Default.exe executable file comes from a malicious application that can correctly be identified as a coin miner trojan. That malware form utilizes your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your system pretty much unfunctional due to high CPU use.
What is Default.exe process?
Default.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have actually mentioned previously, Default.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the executive file can be different, however, the impacts are usually the same. Since coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they use all possible hardware power of your desktop to run this process. This virus does not take note of the fact that you may need to make use of your device for other tasks – it will consistently consume over 80% of your CPU power.
Default.exe – Very high CPU and GPU usage
Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally use GPU power for their operations. In that instance, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as critical as processor for system work, so Default.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It sometimes can result in sad consequences.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining is a term that means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful machine is required. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms usually consist of dozens of video cards to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Fraudsters who make profit via this coin miner use someones’ PCs instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Default.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
First off, Default.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, because all processor power is consumed by a virus. That malware does not care for your wants, all it pays attention to is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely experience exceptionally sluggish performance. Pages will open for years, any sort of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person who works online.
Default.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Default.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | St.exe, Xxx.exe, X.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Default.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a solitary negative activity coin miners do to your PC. Default.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your OS. To conduct all malevolent operations effectively, it wrecks the security components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to prevent recognition. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a lot of new notes – they are added by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious cryptomining network. All these adjustments shall be thrown back to the initial state in the process of computer recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides slowing down your PC, running at peak power for long times may cause damage to your device as well as raise power bills. Hardware components are created to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.
Compact and well-protected CPU fan is quite hard to damage. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if affected while spinning, for example, by the user much before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Default.exe malware can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. GPUs are also tend to have very fast wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when the performance of your video card plunges 20-30% only after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Default.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 one of the most prevalent malicious programs through “serious” viruses. Adware sometimes acts as a carrier for Default.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which contain 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 around 30% of all malware spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Default.exe is just with them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
Another way you could get this item on your PC is by downloading it from the suspicious site as a part of a program. People that spread hacked variants of popular programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to make money. Hence, there is a huge temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for every setup. Prior to blaming these people for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus software as well as new parts for your desktop.
How to remove the Default.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 demands making use of specific app. Proper security tool must have high efficiency at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage also on weak PCs. Additionally, it is recommended to have on-run security in your security solution – to stop the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender does not have these features for different reasons. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb choice that fits all of the mentioned characteristics.5
Before the malware removal, it is important to reboot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Default.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 system is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, just like the majority of non-crucial Windows components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the PC without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Default.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 Default.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Default.exe
Description: The Default.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Default.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.
