How to Remove Bitcoin Miner Malware [4 easy steps]

Fileless malware is turning out to be a major threat in the cyber security domain, and it will not go away anytime soon.

Bitcoin miner malware is one of the latest additions of this malicious software landscape, and it comes with a significant risk for your device.

The primary goal of this malware is to automatically mine cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin by running several processes on the infected machine.

This simultaneous operation of processes makes your PC extremely slow, such that it eventually becomes dysfunctional.

The worst part is that this malware doesn’t leave a single file on your computer, which means it is extremely difficult to detect and remove it.

If you think your PC has been infected with this malicious virus, here’s a detailed guideline on identifying and removing it.

How to Detect the Malware

Although there is no specific way for identifying Bitcoin miner malware, here are some common symptoms that most users experience:

• Sudden pop-up advertisements that start appearing every time you turn on the internet.
• Automatic redirection of browser.
• Offers and updates for strange websites.
• A sudden increase in spam emails.
• An automatic change in the settings of the browser. Although this primarily pertains to the home page settings, it can also affect other settings like your startup, tabs, content, privacy and search handle.
• New search toolbars start appearing in your browser.

If you experience one or many of these symptoms, it is very likely that your device has been infected by this dangerous malware.

How to Remove the Cryptocurrency Miner Malware

Here are the steps you need to follow for getting rid of Bitcoin miner malware from your device:

Step 1: Manually removing it from the “Installed Programs Tab”

This is probably one of the simplest ways to remove the malware.

1. To start off, you will first have to open the control panel.
2. Now click on the option called “programs” and find the “Bitcoin Miner” software in the list of programs.
3. Once you locate it, simply right click on it and then click uninstall.

The software will be automatically removed once you click on the “uninstall” button.

Step 2: Using “Safe Mode” to Remove the Malware

The second way to get rid of this unwanted program is by using the “safe mode” option on your PC.

To begin with this, you will first have to remove all the CDs and DVDs from your PC and then restart it from the start menu.

If your PC comes with a single operating system, you will have to constantly press F8 until the boot screen finally appears.

In case you find a Windows logo on your screen, you will have to follow the same task again and again until you find the boot menu.

If, however, your PC comes with multiple operating systems, you will find specific arrow keys.

These keys will help you to choose the operating system you want to start in the safe mode.

Here too, you will have to press the F8 key like you would have in case of a single operating system.

In both cases, a few steps ought to be followed:

1. Once you find the “advanced boot options” on your screen, choose the “safe mode” option with your arrow keys.
2. When you make your pick, press the “enter” key. After you do this, you will be able to enter your PC with your administrator account.
3. Now, click on the start option of your PC and type “disk cleaner.” Double click the disk cleaner to start the cleanup. Reboot your machine once the cleanup is complete.

Step 3: Resetting your Browser

The Bitcoin miner malware primarily infects your machine through the browser.

So, if you feel that your browser has been infected with this malware, one of the best ways to get rid of it is by resetting the device to its original settings.

Unlike reinstalling, resetting will help you retain all personal tweaks like your passwords, open tabs and bookmarks.

Although different browsers come with a different set of settings, resetting them usually requires some general commands.

1. To begin with, click on the settings option on the upper right corner of your browser window. While both Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox will come with a “settings” icon, Google Chrome uses vertical dots for the same.
2. After clicking on it, you’ll find a tab called “advanced settings” in the dropdown menu. Click on that tab.
3. Once you do this, you will find the “reset” option in the dropdown menu. Click it to reset your browser.

This will then remove all the irrelevant data from the malicious software and get your device working flawlessly right away.

Step 4: Using a Malware Scanner

This is another simple and hassle-free way to get rid of the cryptocurrencies miner malware.

All you need to do is get a good malware scanner, follow the set of instructions and get it running.

This will not only detect and remove the mining malware, but it’ll also get rid of any/every other additional malware that has infected your system.

1. For this step, first find an authentic malware scanner. Follow this by visiting its official website.
2. There, you will find a download option. Click on it to download the scanner.
3. Once the scanner is downloaded, double click on the installed file for starting the process of installation. In most cases, you will find a wizard. Follow the instructions of the wizard and click on the “next” option accordingly.
4. In case you find a license agreement, read it and accept it. This will then be followed by a set of additional options for installation, destination location, components and additional tasks. Read every page, and keep clicking the “next” option to start the subsequent processes.
5. After the entire set of processes is complete, you will get an option called “install now.” Click it to finish the process.

As you do this, you will find a virus definitions database which will locate the concerned malware.

The software will then automatically delete this cryptocurrency miner along with the temporary files that came with it.