Archiver.exe executable file is related to a harmful application that can properly be recognized as a coin miner virus. That malware type utilizes your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, primarily – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your system pretty much nonfunctional due to high CPU utilization.
What is Archiver.exe process?
Archiver.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have specified in the introduction, Archiver.exe is a coin miner virus. The names of the executive file may be diverse, however, the consequences are almost always the identical. Considering that coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they use all possible hardware power of your desktop to perform this process. This malware doesn’t take note of the fact that you probably want to make use of your machine for other activities – it will constantly take over 80% of your processor power.
Archiver.exe – Really high CPU as well as GPU usage
Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners additionally utilize GPU power for their operations. In that instance, you will probably struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as vital as processor for system work, so Archiver.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use all of it. It sometimes can cause bad results.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining term means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic part of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a very strong computer is required. Exactly, the video card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of video cards to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “normal” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Crooks who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ hardware instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Archiver.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
First, Archiver.exe virus makes your computer overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, since all CPU power is consumed by a virus. That malware does not care for your needs, all it pays attention to is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely experience incredibly slow performance. Pages will open for years, any type of logins will take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person that works online.
Archiver.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Archiver.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Aruler.exe, Shtirlitz.exe, Device_detection.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Archiver.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a single negative thing coin miners perform to your PC. Archiver.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your operating system. To carry out all malevolent operations effectively, it wrecks the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to avoid recognition. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new entries – they are added by this trojan miner to connect your PC to a malicious cryptomining network. All these changes shall be reverted to the original in the process of computer recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your PC’s performance, performing at peak level for long times may cause damage to your device and increase power costs. Hardware elements are created to easily deal with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.
Small and well-protected CPU fan is quite hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if touched while spinning, for example, by the user much before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by Archiver.exe malware can easily lead to graphic card failure3. Graphic cards are also tend to have fast wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when the performance of your GPU plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Archiver.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 malicious programs through “major” viruses. Adware sometimes functions as a carrier for Archiver.exe malware infiltration: it demonstrates you the banners, which contain a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” can belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that approximately 30% of all malware spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Archiver.exe is right with them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
Another way you could get this item on your PC is by downloading it from the unreliable site as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions of favored programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to get paid. For this reason, there is a huge lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked app and get a coin for every setup. Before criticizing these people for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid purchasing 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 as well as new parts for your PC.
How to remove the Archiver.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 involves the use of special program. Proper antivirus must have high performance at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to create no problems with utilization also on weak computers. Additionally, it is recommended to have proactive security in your protection tool – to stop the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender lacks these elements for different factors. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that goal. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great option that fits all of the discussed qualities.5
Before the virus removal, it is important to boot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Archiver.exe miner takes a lot of processor capacity, it is required to stop 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.
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.
When your system is in Safe Mode, all third-party software, along with the majority of non-critical operating system components, are not launched with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the system without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.
Remove Archiver.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.
After activating your free trial, start Full scan. It may last up to 10 minutes. You may use the PC as usual.
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.
Now, you are good to go. Reboot your PC into a normal Windows mode and use just as there was nothing malicious.
Remove Archiver.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Archiver.exe
Description: The Archiver.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Archiver.exe will create your CPU to go for very warm temperatures for prolonged periods of time, which could reduce the life of the CPU.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Trojan
User Review
( votes)References
- Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
- Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
- About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
- Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
- Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
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