An article that has been created with the purpose to help you to remove the rthdcpl.exe process which is being exploited by a cryptocurrency miner. Cryptocurrency miner viruses are known to be after one thing only – taking advantage of users’ CPU and GPU resources to mine for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Monero, among others. As a result of these unwanted activities, the rthdcpl.exe miner malware may slow down your computer. Since most cryptocurrency miners are being distributed across users’ computers in the form of a Trojan infection, other malicious activities may be taking place in the background of an infected as well.
If you have witnessed any unwanted behavior on your system stemming from the rthdcpl.exe process, you should not only consider removing it as soon as possible but also check your system for additional malware.
Threat Summary
| Name | Rthdcpl.exe |
| Type | Cryptocurrency Miner Malware |
| Short Description | Aims to use your CPU’s or GPU’s resources to mine for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. |
| Symptoms | After infection the miner overloads the CPU and GPU which results in poor PC performance and system crashes, among other outcomes. |
| Distribution Method | Via malicious e-mail spam attachments, infected websites or fake installation setups. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Rthdcpl.exe. |
Rthdcpl.exe Miner Malware – How Is It Distributed
First of all, it should be noted that the rthdcpl.exe process is a legitimate one, related to Realtek HD Audio Sound Effect Manager. However, such processes are often exploited by malware. With the rise of cryptocurrency miners many legitimately looking process may turn out to be malicious, exploiting your computer’s resources for the purpose of cryptocurrency mining.
If you have noticed high CPU and GPU usage coming from the rthdcpl.exe process, note that your system may have been infected. The most likely distribution method for cryptocurrency miners is via spam delivered to your email inbox. These spam messages usually contain malware-carrying email attachments that prompt you to enable macros. Hence, you should be extremely careful with emails that are luring you into downloading attachments. Watch out for the following extensions:
.docm, .vbs, .wsf, .js, .exe
Also keep in mind that the rthdcpl.exe cryptocurrency miner may have infiltrated your system via compromised web pages deployed for malvertising campaigns.
In a nutshell, this cryptocurrency miner may have entered your computer via:
- Malicious web links posted as spam messages.
- Web links that exist in various forms, e.g. buttons or banners on a website as a result of having a potentially unwanted program running on your computer.
Malicious e-mail attachments containing a tricky message pushing you to open it.
Rthdcpl.exe – Malicious Activities
Once your computer has been infected with the rthdcpl.exe miner, the malware will drop its payload which may consist of multiple files residing in the following Windows directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
In addition, the rthdcpl.exe miner malware may also add several different registry entries in the following Windows Registry sub-keys:
HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\
HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\INTERNET ACCOUNT MANAGER\ACCOUNTS\
HKCU\IDENTITIES\
HKCU\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\OFFICE\OUTLOOK\OMI ACCOUNT MANAGER\ACCOUNTS
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
Once the alterations above are done, the rthdcpl.exe miner may connect your computer to a mining pool.
Rthdcpl.exe Miner Malware – How to Remove It from Your System
Before proceeding, keep in mind that the rthdcpl.exe miner malware is most likely a persistent threat that may remain concealed on your system. Thus, it is highly recommended to rely on an anti-malware tool to detect and remove the threat and all associated files completely, with no leftovers. In addition, such a program will continue to guard your system against the various malware threats lurking online.
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Preparation before removing Rthdcpl.exe.
Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.
- Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
- Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
- Be patient as this could take a while.
- Scan for Malware
- Fix Registries
- Remove Virus Files
Step 1: Scan for Rthdcpl.exe with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Rthdcpl.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 Rthdcpl.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.Step 3: Find virus files created by Rthdcpl.exe on your PC.
1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.
For Newer Windows Operating Systems
1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.
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.
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 navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.
2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.
For Older Windows Operating Systems
In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:
1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.
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.
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.
Rthdcpl.exe FAQ
What Does Rthdcpl.exe Trojan Do?
The Rthdcpl.exe Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system. It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.
Can Trojans Steal Passwords?
Yes, Trojans, like Rthdcpl.exe, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.
Can Rthdcpl.exe Trojan Hide Itself?
Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.
Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?
Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind that there are more sophisticated Trojans that leave backdoors and reinfect even after a factory reset.
Can Rthdcpl.exe Trojan Infect WiFi?
Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.
Can Trojans Be Deleted?
Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.
Can Trojans Steal Files?
Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.
Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?
Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.
Can Trojans Infect USB?
Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.
About the Rthdcpl.exe Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Rthdcpl.exe how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.
How did we conduct the research on Rthdcpl.exe?
Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)
Furthermore, the research behind the Rthdcpl.exe threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.