This article has been created in order to help explain what is spoolsv.exe miner malware and how to remove it from your PC.
A new miner type of malware has been reported by malware researchers to mask itself behind the legitimate process spoolsv.exe. The virus aims to mine for the cryptocurrenices Monero or BitCoin which results in your PC becoming extremely slow since the virus aims to overuse your CPU and GPU. This immediately results in your PC becoming unstable, slow and may even break in the long term. Since this malware may also have Trojan horse capabilities, it is strongly advisable to remove it as fast as possible, preferrably by using the information in this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | spoolsv.exe Malware |
| 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 spoolsv.exe Malware. |
How Did I Get spoolsv.exe Malware to Infect Me
There may be a variety of ways via which this malware may have entered your computer system, the main of which are related to the virus slithering on your PC as a:
- Fake program installer.
- Game patch.
- Crack or key generator for games or software.
- Malicious torrent executable.
- Fake file, sent to you online, uploaded on a malicious URL (for example bit.ly).
- Files that pretend to be documents, such as invoices, receipts or order confirmations.
In addition to this, the virus may also infect your computer ass a result of you having to open files on your computer that pretend to be legitimate documents sent to you via e-mail. The e-mails often aim to come from big companies, for example:
- FedEx.
- PayPal.
- Amazon.
- eBay.
- DHL.
Spoolsv.exe Miner Malware – More Information
While the spoolsv.exe is a legitimate process, this most likely Trojan-influenced virus aims to mask it as legitimate while it is mining for cryptocurrencies. After infection with the spoolsv.exe miner malware, the virus may drop multiple different files on your computer. They may reside in the following Windows directories:
- %AppData%
- %Local%
- %LocalLow%
- %Roaming%
- %Temp%
In addition to this, since it is malware after all, the spoolsv.exe Trojan may also perform other malicious activities besides mining for cryptocurrencies on your PC, such as:
- Steal your passwords and other information.
- Obtain files from your computer.
- Download and install updates of it’s version to remain undetected.
- Download other malware on your computer system.
- Download and install copies of itself if it’s main spoolsv.exe file is removed.
The main activity of this malware is to perform mining operations for cryptocurrencies that are anonymous, such as BitCoin or Monero. The mining operations may result in your CPU and GPU to overheat and your computer may immediately become sluggish and slow and even freeze. This is because the virus has connected it to a mining pool which generates tokens from the cryptocurrency your PC is set to mine by the malware.
How to Remove the spoolsv.exe Miner Malware Permanently
In order to fully delete this miner virus from your PC, it is strongly advisable to isolate the threat first and then delete it. Since the spoolsv.exe malware may also begin to perform other types of activities on your computer, such as create copies of itself to make it so that manual removal may not be effective, it is strongly advisable to go for the automatic approach. Furthermore, for maximum effectiveness, malware researchers recommend using an advanced anti-malware software to help you to fully delete this malware and protect your computer 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.
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Preparation before removing spoolsv.exe Malware.
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 spoolsv.exe Malware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by spoolsv.exe Malware 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 spoolsv.exe Malware 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 spoolsv.exe Malware 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.
spoolsv.exe Malware FAQ
What Does spoolsv.exe Malware Trojan Do?
The spoolsv.exe Malware 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 spoolsv.exe Malware, 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 spoolsv.exe Malware 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 spoolsv.exe Malware 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 spoolsv.exe Malware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this spoolsv.exe Malware 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 spoolsv.exe Malware?
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 spoolsv.exe Malware threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.