Fcpaws.exe executable file belongs to a malevolent program that can properly be defined as a coin miner trojan virus. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, generally – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your computer almost nonfunctional as a result of high CPU usage.
What is Fcpaws.exe process?
Fcpaws.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have actually mentioned in the previous paragraph, Fcpaws.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the executive file can be diverse, but the impacts are almost always the same. Considering that coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware capacity of your PC to conduct this operation. This virus does not pay attention to the fact that you probably want to make use of your machine for other tasks – it will continuously consume over 80% of your CPU power.
Fcpaws.exe – Really 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 struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as vital as processor for system work, so Fcpaws.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It sometimes can cause sad effects.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Cryptocurrency mining means the operation of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic part of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a high-end machine is needed. Exactly, the GPU is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of GPUs to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “normal” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. 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
How dangerous is the Fcpaws.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, Fcpaws.exe virus makes your system overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, because all processor power is used by a malware. That malware does not care for your needs, all it pays attention to is making money on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely suffer from extremely slow efficiency. Pages will open for years, any kind of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person that does a job online.
Fcpaws.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Fcpaws.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Nwjs.exe, Comime.exe, Vlabtk.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Fcpaws.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a single negative activity coin miners perform to your computer. Fcpaws.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your operating system. To perform all malicious functions properly, it wrecks the security components 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 ton of new entries – they are brought in by this trojan miner to connect your system to a malicious cryptomining network. All these adjustments shall be gone back to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides slowing down your computer, running at peak level for long times may cause damage to your device as well as raise electricity expenses. PC elements are designed to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.
Tiny and well-protected processor fan is not very easy to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if touched while running, for instance, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Fcpaws.exe virus can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. Video cards are also tend to have increased wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is surely an undesirable situation when the performance of your graphic card plunges 20-30% just after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Fcpaws.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 through “major” malware. Adware often acts as a carrier for Fcpaws.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, 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 with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Fcpaws.exe is just among them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
Another way you could get this thing on your computer is by downloading it from the dubious web page 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 make money. Therefore, there is a huge lure to add in malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for each installation. Before criticizing these individuals for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid paying for the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus software and new parts for your PC.
How to remove the Fcpaws.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 demands making use of specific tool. Proper anti-malware program must have high efficiency at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage even on weak PCs. Furthermore, it is recommended to have on-run protection in your protection solution – to halt the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender does not have these elements for different reasons. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that reason. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a perfect option that fits all of the mentioned features.5
Prior to the malware removal, it is important to reboot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Fcpaws.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU capacity, 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.
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.
When your computer is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, just like the majority of non-crucial Windows components, are not started with the system start. That allows you to clean the PC without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Fcpaws.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.
After activating your free trial, start Full scan. It may last up to 10 minutes. You may use the PC as usual.
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.
Now, you are good to go. Reboot your PC into a normal Windows mode and use just as there was nothing malicious.
Remove Fcpaws.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Fcpaws.exe
Description: The Fcpaws.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Fcpaws.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
User Review
( votes)References
- Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
- Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
- About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
- Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
- Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
