AdobeCollabSync.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
AdobeCollabSync.exe is a process associated with Adobe Creative Cloud. It is responsible for synchronizing files and data between Adobe Creative Cloud applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, and the Creative Cloud servers.

The AdobeCollabSync.exe process runs in the background and automatically starts when you launch an Adobe Creative Cloud application. It allows you to access your files and assets from anywhere and ensures they are up-to-date and consistent across all your devices.

If you are experiencing any issues with AdobeCollabSync.exe, you can try to troubleshoot the problem by restarting the Adobe Creative Cloud application or by reinstalling the application. You can also check for any updates or patches available for Adobe Creative Cloud.

AdobeCollabSync.exe is a legitimate process that is part of Adobe Creative Cloud and is used for file synchronization between the Creative Cloud servers and the Creative Cloud applications on your computer.

However, there have been instances where hackers have used legitimate processes to hide malware, including trojan miners. So, if you suspect that AdobeCollabSync.exe is behaving suspiciously, such as consuming an unusually high amount of CPU or memory resources, or if you notice any other unusual behavior on your computer, it is recommended that you run a malware scan using reputable antivirus software to ensure that your system is clean.

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Adobecollabsync.exe Windows Process

Adobecollabsync.exe – Extremely high CPU as well as GPU use

Besides CPU consumption, some coin miners additionally use GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as important as CPU for system work, so Adobecollabsync.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It often can lead to sad consequences.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining is a term that means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic part of any project based on blockchain technology. Since this operation requires many calculations, a very strong computer is needed. The graphic card is better for this purpose because more cores are available. Cryptomining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of graphic cards to conduct their activity effectively. Such systems are not usable for “classic” gaming or web browsing. Crooks who gain money via this coin miner use someone’s computer instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.1

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

  • Extremely bad performance
  • CPU/GPU cooler fan creates a lot of noise
  • High temperature of the device (for laptops)
  • 80-90% consumption of CPU/GPU resources by an unknown process
  • Microsoft Defender is not working
  • How dangerous is the Adobecollabsync.exe virus miner?

    Coin miners do not deal damage to your files. However, they do a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system

    First off, Adobecollabsync.exe malware makes your system overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, since a virus uses all CPU power. That malware does not care for your needs. All it pays attention to is generating income for you. Even if you are patient and you wait until web browser is open, you will likely struggle with extremely slow efficiency. Pages will open up for years; any logins will likely take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person who works online.

    Adobecollabsync.exe Technical Summary.

    File NameAdobecollabsync.exe
    TypeTrojan Coin Miner
    Detection NameTrojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution MethodSoftware bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behaviorCorsairlink4.exe, Acrotray.exe, Agmservice.exe
    RemovalDownload and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Adobecollabsync.exe removal.

    “Visible” damage is not a single negative activity coin miners perform to your system. Adobecollabsync.exe coin miner likewise deals damage to your operating system. To complete all malicious functions successfully, it wrecks the protection mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent detection. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new entries – they are brought in by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments shall be reverted to the initial state in the process of computer recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides decreasing your PC’s performance, running at peak power for long times may cause damage to your device as well as increase power bills. Hardware elements are designed to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.

    Compact and well-protected processor fan is quite hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if touched while spinning, for example, by the user much before the virus injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Adobecollabsync.exe virus can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure2. GPUs are also tend to have fast wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.

    How did I get Adobecollabsync.exe coin miner virus?

    Coin miners are spread through different ways, but their main sources are malicious banners and programs from dubious sources

    Coin miners are the most prevalent malevolent programs through “serious” malware. Adware sometimes serves as a carrier for Adobecollabsync.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which contain a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that about 30% of all malware spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Adobecollabsync.exe is right one of them.

    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    An additional way you could get this thing on your computer is by downloading it from the dubious site as a part of a program. People who spread hacked versions of well-known programs (which do not need the license key) have small chances to earn money. Hence, there is a very big temptation to add malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for each setup. Before blaming these people for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid paying for the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus program and new parts for your PC.

    How to remove the Adobecollabsync.exe miner from my PC?

    The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software

    Eliminating such a virus requires using specific tool. Effective antivirus must have high performance at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization also on weak PCs. Additionally, it is recommended to have on-run security in your protection solution – to halt the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender lacks these functions for various reasons. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great option that fits all of the specified characteristics.3

    Before the malware removal, it is important to boot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Adobecollabsync.exe miner takes a lot of processor capacity, it is required to halt it before launching the security program. Otherwise, your scan will last for years, even though the GridinSoft program is pretty lightweight.

    Booting the PC into Safe Mode with Networking

    Press the Start button, then choose Power, and click on Reboot while holding the Shift key on the keyboard.

    Boot into Windows Safe Mode

    Windows will reboot into recovery mode. In that mode, choose Troubleshoot→ Startup Settings→ Safe Mode with Networking. Press the corresponding button on your keyboard to choose that option.

    windows safe mode boot option with command prompt

    When your system is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, just like the majority of non-crucial operating system components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the system without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Adobecollabsync.exe coin miner virus with GridinSoft Anti-Malware

    Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware. You can use this anti-malware program for free during its 6-day trial period. In that term, all functions are available, and it takes no payments to remove malware from your system.

    GridinSoft Anti-Malware free trial

    After activating your free trial, start Full scan. It may last up to 10 minutes. You may use the PC as usual.

    Scanning in GridinSoft Anti-Malware

    When the scan is finished, press the Clean Now button to remove all detected elements from your system. This procedure takes less than a minute.

    GridinSoft Anti-Malware after the scan process

    Now, you are good to go. Reboot your PC into a normal Windows mode and use just as there was nothing malicious.

    Remove AdobeCollabSync.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: AdobeCollabSync.exe

    Description: If you suspect that AdobeCollabSync.exe is behaving suspiciously, such as consuming an unusually high amount of CPU or memory resources, or if you notice any other unusual behavior on your computer, it is recommended that you run a malware scan using reputable antivirus software to ensure that your system is clean.

    Operating System: Windows

    Application Category: Trojan

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    References

    1. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
    2. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
    3. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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    About the author

    Robert Bailey

    I'm Robert Bailey, a passionate Security Engineer with a deep fascination for all things related to malware, reverse engineering, and white hat ethical hacking.

    As a white hat hacker, I firmly believe in the power of ethical hacking to bolster security measures. By identifying vulnerabilities and providing solutions, I contribute to the proactive defense of digital infrastructures.

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