Is CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe Virus?

If you have come across the CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe file on your Windows system, you might be wondering about its purpose and whether it is a virus. The CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe file is not a virus but rather a legitimate component associated with the CefSharp framework. CefSharp is a .NET wrapper for the Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF), which enables developers to embed a Chromium-based web browser into their applications.

In some cases, you may experience high CPU usage related to the CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe process. This issue can occur due to various reasons, such as incompatible browser extensions, outdated software, or conflicts with other applications. To address the CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe high CPU issue, you can try the following steps:

1. Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary issues and reduce CPU usage.
2. Update your applications: Ensure that your web browser, as well as any associated applications using the CefSharp framework, are up to date. Outdated software can cause compatibility issues and high CPU usage.
3. Disable or remove problematic browser extensions: Certain browser extensions can conflict with the CefSharp framework, leading to increased CPU usage. Disable or remove any extensions that you suspect might be causing the issue.
4. Scan for malware: Perform a thorough scan of your system using reliable antivirus or anti-malware software to check for any potential malware infections that could be affecting CPU performance.
5. Reinstall affected applications: If the problem persists, consider reinstalling the applications using the CefSharp framework to ensure a clean installation.
6. Seek technical support: If you are unable to resolve the issue on your own, it may be beneficial to reach out to the software developers or seek assistance from technical support forums.

Remember, it’s important to exercise caution when dealing with any system files, and if you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a file or encountering persistent issues, consulting a professional or utilizing reputable security software is recommended.

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer’s work, the proverb “Forewarned is forearmed” describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.

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What is Cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe process?

While the CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe file itself is not a virus, it is worth noting that certain malicious actors may exploit legitimate processes or files for their nefarious activities. In some cases, cybercriminals have been known to use legitimate processes like CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe for cryptojacking, which is the unauthorized use of computer resources to mine cryptocurrencies without the user’s consent.

If you suspect that the CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe file on your system is involved in cryptocurrency mining without your knowledge or permission, it could be an indication of malware or a compromised version of the file. In such cases, it is recommended to perform a thorough scan of your system using reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to detect and remove any potential threats.

It’s worth mentioning that the legitimate CefSharp framework itself is not designed for mining cryptocurrencies. However, if the file is running from an unusual or unauthorized location, or if it is consuming an unusually high amount of system resources, it could be a sign of malicious activity. Therefore, it is important to stay vigilant, keep your system and security software up to date, and be cautious when downloading and installing applications or files from untrusted sources.

Cefsharp.browsersubprocess.exe – Extremely high CPU and GPU usage

However, the malware is not limited to excessive consumption of CPU resources alone. In addition to CPU consumption, some miners use the power of the GPU. Since it is often the CPU, not the video adapter, that is important for the system’s operation, the miner usually loads the GPU to 100%. Nevertheless, it won’t be easy to see even the cursor movement in this case. This can sometimes lead to irreversible consequences, such as overheating and video adapter failure.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Crypto mining is a term that means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end desktop is required. Exactly, the graphic card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of GPUs to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “usual” 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 CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe?

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

Initially, CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, as all processor power is used by a malware. That malware does not care for your wants, all it focuses on is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely experience exceptionally slow performance. Pages can open for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person that works online.

CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe Technical Summary.

“Visible” damage is not a solitary negative thing coin miners do to your personal computer. CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your OS. To execute all malicious functions correctly, it wrecks the security features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to avoid recognition. 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 computer to a malicious mining network. All these changes are about to be gone back to the original in the process of PC recovery.

Hardware effects of coin miner activity

Besides slowing down your computer, running at peak power for long times may cause damage to your device and increase power expenses. Hardware elements are designed to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only when they are in a good shape.

Tiny and covered CPU cooling system is not very easy to broke. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke if touched while working, for instance, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe miner can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure. Video cards are also tend to have increased wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely a bad situation when the performance of your video card decreases on 20-30% just after several weeks of being used in such a way.

How did I get CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.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 widespread malicious programs among “severe” malware. Adware often acts as a carrier for CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe malware injection: it demonstrates you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that about 30% of all malware spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe is right one of them.²

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 web page as a part of a program. People who spread hacked versions of popular programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to make money. Hence, there is a very big lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and get a coin for every setup. Before blaming these people for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid buying the program in such a way? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus software and new parts for your PC.

How to remove the CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe miner from my PC?

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

Getting rid of such a virus demands making use of specific app. Appropriate antivirus must have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage even on weak PCs. Furthermore, it is better to have on-run protection in your protection solution – to prevent the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these features for various factors. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great option that fits all of the specified characteristics.³

Before the virus removal, it is important to reboot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe process takes a lot of CPU power, 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.

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 applications, along with the majority of non-crucial operating system components, are not launched with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the PC without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.

Remove CefSharp.BrowserSubprocess.exe virus

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.

1. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
2. Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
3. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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