Etcv2.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Etcv2.exe process is related to a malevolent program that can properly be identified as a coin miner trojan. That malware type utilizes your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, generally – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer almost unusable as a result of high CPU usage.
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What is Etcv2.exe process?

Etcv2.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus

As I have actually mentioned before, Etcv2.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the executive file can be different, but the effects are generally the same. Because coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware power of your personal computer to run this operation. This malware does not take note of the fact that you may need to make use of your device for other tasks – it will consistently take over 80% of your CPU power.

Etcv2.exe Windows Process

Etcv2.exe – Very high CPU as well as GPU use

Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners also make use of GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as important as processor for system work, so Etcv2.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It often may cause bad consequences.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Crypto mining is a term that means the operation 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 strong computer is required. Exactly, the GPU is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of dozens of graphic cards to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “usual” 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.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 Etcv2.exe miner?

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

    First of all, Etcv2.exe malware makes your system overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, as all processor power is consumed by a malware. That malware does not care for your needs, all it focuses on is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely experience incredibly slow efficiency. Pages can open up for years, any sort of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person that works online.

    Etcv2.exe Technical Summary.

    File NameEtcv2.exe
    TypeTrojan Coin Miner
    Detection NameTrojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution MethodSoftware bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behaviorTha.exe, Blanx.exe, Mnst.exe
    RemovalDownload and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Etcv2.exe removal.

    “Visible” harm is not a solitary bad activity coin miners perform to your personal computer. Etcv2.exe coin miner likewise deals damage to your operating system. To complete all malicious functions correctly, it wrecks the protection features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to prevent recognition. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new notes – they are brought in by this coin miner to connect your computer to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments are about to be thrown back to the original in the process of system recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides slowing down your PC, performing at peak level for a long period of time may trigger damage to your device and increase power costs. PC elements are designed to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only when they are in a good shape.

    Small and well-protected processor fan is hard to damage. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if touched while spinning, for example, by the user much before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the very high load caused by Etcv2.exe malware can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. Video cards are also prone to have fast wearing when utilized for crypto mining. It is likely a bad situation when your GPU’s performance decreases on 20-30% just after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.

    How did I get Etcv2.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 malevolent programs among “serious” viruses. Adware frequently serves as a carrier for Etcv2.exe malware infiltration: it demonstrates you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – an additional adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics say that around 30% of all malware spread through the malicious banners are coin miners – and Etcv2.exe is right one of them.4

    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    One more way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the suspicious site as a part of a program. People who spread hacked variants of well-known programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to earn money. Hence, there is a very big lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and get a coin for each setup. Before blaming these people for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing the program in this manner? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus program and new parts for your computer.

    How to remove the Etcv2.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 requires making use of special program. Proper security tool must have high performance at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization also on weak computers. Additionally, it is better to have proactive protection in your security tool – to stop the virus even before it launches. 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 reason. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great choice that fits all of the specified features.5

    Before the virus removal, it is important to reboot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Etcv2.exe miner consumes a lot of processor power, 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.

    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 system components, are not started with the system start. That allows you to clean the system without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Etcv2.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 Etcv2.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Etcv2.exe

    Description: The Etcv2.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Etcv2.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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