In the era of digital currencies, cryptocurrency mining has become a popular source of income. However, with the development of this technology, a new threat has emerged — malware for hidden mining, also known as cryptojacking. These programs secretly utilize the computing resources of your device, benefiting cybercriminals and significantly reducing system performance. In this guide, we will explore professional methods for detecting and removing such threats to ensure the safety of your digital environment.

What is mining malware and how does it work

Crypto mining malware (crypto mining malware) is a specialized type of malicious software that is secretly installed on a user's computer with the aim of unauthorized use of computing power to mine cryptocurrencies. Unlike legitimate mining, which the user voluntarily initiates, cryptojacking operates covertly, sending the mined cryptocurrency to the wallets of the attackers.

Technical characteristics of mining malware operation:

1. Infection mechanism:

   • Through phishing campaigns and malicious attachments
   • When loading pirated software
   • Through vulnerabilities in unpatched software
   • Using JavaScript injections in web browsers

2. Algorithm of malicious program actions:

   • Installation and masking under system processes
   • Automatic launch at system startup
   • Optimization of own code to avoid detection
   • The use of resource-intensive computations for mining

3. Target Cryptocurrencies:

   • Monero (XMR) — the most popular due to the anonymity of transactions
   • Ethereum (ETH) — for use with graphics processors
   • Bitcoin (BTC) — less often due to high equipment requirements

System Diagnosis: Signs of Mining Virus Infection

Timely detection of cryptojacking is critically important for protecting your system. Let's consider the key indicators of compromise:

Main symptoms of infection:

1. Abnormal system performance:

   • Significant slowdown of the computer's performance
   • Delays in performing basic operations
   • Increasing application loading time

2. Unusual load on components:

   • Constant CPU/GPU load at 70-100% in idle mode
   • The cooling system noise even at minimal activity
   • Critical overheating of the device in standby mode

3. Energy Consumption and Network Activity:

   • Significant increase in electricity consumption
   • Anomalous network traffic to mining pools
   • Unusual activity during non-working hours

4. System anomalies:

   • The emergence of unknown processes with high resource consumption
   • Unauthorized modifications of browser extensions
   • Disabling antivirus software or firewall

Technical Methods for Detecting Crypto Miners

To identify malicious miners, a comprehensive approach should be used that combines various system analysis methods.

Method 1: System Process Analysis

Task Manager ( and similar tools allow for the identification of suspicious activity:

1. Diagnosis using standard tools:

   • Windows: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager
   • macOS: open Activity Monitor )Activity Monitor(
   • Linux: use the top or htop commands in the terminal

2. Signs of Suspicious Processes:

   • Unknown processes with high resource consumption
   • Processes with names similar to system ones, but slightly altered )svchosd.exe instead of svchost.exe(
   • Processes that start from non-standard directories

3. In-depth analysis of processes:

Processes requiring special attention:

• XMRig, cpuminer, minerd
• High GPU Load Processes in Idle Mode
• Programs with opaque network connections

) Method 2: Specialized antivirus protection tools

Modern antivirus solutions have special mechanisms for detecting cryptojacking:

1. Recommended antivirus programs:

   • Kaspersky: has specialized algorithms for detecting crypto miners
   • Malwarebytes: effective against hidden threats and PUP ###potentially unwanted programs(
   • Bitdefender: uses behavioral analysis to detect miners

2. Verification Algorithm:

   • Installing and updating antivirus software to the latest version
   • Launching a full system scan using heuristic methods
   • Quarantine check for analyzing detected threats

3. Interpretation of scan results: Mining malware is usually classified as:

   • Trojan.CoinMiner
   • PUA.BitCoinMiner
   • Win32/CoinMiner
   • Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!rfn

) Method 3: Analyzing Startup and Task Scheduler

Cryptominers often embed themselves in the startup for reinfection after a reboot:

1. Auto-boot check:

   • Windows: use msconfig ###Win+R → msconfig( or Autoruns
   • macOS: System Preferences → Users & Groups → Login Items
   • Linux: check systemd services or crontab

2. Task Scheduler Analysis:

   • Windows: open Task Scheduler to look for suspicious tasks
   • Linux/macOS: check crontab using the command crontab -l

3. Technical Indicator: Pay attention to tasks with encrypted commands or those that run PowerShell scripts with the parameters -WindowStyle Hidden or -ExecutionPolicy Bypass

) Method 4: Monitoring Network Connections

Mining malware must interact with external servers:

1. Network Activity Analysis: bash

   In Windows use the command:

   netstat -ano | findstr ESTABLISHED

   In Linux/macOS:

   netstat -tuln

2. Search for suspicious connections:

   • Check connections to known mining pools
   • Pay attention to atypical ports ###3333, 14444, 8545(
   • Use Wireshark for deep traffic analysis

3. Signs of Suspicious Traffic:

   • Persistent connections with the same IP addresses
   • Regular data transfers of small volume
   • Unencrypted Stratum connection protocol ) is used in mining (

Professional Approach to Mining Malware Removal

After detecting an infection, a set of measures must be taken to eliminate the threat:

) Stage 1: Isolation and Primary Removal

1. Interruption of malware operation:

   • Disconnect your device from the internet to prevent communication with C&C servers
   • Terminate the identified malicious processes through the task manager
   • Boot into Safe Mode ###Safe Mode( to prevent the automatic launch of malware.

2. Removal of identified components:

   • Use antivirus software for targeted removal of identified threats
   • Check the temporary directories for suspicious files
   • Clear browser extensions and plugins of malicious components

) Step 2: Deep System Cleaning

1. Using specialized utilities:

   • RKill to terminate hidden processes
   • AdwCleaner for detecting and removing adware
   • Farbar Recovery Scan Tool for deep system analysis

2. Registry and System Files Cleanup:

   • Removal of malicious autostart keys
   • Restoration of modified system files
   • DNS settings reset to prevent redirections

3. Technical cleaning algorithm:

   1. Boot the system in Safe Mode with Networking
   2. Install and run RKill
   3. Scan using Malwarebytes and HitmanPro
   4. Check and restore system files using the command sfc /scannow
   5. Run dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

Stage 3: Prevention of Re-infection

1. System protection:

   • Update the operating system and all software
   • Install permanent antivirus protection with behavior monitoring module
   • Activate the firewall with advanced settings

2. Browser Security:

   • Install script blockers ###ScriptSafe, NoScript(
   • Use extensions to block miners )MinerBlock, NoCoin(
   • Regularly clear your browser cache and cookies

3. Organizational measures:

   • Implement a practice of regular data backup
   • Conduct periodic system checks for anomalies
   • Avoid downloading files from unverified sources

Technical Preventive Measures Against Cryptojacking

To protect against mining viruses in the long term, it is recommended to implement the following technical measures:

) 1. Multi-level protection system

Basic level:

• Regular updates of the OS and applications
• Using reliable antivirus software with heuristic analysis capabilities
• Configuring the firewall to block unknown connections

Advanced level:

• Implementation of the intrusion prevention system ###IPS(
• Using a sandbox to run suspicious programs
• Regular monitoring of system logs

) 2. Setting system constraints

Resource Management:

• Setting CPU limits for user processes
• Implementation of system integrity control solutions ###IDS(
• Using whitelisting for allowed applications

Network restrictions:

• Blocking known mining pools at the DNS level
• Stratum protocol filtering on the router
• Monitoring anomalous network traffic

) 3. Educational measures for users

• Recognition of phishing attack signs and social engineering
• Safe web surfing and file downloading practices
• Periodic system checks for malware

Specific Types of Cryptojacking and Protection Against Them

Browser cryptojacking

Features:

• Works directly in the browser through JavaScript
• Active only when visiting infected sites
• Does not require the installation of executable files

Protection Methods:

• Using specialized extensions: MinerBlock, NoScript, uBlock Origin
• Disabling JavaScript on unverified sites
• Monitoring CPU load when visiting web pages

Cloud Cryptojacking

Features:

• Aimed at server infrastructure and cloud computing
• Exploits vulnerabilities in Docker, Kubernetes, and API
• May lead to significant financial losses due to cloud payments