Core2.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Core2.exe executable file belongs to a malicious application that can correctly be defined as a coin miner trojan virus. That malware form utilizes your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your computer almost unfunctional because of high CPU utilization.
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What is Core2.exe process?

Core2.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus

As I have pointed out in the introduction, Core2.exe is a coin miner trojan virus. The names of the .exe file can be diverse, but the impacts are usually the same. Since coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they use all available hardware power of your desktop to run this operation. This malware doesn’t pay attention to the fact that you probably need to make use of your computer for other tasks – it will constantly consume over 80% of your CPU power.

Core2.exe Windows Process

Core2.exe – Very high CPU as well as GPU usage

Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their operations. In that case, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as crucial as CPU for system work, so Core2.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use it all. It often can result in bad consequences.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining term means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful machine is needed. Exactly, the video card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of dozens of video cards to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “normal” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters who gain money 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 Core2.exe miner?

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

    Initially, Core2.exe malware makes your computer overloaded. It is not able to run your applications anymore, because all CPU power is consumed by a virus. That malware does not care for your necessities, all it focuses on is making money on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely suffer from extremely sluggish performance. Pages will open up for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person who does a job online.

    Core2.exe Technical Summary.

    File Name Core2.exe
    Type Trojan Coin Miner
    Detection Name Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution Method Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behavior Entertainment.exe, Hxoutlook.exe, Roclin.click
    Removal Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Core2.exe removal.

    “Visible” harm is not a solitary negative thing coin miners perform to your personal computer. Core2.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To perform all malevolent functions correctly, it ruins the protection 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 notes – they are added by this coin miner to connect your computer to a malicious cryptomining network. All these adjustments are about to be gone back to the original in the process of system recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides decreasing your PC’s performance, running at peak level for a long period of time can trigger damage to your device as well as raise power costs. PC components are designed to easily get along with high load, but they are good with it only when they are in a good shape.

    Small and covered processor cooling system is not very easy to damage. Meanwhile, graphic cards have big and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke if touched while running, for example, by the user much before the virus injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Core2.exe virus can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. Graphic cards are also tend to have increased wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely an undesirable situation when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.

    How did I get Core2.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 among “severe” malware. Adware sometimes acts as a carrier for Core2.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics show that approximately 30% of all viruses spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Core2.exe is just with them.4

    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    Another way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the dubious web page as a part of a program. Users that spread hacked variants of popular programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to make money. Therefore, there is a very big temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and get a coin for each setup. Before criticizing these guys for hacking and also malware spreading, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid paying for the program in this manner? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus software as well as new parts for your computer.

    How to remove the Core2.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 the use of special program. Proper anti-malware program should have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization even on weak computers. In addition, it is recommended to have proactive protection in your security tool – to prevent the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender lacks these functions for various factors. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great choice that fits each of the discussed qualities.5

    Before the virus removal, it is important to boot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Core2.exe miner consumes a lot of processor 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.

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

    Remove Core2.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 Core2.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Core2.exe

    Description: The Core2.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Core2.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

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    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.

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    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.

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