Dtsapo3service.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Dtsapo3service.exe is a file associated with DTS Audio Processing, a software package developed by DTS, Inc. The file is signed by DTS, Inc., which means that the file has been digitally signed and verified by the company. Digital signatures are used to authenticate the identity of the software publisher and ensure that the software has not been tampered with or modified since it was signed. In the case of Dtsapo3service.exe, the digital signature indicates that the file is a legitimate component of the DTS Audio Processing software and has not been tampered with. If file Dtsapo3service.exe is not signed – it is a coin miner virus
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What is Dtsapo3service.exe process?

Dtsapo3service.exe is a file associated with DTS Audio Processing or it can be created by coin miner virus

As I have mentioned earlier, Dtsapo3service.exe can be a coin miner virus. The names of the executive file may be diverse, but the consequences are usually the same. Since coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware power of your personal computer to perform this operation. This malware does not pay attention to the fact that you may want to use your computer for other tasks – it will continuously take over 80% of your processor power.

Dtsapo3service.exe Windows Process

Dtsapo3service.exe – Extremely high CPU and GPU usage

Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners additionally utilize GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually utilized on 100%. It is not as critical as a processor for system work, so Dtsapo3service.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It sometimes may cause bad consequences.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining is a term that means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of any project based on blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end machine is required. Exactly, the GPU is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of video cards to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ PCs instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.1

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 Dtsapo3service.exe miner?

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

    First, Dtsapo3service.exe malware makes your system overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, because all processor power is used by a malware. That malware does not care for your necessities, all it focuses on is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely struggle with extremely slow performance. Pages will open up for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a horror story for a person that works online.

    Dtsapo3service.exe Technical Summary.

    File Name Dtsapo3service.exe
    Type Trojan Coin Miner
    Detection Name Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution Method Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behavior Atkexcomsvc.exe, Asusfancontrolservice.exe, Gamesdk.exe
    Removal Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Dtsapo3service.exe removal.

    “Visible” damage is not a solitary negative thing coin miners perform to your personal computer. Dtsapo3service.exe coin miner likewise deals damage to your OS. To complete all malevolent operations correctly, it ruins the protection mechanisms 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 number of new entries – they are added by this trojan miner to connect your system to a malicious mining network. All these changes are about to be thrown back to the original in the process of computer recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides decreasing your PC’s performance, running at peak power for a long period of time can cause damage to your device as well as increase power bills. Hardware components are designed to easily deal with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.

    Tiny and well-protected processor cooling system is quite hard to broke. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily cracked if touched while working, for instance, by the user much before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Dtsapo3service.exe miner can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure2. Video cards are also tend to have fast wearing when utilized for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted case when the performance of your graphic card decreases on 20-30% just after several weeks of being used in such a way.

    How did I get Dtsapo3service.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 “major” malware. Adware often works as a carrier for Dtsapo3service.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which contain a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that about 30% of all malware spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Dtsapo3service.exe is just among them.3

    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    One more way you could get this thing on your PC is by downloading it from the unreliable website as a part of a program. People that spread hacked versions of well-known programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to earn money. Hence, there is a very big temptation to add in malware to the final package of the hacked app and get a coin for every setup. Prior to criticizing these people for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus program and new parts for your computer.

    How to remove the Dtsapo3service.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 using special program. Appropriate security tool must have high capability at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization even on weak computers. Additionally, it is better to have proactive protection in your protection solution – to stop the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these features for various reasons. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that goal. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is an ideal option that fits all of the discussed qualities.4

    Before the virus removal, it is important to boot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Dtsapo3service.exe miner consumes 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 PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, along with the majority of non-critical Windows components, are not launched with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the system without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Dtsapo3service.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 Dtsapo3service.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Dtsapo3service.exe

    Description: The Dtsapo3service.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Dtsapo3service.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. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
    2. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
    3. Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
    4. 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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