What Is Cryptojacking and How to Detect a Crypto Miner Virus

What Is a Crypto Miner Virus?

Crypto jacking is the process of illegally using the computing resources of a computer to mine cryptocurrency without the knowledge of its owner.

A miner virus is a malicious program that illegally uses the computing resources of an infected computer to mine cryptocurrencies. It usually runs hidden processes, overloading the processor or graphics chip (GPU), resulting in increased power consumption, slowing down the device, and possibly damaging the hardware with prolonged overloading. Bitcoin miner virus can enter your computer through infected files, phishing emails, compromised websites or other security vulnerabilities.

How Does Cryptojacking Work?

Cryptojacking in cyber security means attackers stealthily run code to mine cryptocurrency on someone else’s device, using its processor or video card. Instead of building their own mining farms or paying for cloud mining, they use malware or web scripts embedded in websites. When a user visits an infected resource or installs infected software, the malware is activated and performs computational operations to mine cryptocurrencies. All the “rewards” for mining go to the attacker’s crypto wallet, and the device owner faces slowdowns, increased power consumption and the risk of equipment damage from constant overloading.

How Does a Cryptojacking Attack Affect a Computer?

The main dangers of a miner virus for a computer:

1. There is a heavy load on the processor and video card. The malicious program uses computing resources to the maximum, which can cause the system to “slow down,” hang, and work unstably.
2. Overheating and shortening the life of components. The constant high load can lead to overheating of the processor, video card, and other components, negatively affecting their working life and can cause failure.
3. Increased power consumption. Electricity bills increase due to increased power consumption, which is especially on powerful desktop systems.
4. Risk of other infections. A mining virus often becomes an entry point for more serious cyberattacks—it can install additional third-party software, opening the way for fraudsters to access personal data and the internal network.
5. Reduced security and privacy. The virus can pass system information, passwords, Cookies and other sensitive data to attackers, putting accounts at risk of being cryptojacked and personal information leaked.

What Cryptocurrencies Do Crypto Jackers Mine?

Cryptojackers mostly focus on cryptocurrencies that can be mined using a CPU or GPU. They choose algorithms requiring relatively little computing power so infected devices can mine without being instantly detected. Here are the main cryptocurrencies most commonly used in cryptojacking:

1. Monero (XMR) is the main target of cryptojackers. It uses the RandomX algorithm optimized for CPU mining, and anonymous transactions make Monero attractive to attackers.
2. Ethereum Classic (ETC): After Ethereum switched to Proof-of-Stake, miners switched to ETHash, which is still relevant for GPU mining.
3. Zcash (ZEC) uses the Equihash algorithm, which is suitable for video cards and ASIC miners.
4. Ravencoin (RVN) is mined on KAWPOW, which allows mining on GPUs and CPUs.
5. Bytecoin (BCN) – like Monero, based on the CryptoNight algorithm, focused on anonymity.
6. TurtleCoin (TRTL) is a lightweight coin based on CryptoNight, suitable for hidden mining on weak devices.
7. Bitcoin Gold (BTG)—uses the Equihash algorithm that supports GPU mining.

Types of Cryptojacking

There are several types of hidden viruses for mining:

• File-based (classic) miners: infiltrate the computer through infected files (software, documents, games) and run in the background every time the system is started.
• Fileless miners: do not create explicit executable files, are loaded into RAM and can use built-in system tools (PowerShell, WMI).
• Browser scripts (web mining): embedded in the code of websites or plugins, these start mining when you visit a page and often stop after you close it.
• Browser extensions and plug-ins disguise themselves as popular add-ons (e.g., ad blockers) and stealthily perform mining in the background.
• Mobile miners: Hidden in smartphone apps, causing rapid battery drain and overheating of the device.
• Mining botnets combine many infected devices into a network where each “machine” mines cryptocurrency for attackers’ benefit.

Methods of Hidden Crypto Miner Infection

One of the most common ways to get infected with a mining virus is phishing: the user receives an email containing malicious attachments or a link to a fake resource. When opening a document or downloading an “update”, the user unwittingly launches a miner. Often the virus masquerades as a popular but illegal program (hacked games, pirated software), and can also spread through compromised sites that stealthily download mining scripts when you visit them.

Another attack vector involves vulnerabilities in operating systems and applications, as well as open network ports. Attackers scan the network looking for security holes that allow malicious code to be injected without user involvement. Malicious browser extensions or plug-ins should not be forgotten: add-ons masquerade as harmless tools (e.g., an ad blocker) but actually run illegal mining in the background.

How to Know If You Have a Crypto Miner Virus?

To recognize the threat in time, pay attention to the following signs:

How to Stop Cryptojacking?

If you notice signs of a mining virus on your computer – follow these steps to get rid of the threat:

1. Disconnect the internet or put the system in “safe mode”. This will limit the malware’s communication with the attackers’ server and prevent it from spreading further.
2. Perform a full antivirus scan. Use an up-to-date antivirus program and scan all disks. Make sure that potentially unwanted program (PUP) detection features are enabled.
3. Use specialized utilities. Install an additional scanner (there are programs to remove the miner virus, for example, Malwarebytes or Dr.Web CureIt). Run a deep system scan, following the utility’s instructions.
4. Check the autoloader and running processes. Open “Task Manager” (Windows) or an analog in another OS. Disable all suspicious processes and remove unwanted programs from the autoloader list.
5. Check your browser and extensions. Open the settings of all browsers, remove unfamiliar plug-ins, suspicious toolbars and search engines. Reset the settings to default if you notice changes you didn’t make yourself.
6. Update software and OS. Install the latest operating system, driver, and application updates. Outdated software may contain vulnerabilities that miners exploit.
7. Restart your computer and run a second test. Make sure the first virus scan for miners is complete, malicious software has been removed, and all processes and autoloaders have been cleared. Observe the CPU and video card load: if the indicators are back to normal, you have successfully removed the virus.

How Does Hidden Mining Affect Trading?

Hidden mining interferes with trading by overloading the processor and slowing down the work of trading bots, which causes orders to be executed with a delay or not pass at all. Exchange terminals begin to slow down and charts update slowly, which prevents you from reacting quickly to the market. In addition, cryptojacking can overload the Internet channel, causing disconnects with the exchange and increasing the risk of position liquidation. If you trade from a laptop, hidden mining will accelerate battery drain and cause the device to overheat, fraught with sudden shutdowns during trades.

How to Prevent Cryptojacking?

To protect your computer from mining viruses, regularly update your operating system and applications, use a reliable antivirus and antispyware software, checking your system for potentially unwanted programs. It is important to watch out for sudden spikes in CPU and video card load, be careful when opening emails and links (especially from unfamiliar recipients), and use ad and script blockers in your browser. Work under an account without administrator rights, periodically check the autoloader and remove questionable software. Download programs only from official websites to avoid installing malicious components.

Conclusion

Modern miner viruses may be unnoticeable at first glance, but are extremely harmful to your computer and wallet. To counteract scammers, it is important not only to know how to find a miner on a pc, but also how to remove a hidden miner. By taking a little time for prevention and checking your system regularly, you will keep your PC stable and protect your personal information.