Cheats_loader.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Cheats_loader.exe executable file belongs to a malevolent program that can accurately be identified as a coin miner virus. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, primarily – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your computer roughly nonfunctional as a result of high CPU utilization.
GridinSoft Anti-Malware Review
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.
Gridinsoft Anti-Malware 6-day trial available.
EULA | Privacy Policy | 10% Off Coupon
Subscribe to our Telegram channel to be the first to know about news and our exclusive materials on information security.

What is Cheats_loader.exe process?

Cheats_loader.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus

As I have actually mentioned previously, Cheats_loader.exe is a coin miner virus. The names of the .exe file may be different, but the consequences are usually the identical. Since coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware power of your desktop to perform this operation. This malware does not care about the fact that you probably need to use your computer for other tasks – it will constantly use over 80% of your processor power.

Cheats_loader.exe Windows Process

Cheats_loader.exe – Extremely high CPU as well as GPU usage

Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners additionally utilize GPU power for their tasks. In that case, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as important as processor for system work, so Cheats_loader.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and use all of it. It sometimes may cause sad consequences.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Crypto mining is a term that means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral element of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end machine is required. Exactly, the video card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of graphic cards to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “usual” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Fraudsters who make profit 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

  • Microsoft Defender is stopped;
  • CPU and GPU is loaded at 80-90% exactly after the system start
  • Cooling fans are running at high speed and create a lot of noise
  • A single process in Task Manager consumes all CPU and GPU power
  • How dangerous is the Cheats_loader.exe miner?

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

    First, Cheats_loader.exe virus makes your computer overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, because all processor 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 can open for years, any kind of logins will take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person who does a job online.

    Cheats_loader.exe Technical Summary.

    File Name Cheats_loader.exe
    Type Trojan Coin Miner
    Detection Name Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution Method Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behavior Ie4uinit.exe, Bdeunlock.exe, Bdehdcfg.exe
    Removal Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Cheats_loader.exe removal.

    “Visible” damage is not a solitary unpleasant thing coin miners perform to your personal computer. Cheats_loader.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your operating system. To complete all malevolent functions correctly, it ruins the security features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent detection. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new entries – they are added by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments shall be gone back to the original in the process of system recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides making your computer slow, running at peak power for a long period of time can cause damage to your device as well as raise electricity expenses. PC elements are designed to easily deal 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 damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if touched while running, for instance, by the user much earlier before the virus injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Cheats_loader.exe miner can easily lead to GPU failure3. Video cards are also tend to have fast wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely an undesirable case when the performance of your GPU decreases on 20-30% only after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.

    How did I get Cheats_loader.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 functions as a carrier for Cheats_loader.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any type – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that about 30% of all malware spread through the malicious banners are coin miners – and Cheats_loader.exe is right among them.4

    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    An additional way you could get this item on your PC is by downloading it from the untrustworthy site as a part of a program. People who spread hacked variants of well-known programs (which do not need the license key) have small chances to earn money. Therefore, there is a huge lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and get a coin for every setup. Prior to blaming these guys for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid paying for the program in this manner? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus program and new parts for your computer.

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

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

    Removing such a virus requires using special software. Appropriate security tool should have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage even on weak systems. On top of that, it is recommended to have proactive security in your security tool – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these elements for various factors. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb option that fits each of the mentioned features.5

    Prior to the virus removal, it is important to reboot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Cheats_loader.exe miner consumes 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.

    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 PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, along with the majority of non-crucial system components, are not started with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the PC without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Cheats_loader.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 Cheats_loader.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Cheats_loader.exe

    Description: The Cheats_loader.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Cheats_loader.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

    Sending
    User Review
    3.5 (4 votes)
    Comments Rating 0 (0 reviews)

    References

    1. Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
    2. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
    3. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
    4. Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
    5. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

    Spanish Turkish

    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.

    Leave a Reply

    Sending