Miner on your PC: signs, detection methods, and full protection

With the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, cryptojacking has become one of the most insidious threats online. Mining viruses operate silently, secretly using your CPU and GPU power to mine cryptocurrencies. In many cases, users do not notice for months that their computer is working for someone else. Let’s understand what this danger is and how to detect it in time.

What is behind the name “virus-miner”?

First of all, it’s important to understand the terminology. A miner itself is simply software for mining cryptocurrencies. But when it gets onto your computer without your consent and runs covertly, it turns into a classic malicious program. Cryptojacking is exactly the term specialists use to describe such attacks.

These programs usually target Monero, Bitcoin, or Ethereum mining. They embed themselves into the system, disguising as regular system processes, and start solving mathematical problems in the background. Of course, all the earnings go to the malicious actors.

How to tell if a virus-miner is already on your PC?

If your computer starts behaving strangely, it may be a warning sign. Pay attention to these symptoms:

System slows down without apparent reason. Even simple actions take longer than usual, windows open with delays, the system constantly freezes. This is the first red flag.

CPU or GPU are running at maximum even in idle mode. If you see 70-100% usage in Task Manager with no programs running, that’s abnormal.

Fans are humming like a vacuum cleaner, and the case is hot. Overheating in idle mode is a clear sign of excessive load on the hardware.

Electricity bills have increased without objective reasons. The miner runs constantly, consuming kilowatt-hours.

Unknown processes appear in Task Manager. Names like “sysupdate.exe” or obscure identifiers are a direct reason to investigate.

Browser starts lagging and loads itself. Often, a virus-miner uses the browser for its activities.

Where to start: step-by-step diagnostics

When you notice alarming signs, don’t panic. Follow a clear algorithm:

First: open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows or “Activity Monitor” on Mac). Go to the processes tab and sort by CPU or GPU usage. If some unknown process consumes 30% or more of resources — that’s suspicious. Remember its name and path.

Second: run an antivirus scan. Programs like Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, or Bitdefender effectively detect such threats. Install one if you haven’t already, update the virus database, and run a full scan. If something is found, quarantine and delete it.

Third: check startup items. Many miners activate automatically when the PC boots. On Windows, open “msconfig” (Win + R), find the “Startup” tab and disable all unfamiliar items. On Mac, go to System Preferences and remove suspicious apps from login items.

Fourth: examine your browser. Check extensions (in Chrome, go to “Settings” → “Extensions”). Remove all you didn’t install yourself. Clear cache and cookies. Install an ad blocker or miner blocker extension like AdBlock or MinerBlock.

Fifth: use specialized utilities. For detailed analysis, Process Explorer from Microsoft is suitable. Download, run, and look for processes with abnormal load. You can right-click and check online via the cloud.

Advanced methods if regular checks reveal nothing

If basic methods don’t help, dig deeper.

Open Command Prompt (Win + R → “cmd”) and type “netstat -ano”. This command shows all active network connections. Miners often send data to hacker servers, so you might catch suspicious IPs. Match the IP with the process ID (process identifier) and verify in Task Manager.

Use temperature monitoring tools like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner. If CPU or GPU heat up to 60-70°C at idle, that’s abnormal. Record the readings and compare with normal values.

Check network activity with Wireshark. This tool shows all traffic passing through your computer. While it requires some knowledge, it can provide answers that other methods cannot.

How does a virus-miner get into the system?

Understanding infection pathways helps protect yourself:

• Downloading pirated software, cracks, mods for games. That’s often where cryptojacking is embedded.
• Phishing links in emails and messengers. A well-crafted email supposedly from a bank or popular service may contain malware.
• Unpatched vulnerabilities in OS or software. Failing to update your system leaves known holes open for hackers.
• Malicious websites. Some sites run mining scripts directly in the visitor’s browser.

Removal: if the virus-miner has already settled in

If diagnostics confirm the threat, act as follows:

Step one: stop the process in Task Manager (right-click → “End Task”).

Step two: find the executable file. Right-click the process, open properties, and note the path. Manually delete the file from that folder. Or let your antivirus do it automatically.

Step three: use utilities like CCleaner to clean registry remnants and temporary files.

Step four (if nothing helps): reinstall the operating system. It’s a radical method, but guarantees complete removal of deeply rooted malware.

How to prevent re-infection

Prevention is always cheaper than treatment:

• Install a quality antivirus (Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, Bitdefender) and keep its databases updated.
• Do not download files from dubious sources and avoid opening links from unknown contacts.
• Regularly update your OS and all applications. Vulnerabilities are closed through updates.
• Use a VPN when connecting to open Wi-Fi networks.
• Disable JavaScript in your browser on suspicious sites.
• Make regular backups of important data.

Summary

A virus-miner is a sneaky enemy that works silently, consuming your computer’s resources. But if you know the signs of infection and follow a checking algorithm, you can quickly detect and neutralize the threat. Task Manager, a reliable antivirus, and specialized tools are your weapons against cryptojacking. Don’t ignore early signals: if your PC starts slowing down without reason, start diagnostics. Timely actions save not only your computing resources but also your peace of mind.