Crypto jacking on your PC: A complete guide to detecting and eliminating the threat

Have you noticed that your computer is running slower than usual? Electricity bills have increased without any apparent reason? Most likely, the culprit is a hidden cryptocurrency mining virus. These malicious programs quietly utilize your hardware’s processing power to mine coins for cybercriminals. Let’s figure out how to check your computer for such threats and protect your device.

What happens when a miner virus takes over your PC?

When talking about a mining virus, it refers to malicious software that installs itself on your machine without permission and runs background processes to mine cryptocurrencies — Bitcoin, Monero, or Ethereum. This phenomenon is called cryptojacking.

Important point: the miner itself is just a program. It only becomes a virus if it is installed covertly and operates without user consent. Malicious actors use three main distribution channels:

• Downloading files from untrusted sources (pirated software, game mods)
• Clicking on malicious links in emails and messaging apps
• Exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated operating systems
• Visiting compromised websites with embedded mining scripts

How does a mining virus hide in your system?

The infection process looks like this: malicious code enters through a downloaded file or link, embeds itself into the system, disguises as a normal process, and begins solving mathematical problems in the background, sending results to the hacker’s server. All this happens unnoticed by you.

First signs: How to tell if your computer is infected?

If your PC exhibits one or more of these symptoms, it’s worth running a check:

Performance has suddenly dropped
Even simple operations take abnormally long. The browser responds with delays, windows open sluggishly, the system periodically freezes.

CPU and GPU are running at full capacity
Even when you haven’t launched any applications, Task Manager shows CPU or GPU usage at 70-100%.

Device overheats
Fans are roaring at maximum, laptop or PC case becomes painfully hot, even if idle.

Unusual electricity bills
Your electricity bill unexpectedly spikes without reason.

Unknown processes appear in Task Manager
Processes with suspicious names like (sysupdate.exe, miner64, update64) actively consume resources.

Browser behaves strangely
New extensions appear that you didn’t install, tabs open by themselves, the browser slows down even on blank pages.

How to check your computer for a mining virus: practical algorithm

Step one: analyze system load

Open Task Manager (Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows, or the “Activity Monitor” app on Mac). Go to the “Processes” tab and carefully review the list.

Pay attention to applications that:

• Consume 30% or more of CPU time without clear reason
• Have strange or random names
• Are located in suspicious folders (not in Program Files)

If you find anything unusual, note the process name and its path.

Step two: run a full antivirus scan

A quality antivirus is your first line of defense. Recommended options:

Kaspersky — excellent at detecting cryptojacking
Malwarebytes — specializes in hidden threats and malware
Bitdefender — lightweight, fast, and resource-efficient

Install the program, update signature databases to the latest version, and run a full system scan. Results usually appear in quarantine. If the antivirus detects “Trojan.CoinMiner” or similar, remove it immediately and reboot.

Step three: check startup items

Many malware configure themselves to launch automatically on startup. Remove this.

On Windows: press Win + R, type “msconfig”, open the “Startup” tab and disable anything suspicious.

On Mac: go to “System Preferences” → “Users & Groups” → “Login Items”, remove unfamiliar applications.

Step four: review your browser

Web mining is a common infection method. Check extensions (in Chrome, go to “Settings” → “Extensions”, in Firefox — “Add-ons and Themes”). Remove all you don’t recognize or remember installing.

Then clear cache and cookies to eliminate remnants of malicious scripts. Install blockers like AdBlock or MinerBlock — they not only filter ads but also prevent hidden mining scripts from running.

Step five: use specialized tools

For advanced users:

Process Explorer (free from Microsoft) — provides detailed info on each process. Launch it, find suspicious applications, right-click and select “Check online”.

Resource Monitor — built into Windows, monitors resource usage in real time. Open Command Prompt, type “resmon”.

Wireshark — advanced network traffic analyzer. Miners constantly communicate with external servers, which can be seen in Wireshark.

Additional methods to detect threats

Analyze network connections

Open Command Prompt (Win + R → cmd) and type: netstat -ano

You will see a list of all active connections. Look for unusual addresses or ports that are constantly active. Note the PID of the connection and match it with processes in Task Manager.

Monitor hardware temperature

Download HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner. If CPU or GPU temperature at idle exceeds normal levels (above 60°C without load) — it’s a sign to check for mining activity.

How to remove a mining virus if found?

1. Stop the process: select it in Task Manager and click “End Task”.

2. Find and delete the file: right-click the process, choose “Open file location”, then delete the file manually.

3. Clean residuals: use CCleaner to remove related registry entries and temporary files.

4. Reinstall OS (if nothing helps): in extreme cases where the virus is deeply embedded, this is the most reliable method.

Prevention: how to protect your computer from future infections?

• Install a reliable antivirus and keep it updated
• Download files only from trusted sources
• Use a VPN to protect against malicious sites
• Keep your OS and all applications up to date
• Disable JavaScript on suspicious websites
• Regularly review browser extensions

Summary

A mining virus is a cunning threat that can remain unnoticed for months, draining your PC’s power and increasing bills. Now you know how to check your computer for miners, what tools to use, and how to act if detected. Regular scans, an up-to-date antivirus, and caution when downloading files are your main shields against cryptojacking. Don’t wait until your computer slows down completely. If you notice any of the symptoms described, perform a full system diagnosis and cleanup immediately.