Dbxsvc.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Dbxsvc.exe is a legitimate file that is part of the Dropbox software. Usually, this file does not cause problems for the system or the user. However, malware can masquerade as this file. In such cases, the file starts consuming CPU resources excessively, the device runs slower, get hotter, and the coolers get noisier. Thus the malware reveals its true nature.

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.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Gridinsoft Anti-Malware 6-day trial available.
EULA | Privacy Policy | 10% Off Coupon

What is Dbxsvc.exe process?

As I have actually pointed out previously, Dbxsvc.exe is a legitimate file. Dropbox is a cloud storage service that allows you to store and synchronize files between your computer and the cloud. Dbxsvc.exe is a legitimate file that is a part of the Dropbox software. This means the file is a Windows service that runs in the background and manages the Dropbox sync process. By default file is located in the C:\Program Files\Dropbox\ folder and is either a 32-bit or 64-bit executable file, depending on your version of Windows. Dropbox signs the file, so it is a legitimate file from a trusted source. However, some malware programs may disguise themselves as Dbxsvc.exe.

Dbxsvc.exe – Very high CPU/GPU usage

If you notice that a file is consuming too many system resources (e.g., it is in a different location than the one mentioned above or consumes more than 80% of the CPU), there is a good chance that it is malware like a crypto-miner. Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their tasks. In that case, you will probably struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as crucial as CPU for system work, so Dbxsvc.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and use all of it. It often may result in sad consequences.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining term means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful machine is needed. Exactly, the GPU is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of dozens of GPUs to conduct their activity effectively. Such systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Crooks who make profit via this coin miner use someones’ hardware instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

• Extremely bad performance
• CPU/GPU cooler fan creates a lot of noise
• High temperature of the device (for laptops)
• 80-90% consumption of CPU/GPU resources by an unknown process
• Microsoft Defender is not working

How dangerous is the Dbxsvc.exe miner?

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

First of all, Dbxsvc.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, because all CPU power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your demands, 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 struggle with extremely slow performance. Pages can open for years, any sort of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person who works online.

Dbxsvc.exe Technical Summary.

“Visible” damage is not a single unpleasant thing coin miners perform to your personal computer. Dbxsvc.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your OS. To execute all malevolent functions effectively, it ruins the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to prevent detection. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a ton of new entries – they are brought in by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious cryptomining network. All these changes shall be reverted to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.

Hardware effects of coin miner activity

Besides making your computer slow, running at peak level for a long period of time may trigger damage to your device and increase electricity expenses. PC components are created to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.

Compact and well-protected CPU cooling system is not very easy to broke. 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 earlier before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Dbxsvc.exe malware can easily lead to graphic card failure¹. GPUs are also tend to have very fast wearing when used for crypto mining. It is likely a bad case when the performance of your graphic card plunges 20-30% only after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.

How did I get Dbxsvc.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 common malicious programs through “severe” viruses. Adware frequently serves as a carrier for Dbxsvc.exe malware infiltration: it demonstrates you the banners, which contain a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that around 30% of all malware spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Dbxsvc.exe is just one of them.

The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

One more way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the untrustworthy site as a part of a program. People that spread hacked versions of popular programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to get paid. Hence, there is a very big lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for each installation. Before blaming these people for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid paying for the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus software and new parts for your computer.

How to remove the Dbxsvc.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 demands the use of special app. Effective anti-malware program should have high efficiency at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage even on weak systems. Furthermore, it is better to have proactive protection in your protection solution – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these features for various reasons. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that goal. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is an ideal option that fits all of the mentioned characteristics.²

Before the malware removal, it is important to reboot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Dbxsvc.exe miner takes a lot of processor capacity, 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 PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, 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 Dbxsvc.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.

1. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
2. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

Spanish Turkish