Asusupdate.exe is an executable file associated with ASUS Live Update, a software utility provided by ASUS for their computer systems and devices. ASUS Live Update is designed to help users keep their ASUS hardware and software up to date by providing automatic updates for drivers, BIOS, and other system components.
The asusupdate.exe file is responsible for launching the ASUS Live Update application and managing the update process. It checks for the latest software versions and downloads and installs updates as needed. This helps ensure that users have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches for their ASUS devices.
It is important to note that while asusupdate.exe is a legitimate component of ASUS Live Update, it is always recommended to download updates from official and trusted sources to avoid any potential risks. Additionally, exercising caution and verifying the authenticity of updates before installation can help maintain the security and integrity of your system.
What is Asusupdate.exe process?
Asusupdate.exe is an executable file associated with ASUS Live Update
If you have observed that asusupdate.exe is not signed, consuming excessive CPU resources, and located in the temporary folder, it could potentially indicate that the file is not the legitimate ASUS Live Update executable and may be a coin miner malware masquerading as asusupdate.exe. Coin miner malware is designed to use the processing power of infected systems to mine cryptocurrencies without the user’s consent.
To ensure the security of your system, it is advisable to perform a thorough scan using reputable antivirus software. If the scan identifies the file as malicious, take immediate action to remove it from your system. Additionally, make sure to download software updates and drivers directly from the official ASUS website to avoid inadvertently downloading malware from unofficial or untrustworthy sources.
Keeping your antivirus software up to date and practicing safe browsing habits can also help prevent the installation of malicious software on your system.
Asusupdate.exe – Extremely high CPU/GPU use
Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their operations. In that case, you will probably struggle even to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is often utilized on 100%. It is not as important as CPU for system work, so Asusupdate.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It sometimes can lead to sad consequences.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end computer is needed. Exactly, the GPU is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of dozens of GPUs to conduct their activity effectively. Such systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters who make profit via this coin miner use someones’ PCs instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.1
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Asusupdate.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
Initially, Asusupdate.exe malware makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, because all CPU power is consumed by a virus. That malware does not care for your necessities, all it focuses on is generating income on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely struggle with exceptionally sluggish efficiency. Pages will open for years, any type of logins will take about a minute – just a horror story for a person that works online.
Asusupdate.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Asusupdate.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Aahmsvc.exe, P508poweragent.exe, Mbamtray.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Asusupdate.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a solitary unpleasant activity coin miners perform to your system. Asusupdate.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To perform all malicious functions correctly, it wrecks the security features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to prevent recognition. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a number of new entries – they are added by this coin miner to connect your system to a malicious cryptomining network. All these changes shall be thrown back to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your system’s performance, running at peak level for a long period of time may trigger damage to your device and raise electricity expenses. PC elements are created to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only when they are in a good shape.
Small and covered CPU fan is hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily cracked if affected while running, for instance, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Asusupdate.exe virus can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure2. Graphic cards are also prone to have increased wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when the performance of your GPU plunges 20-30% only after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Asusupdate.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 one of the most common malicious programs through “severe” viruses. Adware frequently acts as a carrier for Asusupdate.exe malware injection: it demonstrates you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that approximately 30% of all malware spread through the malicious banners are coin miners – and Asusupdate.exe is right with them.
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
An additional way you could get this thing on your PC is by downloading it from the dubious web page as a part of a program. People that spread hacked versions of well-known programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to earn money. Thus, there is a very big lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and acquire a coin for every setup. Prior to blaming these people for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid buying the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus software and new parts for your PC.
How to remove the Asusupdate.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 needs making use of specific program. Proper anti-malware program must have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage also on weak PCs. On top of that, it is better to have proactive protection in your security solution – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these functions for various factors. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that reason. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb choice that fits each of the mentioned features.3
Prior to the malware removal, it is important to reboot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Asusupdate.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU capacity, it is needed 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 computer is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, just like the majority of non-critical Windows components, are not started with the system start. That allows you to clean the PC without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Asusupdate.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.
What is Asusupdate.exe?
Name: Asusupdate.exe
Description: If you have a file named Asusupdate.exe on your system that is not digitally signed by ASUS and is exhibiting suspicious behavior such as consuming high CPU resources, it is highly likely that it is a malicious file and not associated with ASUS. In such cases, it is crucial to take immediate action to remove the file from your system using reputable antivirus software and to perform a thorough scan to ensure the security of your computer.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Trojan
User Review
( votes)References
- Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
- About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
- Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
