This article aims to help you by showing you what is the Taskhostw.exe process and how to remove the Taskhostw.exe miner from your computer.
A new Monero miner Trojan has been identified by malware researchers to drop malicious files on the computers of victims and overload the GPU and CPU of compromised devices in order to mine for the cryptocurrency Monero. The miner malware may enter computers while unnoticed and drop several files on them after which connect the victim PC to a mining pool and begin to overheat it’s components to generate profits to the ones who are behind this infection. Such malware is particularly risky and if you have it installed on your computer, recommendations are to immediately remove it, preferably by reading the information in this article.
Threat Summary
| Name | Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware |
| Type | Trojan Horse and Monero Miner Malware |
| Short Description | Aims to use the resources on the infected computers in order to generate Monero tokens to the cyber-criminals cryptocurrency wallet. |
| Symptoms | Slow computer plus the cooling fans running and the process taskhostw.exe running in Task Manager. |
| Distribution Method | Via malicious e-mail attachments, fake setups of files, malicious web links or fake updates. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware. |
Taskhostw.exe – How Does It Infect
In order to infect computers, Taskhostw.exe miner may come via variety of infection methods from the likes of:
- E-mail spam messages.
- Malicious setups which pose as fake setups of programs or games.
- Fake driver setups.
- Malicious web links posted on social media or other massively used services.
- Fake documents sent as attachments via chat services.
In addition to thise, the Taskhostw.exe miner malware may also be spread via other malware that may be currently residing on your computer, known as Trojan.Downloader. Such viruses may download other viruses or adware on your PC without your consent and may quickly compromise it’s defenses against various types of threats using variety of exploits.
Taskhostw.exe – Information and Activity
As soon as the Taskhostw.exe miner malware infects your computer, the malware drops the following files on your PC:
→ %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\updatechecker.exe and
taskhostw.exe
The “updatechecker” file may perform series of unwanted activities on your computer, such schedule the other file “Taskhostw” to run automatically and display a fake Flash Player web page (shown on the image below).
In addition to this, the updatechecker.exe file may also perform series of other negative activities on your computer, besides running the miner program, such as:
- Take screenshots.
- Log your keystrokes.
- Copy saved passwords from your web browsers.
- Activate your camera.
- Copy files.
- Update itself.
- Download other malware on your computer.
- Copy processes of itself to make manual removal more difficult.
The other file, as you may have figured by now is the miner program. He Taskhostw.exe runs automatically after it has been set as an autorun by the WindowsUpdateChecker which triggers it on startup. After doing so, the miner connects the victim’s computer to the following Monero mining pool:
→ xmr-eu2.nanopool.org:2828
This pool in combination with the miner begins to mine for the Monero cryptocurrency. This process, also known as hashing, results in the virus beginning to take up a lot of the victim’s CPU and GPU resources, as seen from the screenshot below:
After doing so, the computer of the victim may immediately begin to slow-down, freeze and begin to open programs way slower than usual. The fans on the computer may also be running all the time, making noises. Either way, having this miner may not only severely increase your electricity costs, but may also begin to break your PC’s components due to overheating them, in case it remains undetected for longer periods of time. All of these reasons combined are enough to focus on the removal of this malware from your PC as soon as possible.
Remove Taskhostw.exe CryptoCurrency Miner from Your PC
In order to remove this miner malware from your computer system, it is recommended that you follow the removal steps down below. They are divided In manual or automatic removal manual. If you are not experienced enough in malware removal, it is strongly recommended to remove Taskhosw.exe miner automatically, preferably by downloading an advanced anti-malware software, as experts suggest. Such tool will automatically scan for any file or object out of the ordinary on your computer and make sure that it is fixed and gone for good, if malicious, plus ensure that you also have future protection against intrusions.
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 Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware on Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware in Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware from Internet Explorer.
- Guide 8: Disable Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware Push Notifications in Your Browsers.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
About the Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Taskhostw.exe Miner 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, adware-related problem, and restore your browser and computer system.
How did we conduct the research on Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware?
Please note that our research is based on independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware, adware, and browser hijacker definitions.
Furthermore, the research behind the Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware threat is backed with VirusTotal https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload.
To better understand this online threat, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.
References
1.Browser Redirect – What Is It?
2.Adware Is Malicious, and It Uses Advanced Techniques to Infect
3.The Thin Red Line Between Potentially Unwanted Programs and Malware
4.The Pay-Per-Install Affiliate Business – Making Millions out of Adware
5.Malicious Firefox Extensions Installed by 455,000 Users Blocked Updates
How to Remove Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware
Step 2: Uninstall Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware 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 Taskhostw.exe Miner 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 Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:
1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
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.
Step 4: Scan for Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.
2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.
3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.
4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.
Video Removal Guide for Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware (Windows).
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Get rid of Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware 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:
2. Find Activity Monitor and double-click it:
3.In the Activity Monitor look for any suspicious processes, belonging or related to Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware:
4.Click on the "Go" button again, but this time select Applications. Another way is with the ⇧+⌘+A buttons.
5.In the Applications menu, look for any suspicious app or an app with a name, similar or identical to Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware. If you find it, right-click on the app and select “Move to Trash”.
6: Select Accounts, after which click on the Login Items preference.
Your Mac will then show you a list of items that start automatically when you log in. Look for any suspicious apps identical or similar to Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware. Check the app you want to stop from running automatically and then select on the Minus (“-“) icon to hide it.
7: Remove any left-over files that might be related to this threat manually by following the sub-steps below:
- 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 Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware 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:
1: Click on "Go" and Then "Go to Folder" as shown underneath:
2: Type in "/Library/LauchAgents/" and click Ok:
3: Delete all of the virus files that have similar or the same name as Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware. If you believe there is no such file, do not delete anything.
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 Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware, 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.
Video Removal Guide for Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware (Mac)
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware 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 Stop Push Pop-ups
Erase Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware 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 Stop Push Pop-ups
Uninstall Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware 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 Stop Push Pop-ups
Remove Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware 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 Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups
Eliminate Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware 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.
Remove Push Notifications caused by Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware from Your Browsers.
Turn Off Push Notifications from Google Chrome
To disable any Push Notices from Google Chrome browser, please follow the steps below:
Step 1: Go to Settings in Chrome.
Step 2: In Settings, select “Advanced Settings”:
Step 3: Click “Content Settings”:
Step 4: Open “Notifications”:
Step 5: Click the three dots and choose Block, Edit or Remove options:
Remove Push Notifications on Firefox
Step 1: Go to Firefox Options.
Step 2: Go to “Settings”, type “notifications” in the search bar and click "Settings":
Step 3: Click “Remove” on any site you wish notifications gone and click “Save Changes”
Stop Push Notifications on Opera
Step 1: In Opera, press ALT+P to go to Settings.
Step 2: In Setting search, type “Content” to go to Content Settings.
Step 3: Open Notifications:
Step 4: Do the same as you did with Google Chrome (explained below):
Eliminate Push Notifications on Safari
Step 1: Open Safari Preferences.
Step 2: Choose the domain from where you like push pop-ups gone and change to "Deny" from "Allow".
Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware FAQ
What is Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware?
The Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware threat is adware or browser redirect virus. It may slow your computer down siginficantly and display advertisements. The main idea is for your information to likely get stolen or more ads to appear on your device.
The creators of such unwanted apps work with pay-per-click schemes to get your computer to visit risky or different types of websites that may generate them funds. This is why they do not even care what types of websites show up on the ads. This makes their unwanted software indirectly risky for your OS.
What are the symptoms of Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware?
There are several symptoms to look for when this particular threat and also unwanted apps in general are active:
Symptom #1: Your computer may become slow and has poor performance in general.
Symtpom #2: You have toolbars, add-ons or extensions on your web browsers that you don't remember adding.
Symptom #3: You see all types of ads, like ad-supported search results, pop-ups and redirects to randomly appear.
Symptom #4: You see installed apps on your Mac running automatically and you do not remember installing them.
Symptom #5: You see suspicious processes running in your Task Manager.
If you see one or more of those symptoms, then security experts reccomend that you check your computer for viruses.
What types of Unwanted Programs are there?
According to most malware researchers and cyber-security experts, the threats that can currently affect your Mac can be the following types:
- Rogue Antivirus programs.
- Adware.
- Browser hijackers.
- Clickers.
- Fake optimizers.
What to do if I have a "virus" like Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware?
Do not panic! You can easily get rid of most adware or unwanted program threats by firstly isolating them and then removing them from your browser and computer. One reccomended way to do that is by using a reputable malware removal software that can take care of the removal automatically for you. There are many anti-malware apps out there that you can choose from. SpyHunter is one of the reccomended anti-malware apps, that can scan your computer for free and detect any viruses, tracking cookies and unwanted adware apps and eliminate them quickly. This saves time when compared to doing the removal manually.
How to secure my passwords and other data from Taskhostw.exe Miner Malware?
With few simple actions. First and foremost, it is imperative that you follow these steps:
Step 1: Find a safe computer and connect it to another network, not the one that your Mac was infected in.
Step 2: Change all of your passwords, starting from your e-mail passwords.
Step 3: Enable two-factor authentication for protection of your important accounts.
Step 4: Call your bank to change your credit card details (secret code, etc.) if you have saved your credit card for online shopping or have done online activiites with your card.
Step 5: Make sure to call your ISP (Internet provider or carrier) and ask them to change your IP address.
Step 6: Change your Wi-Fi password.
Step 7: (Optional): Make sure to scan all of the devices connected to your network for viruses and repeat these steps for them if they are affected.
Step 8: Install anti-malware software with real-time protection on every device you have.
Step 9: Try not to download software from sites you know nothing about and stay away from low-reputation websites in general.
If you follow these reccomendations, your network and all devices will become significantly more secure against any threats or information invasive software and be virus free and protected in the future too.
More tips you can find on our website, where you can also ask any questions and comment underneath the articles about your computer problems. We will try to respond as fast as possible.