Conhost_ns.exe executable file is related to a malicious program that can correctly be recognized as a coin miner virus. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer almost nonfunctional due to high CPU use.
What is Conhost_ns.exe process?
Conhost_ns.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have specified before, Conhost_ns.exe is a coin miner trojan virus. The names of the executive file can be diverse, but the consequences are generally the identical. Since coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware capacity of your desktop to perform this procedure. This malware does not care about the fact that you may need to use your machine for other tasks – it will always consume over 80% of your CPU power.
Conhost_ns.exe – Really high CPU/GPU use
Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners also make use of GPU power for their tasks. In that case, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is usually utilized on 100%. It is not as critical as processor for system work, so Conhost_ns.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use all of it. It often can lead to sad consequences.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining term means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a high-end computer is required. Exactly, the graphic card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of graphic cards to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “usual” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Fraudsters who make profit via this coin miner use someones’ computers instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Conhost_ns.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
First, Conhost_ns.exe malware makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, as all CPU power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your needs, 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 extremely slow performance. Pages can open for years, any type of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person who works online.
Conhost_ns.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Conhost_ns.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Mmm1.exe, Etece.exe, Etehe.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Conhost_ns.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a solitary unpleasant thing coin miners perform to your system. Conhost_ns.exe coin miner likewise deals damage to your OS. To conduct all malevolent operations correctly, it wrecks the protection mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to avoid detection. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a lot of new notes – they are brought in by this trojan miner to connect your PC to a malicious cryptomining network. All these adjustments shall be gone back to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your PC’s performance, running at peak level for a long period of time can cause damage to your machine and raise electricity expenses. Hardware components 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 covered CPU fan is hard to crack. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily cracked if affected while working, for instance, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the very high load caused by Conhost_ns.exe malware can easily lead to graphic card failure3. Video cards are also tend to have very fast wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely an unwanted case when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Conhost_ns.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 among “serious” viruses. Adware often acts as a carrier for Conhost_ns.exe malware injection: it demonstrates you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” may belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that about 30% of all malware spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Conhost_ns.exe is just with them.4
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 unreliable 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 earn money. Therefore, there is a very big lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for every installation. Prior to blaming these people for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid paying for the program in such a way? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus program and new parts for your PC.
How to remove the Conhost_ns.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 needs the use of specific software. Proper security tool must have high capability at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to create no problems with utilization even on weak computers. Additionally, it is recommended to have proactive security in your security tool – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these features for various reasons. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that goal. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb choice that fits each of the specified qualities.5
Before the virus removal, it is important to reboot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Conhost_ns.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU power, 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 PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party programs, just like 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 CPU usage of the coin miner.
Remove Conhost_ns.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 Conhost_ns.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Conhost_ns.exe
Description: The Conhost_ns.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Conhost_ns.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.
