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
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
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
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
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.
References
- Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
- About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
Leave a Comment