This article aims to explain what is the VMProtectss.exe Monero cryptocurrency miner and how to remove it from your computer system.
A new Trojan horse which aims to mine for the cryptocurrency Monero has been reported to utilize the resources on the victims’ computer in order to obtain tokens from the crypto. The miner, has been reported to primarily take up the CPU and GPU resources, which results in the victim’s computer slowing down significantly. If your computer has been compromised by the VMProtectss.exe miner, we recommend that you read the following article in order to learn how to remove thw VMProtectss.exe Monero miner and protect your computer against future cryptojacking malware.
Threat Summary
| Name | VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner |
| Type | CryptoCurrency Miner |
| Short Description | A Trojan horse that aims to use the CPU and GPU of the computers infected by it in order to mine for the cryptocurrency Monero. |
| Symptoms | VMProtectss.exe Monero miner is the type of malware that slows down your computer and runs it’s .exe process in the Task Manager with over 90% of your CPU being utilized. |
| Distribution Method | Malicious e-mail attachments, setups or via other malware. |
| Detection Tool |
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User Experience | Join Our Forum to Discuss VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner. |
VMProtectss.exe Miner – How Does it Infect
The VMProtectss.exe miner may be spread in a variety of methods. The most likely of all, which also accounts to over 80% of the malware infections is believed to be via malicious e-mail spamming messages.Such are often spread in a variety of ways, including e-mails that pretend the malicious files are legitimate:
- Documents.
- Order receipts.
- Invoices.
- Order confirmations.
The e-mails that are sent usually resemble big companies from the likes of eBay, PayPal and other online retailers and big companies of similar nature.
In addition to this, the VMProtectss.exe Monero miner may also exist in other forms such as being uploaded on websites, pretending to be:
- Setup of software.
- Fake key generator.
- Fake license activator.
- Fraudulent driver installer.
VMProtectss.exe Monero Miner – More Information
As soon as the VMProtect Miner has infected your computer, the malware may immediately download it’s malicious process, called VMProtectss.exe. This process is then scheduled in the Windows Task Schedule to run as an adminstrator automatically and when the process is executed it begins to drain from the CPU and likely the GPU’s power. It remains active in Windows task Manager where it can be spotted:
What is very problematic regarding this miner is that it will not only use portion of your CPU, but it will aim to use as much as it can. This will result in your computer becoming slow and unresponsive. But this is not all – if the malware remains active on your computer for longer periods of time, you risk damaging the components of your computer system.
In addition to this, since VMProtectss.exe is a Trojan horse after all, the miner may perform other unwanted activities on your computer system, such as:
- Run the VMProtectss.exe miner process with a description XMRig CPU Miner constantly in the background and on system boot.
- Take screenshots on your PC.
- Log your keystrokes.
- Obtain different information from your computer.
- Steal passwords and files.
Remove VMProtectss.exe Miner from Your PC
In order to remove this cryptocurrency miner infection from your computer system, we would advise following the removal instructions down below. They are specifically created in order to help you by explaining how to delete this malware either manually or automatically. If you lack the experience in manually eliminating all traces of VMProtectss.exe from your computer, we would advise you to do so automatically. Experts always outline to download and install and advanced anti-malware software to scan your computer and remove all malware, including VMProtectss.exe from it and ensure future protection in real time at a click of a button.
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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Windows.
- Guide 2: Get rid of VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Mac OS X.
- Guide 3: Remove VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Google Chrome.
- Guide 4: Erase VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Mozilla Firefox.
- Guide 5: Uninstall VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Microsoft Edge.
- Guide 6: Remove VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Safari.
- Guide 7: Eliminate VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Internet Explorer.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
How to Remove VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Windows.
Step 1: Boot Your PC In Safe Mode to isolate and remove VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner
Step 2: Uninstall VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Mac OS X.
Step 1: Uninstall VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner files from your Mac
When you are facing problems on your Mac as a result of unwanted scripts and programs such as VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner, 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner will be removed.
Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer
Eliminate VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner 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.
