This article aims to help you by providing information on how to remove the newly detected WDF.EXE malicious application which uses your CPU to mine for cryptocurrenices.
A new malicious process, resembling WDF Sound driver for Windows has been reported to be harmful and misleading by security experts. The virus has the one and the only purpose to use your computer’s resources in order to mine for cryptocurrencies. Since the malware, associated with the process is a Trojan Horse, it may also install other miners on your computer, such as NvProfileUpdater64.exe miner that has also been reported to go along with it. If you see any hint of either WDF.EXE or NvProfileUpdater64.exe miner Trojans, we advise you to immediately remove them from your computer.
Threat Summary
| Name | WDF.EXE |
| Type | Cryptocurrency Miner Malware / Trojan Horse |
| Short Description | Aims to mine for cryptocurrencies at the expense of your computer’s CPU. |
| Symptoms | Drops suspicious processes on your computer system after which overloads your CPU, by using it’s resources. |
| Distribution Method | Via malicious web links, fake installers of programs or malicious e-mail attachments. |
| Detection Tool |
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WDF.EXE – Infection Methods
In order to infect a computer successfully the malicious file causing the infection with WDF.EXE malware may use techniques which bypass conventional antivirus detections, such as:
- Flash player exploits.
- RDP execution techniques.
- Malware obfuscation code embedded in it.
It may be spread via different methods, such as being sent out as a part of a massive e-mail spam campaign in the form of an e-mail attachment. Such e-mails often pretend to be from reputable companies, like PayPal, Dropbox, eBay and so on. The e-mails themselves are carefully created so that they fool you that the attached file is very important and you should immediately download it. The often used deception techniques are that the file is:
- A receipt from a purchase which the victim may or may not have made.
- A banking statement file, explaining suspicious activity on the victim’s bank account.
- An invoice, letter of confirmation or any type of seemingly important document.
Once the victim is tricked into opening the infection file, the infection takes place. In many cases, the file itself may be concealed as a .docm or .docx Microsoft Word documents with embedded malicious Macros within them, that cause the infection after their content has been enabled for editing.
Besides via e-mail, the WDF.EXE miner malware may also infect your computer by simply pretending to be an installer of a program you are looking to download for free online. There have also been reports of malware, like WDF.EXE being slithered onto victims’ computers, posing as key generators, game patches, game cracks and other files of such type.
WDF.EXE Trojan – More Information
As soon as the Bitcoin virus WDF.EXE Trojan has been executed on the victim’s computer, it drops the WDF.EXE file in the %system32% directory in %Windows% The file’s decryption is WDF Sound and services may appear on the infected computer, called NVIDIA Driver Profile Updater and WDF Sound. In addition to this, the WDF.EXE process is loaded in the Windows task managed and begins consuming a lot of the CPU power of the computer. This results in the following symptoms:
- Programs launch and perform much slower than usual.
- Windows maximizes and minimizes applications much slower.
- The computer may freeze at times.
- Videos may run with interruptions.
Furthermore, since the WDF.EXE process is associated with a Trojan Horse, it may also perform other malicious activities on the victim’s computer. These may usually be:
- Stealing key strokes on the infected computer and logging them.
- Obtaining information from your browser, like passwords and financial credentials.
- Stealing your system and network information.
Since it may also install another miner in its folder, named WDF in the %Windows% directory, going by the named of taskmon.exe, this virus may additionally bring harm to your video card as well and use your PC to mine for more than one cryptocurrency. Immediate removal on detection is strongly recommended.
How to Remove WDF.EXE CryptoCurrency Miner Malware
In order to remove this mining Trojan from your PC, you can follow the removal steps below. They are divided in Manual and Automatic removal instructions. Since manual removal may leave behind malicious files and unchanged settings, malware experts strongly recommend you to use an advanced anti-malware software in order to scan for and detect all objects and settings on your computer, related to WDF.EXE miner Trojan and remove them. Installing such software on your computer will also help you remove other malware if detected and protect your computer against any future 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.
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Preparation before removing WDF.EXE.
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 WDF.EXE with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by WDF.EXE 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 WDF.EXE 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 WDF.EXE 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.
WDF.EXE FAQ
What Does WDF.EXE Trojan Do?
The WDF.EXE 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 WDF.EXE, 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 WDF.EXE 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 factory reset.
Can WDF.EXE 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 WDF.EXE Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this WDF.EXE 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 WDF.EXE?
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 WDF.EXE threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.