Impacted by Xmrig.moneroocean.stream? This guide will provide you with a deeper understanding of this threat and guide you on how to eliminate it.
What Is Xmrig.moneroocean.stream?
A new stealthy Trojan horse that displays ads and employs a cryptocurrency miner has been identified by malware researchers.
The malware, dubbed Xmrig.moneroocean.stream after the process it initiates, masquerades as a Windows Update and utilizes the CPU and GPU resources of the infected computers. This is done with the aim of mining cryptocurrencies. Moreover, the Xmrig.moneroocean.stream also has modules, whose main function is to show advertisements on the victim’s computer, which may introduce additional risks.
If you notice the Xmrig.moneroocean.stream or Taskhostw.exe processes operating in the background of your computer, it is recommended to read the following article and learn how to remove Xmrig.moneroocean.stream from your computer.
Xmrig.moneroocean.stream Summary
| Type | Miner Trojan and Adware |
| Removal Time | Approximately 15 minutes for a full-system |
| Removal Tool |
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Xmrig.moneroocean.stream Miner – How Did I Get It
The primary way your computer could have been infected with the Xmrig.moneroocean.stream Adware Miner is likely through a counterfeit setup or a program that you may have downloaded from the internet, assuming it was legitimate. Such malware often masquerades as:
- A driver setup.
- An installer of a free program or a game.
- A game patch.
- A crack or other license activator.
- A key generator for activation.
There’s also a chance that you may have clicked on a harmful web link that could have been sent to you via email or through a chat service, like Messenger, Viber, etc.
Xmrig.moneroocean.stream Miner Trojan – Malicious Activity
Having this miner results in various side effects, such as a significant slowdown of your computer, due to overuse of your central processing unit (CPU) or graphics processor (GPU).
The malware maintains an active connection to a pool but credits all of the mined cryptocurrency tokens to the wallet of the cybercriminals who created it, at the expense of using your PC’s resources.
In addition to mining for cryptocurrencies, a possible Trojan infection may carry out a series of malicious activities on your PC, such as:
- Logging your keystrokes.
- Taking screenshots.
- Ensuring that you cannot access certain administrative directories.
- Stealing files directly from your PC.
- Retrieving passwords and logins from your web browser.
Furthermore, as it is also adware, the Trojan may display a series of advertisements on your computer system, which can direct you to various suspicious sites, like tech support scams, financial scamming sites, and even malicious websites, that may infect your computer with malware.
The advertisements displayed may come in different forms, such as:
- Banners replaced on the legitimate sites you have visited.
- Pop-ups that may appear with animations and sounds.
- Highlighted text pop-ups, hijacking legitimate web pages.
- Browser redirections.
Bitcoin miners and adware are not a new phenomenon, even though the trend of miners is on the rise.
However, this is the first instance where we see adware combined with a Trojan horse, which contains a cryptocurrency miner – quite remarkable and likely the work of a skilled programmer.
It is highly recommended to remove this malware as it can harm your computer’s components and steal valuable information. In addition to this, we also suggest changing all of your passwords from a secure device.
Remove Xmrig.moneroocean.stream Miner Adware Trojan from Your PC
To remove the Xmrig.moneroocean.stream malware, we recommend following the removal instructions provided below this article.
They are divided into manual and automatic removal guides and if you’re not accustomed to manual removal, experts advise downloading and installing advanced anti-malware software to automatically scan your computer and remove the Xmrig.moneroocean.stream Miner and adware. Such software will also ensure that your computer is safeguarded against future infections.
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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream.
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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool
Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Xmrig.moneroocean.stream 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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream 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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream 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.
Xmrig.moneroocean.stream FAQ
What Does Xmrig.moneroocean.stream Trojan Do?
The Xmrig.moneroocean.stream 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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream, 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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream 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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream 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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream Research
The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Xmrig.moneroocean.stream 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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream?
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 Xmrig.moneroocean.stream threat is backed with VirusTotal.
To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.