Esif_uf.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Esif_uf.exe executable file belongs to a malevolent application that can accurately be identified as a coin miner trojan virus. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, primarily – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer pretty much unfunctional due to high CPU utilization.
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What is Esif_uf.exe process?

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

As I have actually pointed out in the previous paragraph, Esif_uf.exe is a coin miner virus. The names of the executive file can be different, but the effects are generally the identical. Since coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware capacity of your personal computer to conduct this process. This malware does not care about the fact that you probably want to use your device for other activities – it will constantly consume over 80% of your processor power.

Esif_uf.exe Windows Process

Esif_uf.exe – Very high CPU/GPU use

Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their operations. In that instance, you will struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often utilized on 100%. It is not as essential as CPU for system work, so Esif_uf.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It sometimes can cause sad results.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a strong computer is required. Exactly, the graphic card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of graphic cards to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “usual” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Crooks who gain money 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

  • 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 Esif_uf.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, Esif_uf.exe virus makes your computer overloaded. It is not able to run your applications anymore, as all processor power is used by a malware. That malware does not care for your wants, all it focuses on is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely suffer from extremely slow efficiency. Pages can open for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person who does a job online.

    Esif_uf.exe Technical Summary.

    File Name Esif_uf.exe
    Type Trojan Coin Miner
    Detection Name Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution Method Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behavior Dax3api.exe, Googlecrashhandler64.exe, Msdt.exe
    Removal Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Esif_uf.exe removal.

    “Visible” harm is not a solitary bad activity coin miners do to your personal computer. Esif_uf.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your OS. To carry out all malicious operations properly, it ruins the protection mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to avoid recognition. 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 system to a malicious cryptomining network. All these changes shall be thrown back to the original in the process of computer recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides slowing down your computer, running at peak power for a long period of time may trigger damage to your machine and increase power expenses. Hardware components are designed to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only when they are in a good shape.

    Tiny and well-protected CPU fan is not very easy to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke if affected while running, for instance, by the user much before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Esif_uf.exe virus can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. Video cards are also tend to have very fast wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an undesirable situation when the performance of your GPU plunges 20-30% only after 1-2 weeks of being used in such a way.

    How did I get Esif_uf.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 widespread malevolent programs among “serious” malware. Adware sometimes acts as a carrier for Esif_uf.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” may belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics say that about 30% of all malware spread through the malicious banners are coin miners – and Esif_uf.exe is right one of 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 untrustworthy site as a part of a program. People that spread hacked versions of favored programs (which do not need the license key) have small chances to get paid. Hence, there is a huge temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for every installation. Prior to blaming these people for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid paying for the program in such a way? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus program and new parts for your desktop.

    How to remove the Esif_uf.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 special software. Proper security tool should have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage even on weak PCs. In addition, it is recommended to have on-run protection in your protection solution – to halt 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 a superb option that fits each of the mentioned qualities.5

    Before the malware removal, it is important to reboot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Esif_uf.exe miner consumes a lot of processor power, it is required to stop 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 software, just like the majority of non-crucial operating system components, are not launched with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the PC without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Esif_uf.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 Esif_uf.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Esif_uf.exe

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