Googledrivefs.exe is an executable file associated with Google Drive File Stream. Google Drive File Stream is a desktop application provided by Google that allows users to access their Google Drive files directly from their computer without taking up local storage space.
Googledrivefs.exe is the main process responsible for running Google Drive File Stream on your computer. It is typically located in the installation directory of the application. When you launch Google Drive File Stream, googledrivefs.exe is initiated, and it runs in the background, enabling you to access and manage your Google Drive files seamlessly.
This executable file is essential for the proper functioning of Google Drive File Stream. It manages the synchronization between your local files and the files stored on your Google Drive account. It also handles file transfers, updates, and other related tasks to ensure a smooth user experience.
It’s worth noting that googledrivefs.exe is a legitimate file associated with the official Google Drive File Stream application. However, like any executable file, it’s essential to ensure that you have obtained it from a trusted source and have installed it securely to prevent any potential security risks.
It’s important to note that malicious actors can sometimes disguise malware by using file names that resemble legitimate processes or applications. Therefore, it’s always a good practice to ensure that you have obtained the file from a trusted source and that your computer’s security software is up to date to protect against potential threats. If you suspect any unusual behavior related to Googledrivefs.exe or any other file, it’s recommended to run a security scan using reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to identify and remove any potential threats.
What is Googledrivefs.exe process?
Googledrivefs.exe is an executable file associated with Google Drive File Stream
It is possible for malicious actors to disguise malware with names similar to legitimate processes or files, including Googledrivefs.exe. If you suspect that the Googledrivefs.exe file on your system is involved in miner activity or any malicious behavior, it is crucial to investigate further and take appropriate action.
I would recommend performing a thorough scan of your system using reputable antivirus or anti-malware software to detect and remove any potential threats. Additionally, ensure that you have obtained the Googledrivefs.exe file from a trusted source and that your computer’s security software is up to date to help protect against any potential risks.
Googledrivefs.exe – Really high CPU/GPU usage
Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners also make use of GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is usually utilized on 100%. It is not as crucial as CPU for system work, so Googledrivefs.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use all of it. It sometimes can cause unhappy consequences.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining term means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful computer is required. Exactly, the video card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms are usually constructed of dozens of GPUs to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “normal” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters who make profit via this coin miner use someones’ computers instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.1
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Googledrivefs.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, Googledrivefs.exe virus makes your system overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, because all processor power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your necessities, all it focuses on is making money on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely suffer from incredibly sluggish efficiency. Pages can open up for years, any sort of logins will take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person who works online.
Googledrivefs.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Googledrivefs.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Vmwp.exe, Hvsirdpclient.exe, Rtkbtmanserv.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Googledrivefs.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a single bad activity coin miners do to your personal computer. Googledrivefs.exe coin miner also deals damage to your OS. To perform all malicious functions correctly, it wrecks the protection mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent detection. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new notes – they are added by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments shall be thrown back to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your system’s performance, running at peak power for long times can trigger damage to your machine and increase electricity expenses. PC components are designed to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.
Little and covered CPU cooling system is quite hard to crack. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if affected while running, for instance, by the user much before the virus injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by Googledrivefs.exe can easily lead to graphic card failure2. GPUs are also tend to have increased wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely a bad situation when your GPU’s performance decreases on 20-30% just after several weeks of being used in such a way.
How did I get Googledrivefs.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” viruses. Adware sometimes serves as a carrier for Googledrivefs.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which contain a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that about 30% of all malware spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Googledrivefs.exe is just with them.3
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 untrustworthy web page as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions of favored programs (which do not need the license key) have small chances to earn money. Therefore, there is a huge lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and acquire a coin for each installation. Prior to blaming these individuals 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 at once than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus software as well as new parts for your computer.
How to remove the Googledrivefs.exe miner from my PC?
The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software
Getting rid of such a virus requires using special tool. Proper security tool must have high performance at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization even on weak computers. On top of that, it is recommended to have on-run security in your protection solution – to stop the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these functions for different reasons. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is an ideal option that fits all of the specified features.4
Before the virus removal, it is important to reboot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Googledrivefs.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU 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.
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 PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party programs, just like the majority of non-crucial operating system components, are not started with the system start. That allows you to clean the system without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Googledrivefs.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 Googledrivefs.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Googledrivefs.exe
Description: The Googledrivefs.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Googledrivefs.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
- 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.
