Developer_mode.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Developer_mode.exe executable file comes from a malevolent application that can accurately be defined as a coin miner virus. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your computer almost unfunctional as a result of high CPU use.
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What is Developer_mode.exe process?

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

As I have mentioned in the previous paragraph, Developer_mode.exe is a coin miner trojan virus. The names of the executive file may be diverse, however, the consequences are usually the identical. Because coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all available hardware capacity of your PC to conduct this operation. This virus does not care about the fact that you may need to make use of your computer for other activities – it will consistently use over 80% of your CPU power.

Developer_mode.exe Windows Process

Developer_mode.exe – Extremely high CPU/GPU usage

Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners additionally use GPU power for their operations. In that case, you will struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as vital as CPU for system work, so Developer_mode.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It sometimes may cause unhappy effects.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Crypto mining means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral element of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful machine is required. Exactly, the graphic card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of GPUs to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “normal” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Crooks who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ computers instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

  • Your device overheats (system unit/laptop body is very hot)
  • You are not able to open your apps or they are opening for ages
  • Unknown process is running in the background and consumes your PC resources
  • Windows Defender does not respond
  • How dangerous is the Developer_mode.exe miner?

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

    Initially, Developer_mode.exe virus makes your system 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 needs, all it pays attention to is generating income on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely struggle with exceptionally sluggish performance. Pages will open up for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person that works online.

    Developer_mode.exe Technical Summary.

    File NameDeveloper_mode.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 Developer_mode.exe removal.

    “Visible” damage is not a single unpleasant activity coin miners do to your personal computer. Developer_mode.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To perform all malevolent operations correctly, it ruins the protection 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 ton of new notes – they are added by this trojan miner to connect your computer to a malicious mining network. All these changes are about to be reverted to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides slowing down your PC, running at peak level for a long period of time can trigger damage to your device as well as raise electricity expenses. PC elements are designed to easily deal with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.

    Little and well-protected processor cooling system is not very easy to broke. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if touched while spinning, for example, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Developer_mode.exe malware can easily lead to GPU failure3. GPUs are also prone to have very fast wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely a bad case when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being used in such a way.

    How did I get Developer_mode.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 frequently acts as a carrier for Developer_mode.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which contain a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – 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 Developer_mode.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 PC is by downloading it from the suspicious site as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions of well-known programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to earn money. Thus, there is a huge temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for each installation. Prior to criticizing these guys for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing 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 as well as new parts for your PC.

    How to remove the Developer_mode.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 needs making use of specific software. Effective anti-malware program should have high performance at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage also on weak systems. On top of that, it is recommended to have proactive security in your protection solution – to prevent the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these functions for various reasons. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb option that fits all of the discussed characteristics.5

    Prior to the malware removal, it is important to reboot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Developer_mode.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 computer is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, along with the majority of non-critical system components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the system without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Developer_mode.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 Developer_mode.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Developer_mode.exe

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