Default_jpg.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Default_jpg.exe executable file belongs to a malicious program that can correctly be recognized as a coin miner trojan. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your computer almost unusable due to high CPU usage.
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What is Default_jpg.exe process?

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

As I have actually specified earlier, Default_jpg.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the .exe file may be different, however, the effects are usually the identical. Considering that coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all available hardware power of your desktop to perform this procedure. This malware does not care about the fact that you may want to make use of your device for other activities – it will always use over 80% of your CPU power.

Default_jpg.exe Windows Process

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

Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners also use GPU power for their tasks. In that instance, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as critical as processor for system work, so Default_jpg.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It often can cause bad effects.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic part of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end PC is needed. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of video cards to conduct their activity effectively. Such systems are not usable for “normal” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Fraudsters who make profit 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

  • 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 Default_jpg.exe miner?

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

    First, Default_jpg.exe malware makes your system overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, since all processor power is used by a malware. That malware does not care for your necessities, all it pays attention to is making money on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely suffer from exceptionally sluggish performance. Pages can open up for years, any kind of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person that does a job online.

    Default_jpg.exe Technical Summary.

    File NameDefault_jpg.exe
    TypeTrojan Coin Miner
    Detection NameTrojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution MethodSoftware bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behaviorOfficeclicktorun.exe, Gtavmod.exe, Dog.exe
    RemovalDownload and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Default_jpg.exe removal.

    “Visible” harm is not a solitary bad activity coin miners do to your system. Default_jpg.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your operating system. To complete all malevolent functions successfully, it ruins the security features 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 load of new entries – they are added by this coin miner to connect your computer to a malicious cryptomining network. All these changes shall be thrown back to the initial state in the process of computer recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides decreasing your system’s performance, running at peak power for long times can trigger damage to your device as well as increase power bills. PC components are designed to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.

    Small and well-protected processor cooling system is not very easy to damage. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke if affected while spinning, for example, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Default_jpg.exe malware can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. Graphic cards are also tend to have very fast wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely a bad case when the performance of your GPU decreases on 20-30% just after 1-2 weeks of being used in such a way.

    How did I get Default_jpg.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 common malicious programs among “serious” malware. Adware sometimes serves as a carrier for Default_jpg.exe malware injection: it demonstrates you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that about 30% of all viruses spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Default_jpg.exe is right 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 untrustworthy website as a part of a program. People that spread hacked variants of favored programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to get paid. Therefore, there is a very big temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for every setup. Prior to blaming these guys for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid paying for the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus program and new parts for your PC.

    How to remove the Default_jpg.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 demands using specific program. Effective anti-malware program must have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage also on weak PCs. Furthermore, it is recommended to have proactive security in your protection solution – to halt the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these functions for various reasons. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great option 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 Default_jpg.exe miner takes a lot of processor power, it is needed 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.

    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 system is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, just like the majority of non-crucial Windows components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the computer without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Default_jpg.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 Default_jpg.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Default_jpg.exe

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