VMProtect (VMProtectss.exe) XMRig Monero Miner

by Ventsislav Krastev | February 12, 2018 | 0 Comments malware, Miner, Monero, trojan

Threat Summary VMProtectss.exe Miner – How Does it Infect VMProtectss.exe Monero Miner – More Information Remove VMProtectss.exe Miner from Your PC

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	See If Your System Has Been Affected by malware Download Malware Removal Tool
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.

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

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your PC with SpyHunter

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter’s scanner is only for malware detection. If SpyHunter detects malware on your PC, you will need to purchase SpyHunter's malware removal tool to remove the malware threats. Read our SpyHunter 5 review. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria

1. Hold Windows key() + R

2. The "Run" Window will appear. In it, type "msconfig" and click OK.

3. Go to the "Boot" tab. There select "Safe Boot" and then click "Apply" and "OK".

Tip: Make sure to reverse those changes by unticking Safe Boot after that, because your system will always boot in Safe Boot from now on.

4. When prompted, click on "Restart" to go into Safe Mode.

5. You can recognise Safe Mode by the words written on the corners of your screen.

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:

1. Hold the Windows Logo Button and "R" on your keyboard. A Pop-up window will appear.

2. In the field type in "appwiz.cpl" and press ENTER.

3. This will open a window with all the programs installed on the PC. Select the program that you want to remove, and press "Uninstall"

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:

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.

IMPORTANT!
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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.

Download

Malware Removal Tool

It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.

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.

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

Get rid of VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner from Mac OS X.

Step 1: Uninstall VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner and remove related files and objects

OFFER

Manual Removal Usually Takes Time and You Risk Damaging Your Files If Not Careful!

We Recommend To Scan Your Mac with SpyHunter for Mac

Keep in mind, that SpyHunter for Mac needs to purchased to remove the malware threats. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter’s EULA and Privacy Policy

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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner:

Tip: To quit a process completely, choose the “Force Quit” option.

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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner. 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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner. 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 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:

Disclaimer! If you are about to tamper with Library files on Mac, be sure to know the name of the virus file, because if you delete the wrong file, it may cause irreversible damage to your MacOS. Continue on your own responsibility!

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 VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner. 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 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.

Click the button below below to download SpyHunter for Mac and scan for VMProtectss.exe XMRig Miner:

Download

SpyHunter for Mac

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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 Stop Push Pop-ups

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 Stop Push Pop-ups

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 Stop Push Pop-ups

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.

How to Reset Safari
IMPORTANT: Before resetting Safari make sure you back up all your saved passwords within the browser in case you forget them.

Start Safari and then click on the gear leaver icon.

Click the Reset Safari button and you will reset the browser.

Windows Mac OS X Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Microsoft Edge Safari Internet Explorer Stop Push Pop-ups

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.