This article has been created in order to help you by showing you how to remove the Svchost.exe.exe malware process from your computer and prevent it from mining Monero (XMR), using your GPU.
A new miner malware, using the SearchGo name and the fake process Svchost.exe.exe has been reported to infect victims computers and install a Trojan horse which begins to mine for the cryptocurrency Monero by automatically launching a fake svchost.exe file. The file, named svchost.exe.exe begins to use GPU and CPU power of the infected computer and may increase the processor utilization to up to 95%. In the event that you see the svchost.exe.exe process on your computer, reccomendations are to check for the SearchGo or Svchost.exe.exe miner Trojan and remove it, using the information in the article below.
Threat Summary
| Name | Svchost.exe.exe Malware |
| Type | Crypto-Miner Trojan |
| Short Description | Infects your computer, drops it’s payload, after which begins to mine for the cryptocurrency Monero (XMR). |
| Symptoms | Elevated GPU and CPU temperature and utilization. Fake process, named svchost.exe.exe running in the background as a system process in Task Manager. |
| Distribution Method | Via bundled installers, fake setups or via other PUP that has already been installed on your PC. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Svchost.exe.exe Malware. |
Svchost.exe.exe (SearchGo) Miner Trojan – Infection Methods
In order to infect the computers of victims, the SearchGo miner malware may use such techniques that expose the infection file to as many potential victims as possible. The most widely used such technique is if the malware is spread via e-mail spam messages, containing the infection file as an attachment, for example:
The infection file may be concealed in those e-mails to resemble an Invoice, a receipt or any other seemingly legitimate document. But this is not the only method by which you can become infected with the svchost.exe.exe miner malware. The virus may also spread passively via files uploaded online, like:
- Fake setups of programs that are available for download in suspicious websites.
- Fraudulent key generators, software license activators or other game cracks and patches.
Svchost.exe.exe Miner – Malicious Activity
In addition to being a Monero miner, the Svchost.exe.exe malware is also a Trojan Horse, meaning that it has all the capabilities of Trojan as well. Once infecting your computer the infection file uses obfuscation in order to conceal it’s malicious files from any protection software. The files dropped, contain the fake svchost file which aims to imitate the original Windows process and it is being dropped in the following location:
→ C:\Windows\Microsoft\svchost.exe.exe
Once the infection commences, the Svchost.exe miner may begin the infection by initiating a process call by incjecting script in the legitimate Service Host to launch the fake file as an administrator. From there, the fake file is launched and connects the victim to a mining pool of other infected computers. All of the infected computers lead to the account and wallet of the hacker behind the Svchost.exe.exe miner. If the attacker has infected several computers, here is how a logical mining pool linked to his wallet may look like:
The only realistic sign of seeing this malware infecting your computer is if you see the process on your Windows Task Manager running with a 95% or more CPU utilization under the User Name SYSTEM.
Besides being a miner malware, the Svchost.exe.exe miner is also a Trojan horse, meaning that it can also perform all of the spyware activities done by a Trojan, such as:
- Log the keystrokes you type.
- Take screenshots on your computer.
- Collect usernames and passwords.
- Steal important files from your computer.
- Update itself.
- Install other malware on your PC.
Remove SearchGo (Svchost.exe.exe) Miner from Windows
In order to fully remove ths miner malware from your computer, reccomendations are to follow the removal instructions below. Since they are divided in manual and automatic removal, reccomendations are only to follow the manual removal in case you have experience in removing viruses this way. Otherwise, experts outline the best way to remove the SearchGo (Svchost.exe.exe) malware is by using an advanced anti-malware software, specifically created to remove such threats and protect your computer in the future against them 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 Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.exe Malware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.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.
Svchost.exe.exe Malware FAQ
What Does Svchost.exe.exe Malware Trojan Do?
The Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.exe Malware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.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 Svchost.exe.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.