool, which kind of looks like the image below displays:
Such mining pools are combined virtual power so that more of cryptocurrencies, like Monero or BitCoin are generated on the victim’s computer. As expected, the hackers behind the Page Marker app aim to link as many computers as possible to their cryptocurrency wallet, so that they can have more hashing power. The more hashing power they have, the faster they will mine for the cryptocurrency via this mining pool. What is good for them is that the mining pools have an exact amount which is credited and their profits are guaranteed so they have the incentive to infect more computers this way.
The negative consequences for you and your computer may be many, since the Page Marker app, is granted access to all of the websites you visit. This makes it possible for the app to use cookies to track different information on your PC, such as:
If you see the Page Marker app, generally you will also see that your computer will slow down. This is because of the miner that is running in the background. Such software uses the processing power of your computer In order to generate profits to the cyber-crooks. The risks for your PC and you are many and if this virus remains for longer periods of time on your PC, it may even break down your CPU or other PC components due to overusing them.
How to Remove Page Marker Cryptocurrency Miner Extension
Since Page Marker is a file extension, it’s removal may not be that complicated and should be fully achievable by following the removal instructions down below. If you still see high CPU usage, however experts recommend to avoid manual removal and to eliminate this virus automatically by scanning your computer with an advanced anti-malware software. Such program will make sure that you remove all of the malicious files, related to this malware and protects your system against future programs like this.
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 Page Marker from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Page Marker from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Page Marker from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Page Marker from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Page Marker from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Page Marker from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Page Marker from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove Page Marker from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Page Marker
Step 2: Uninstall Page Marker 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 Page Marker 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 Page Marker 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 Page Marker from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Page Marker 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 Page Marker 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 Page Marker files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Page Marker, 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 Page Marker 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 Page Marker 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 Page Marker 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 Page Marker 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 Page Marker will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate Page Marker 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.
