-gui.exe executable file is related to a harmful application that can accurately be identified as a coin miner virus. That malware form utilizes your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your system pretty much unusable because of high CPU use.
What is -gui.exe process?
-gui.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have pointed out in the previous paragraph, -gui.exe is a coin miner virus. The names of the executive file can be different, but the impacts are generally the identical. Considering that coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they use all possible hardware capacity of your desktop to perform this process. This malware does not take note of the fact that you probably want to use your computer for other activities – it will always consume over 80% of your processor power.
-gui.exe – Really high CPU as well as GPU use
Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners additionally utilize GPU power for their tasks. In that instance, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually utilized on 100%. It is not as crucial as processor for system work, so -gui.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It sometimes can result in sad consequences.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral element of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end PC is needed. 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 conduct their activity effectively. Such systems are not usable for “usual” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ computers instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the -gui.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
Firstly, -gui.exe virus makes your system overloaded. It is not able to run your applications anymore, since all CPU 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 struggle with incredibly sluggish efficiency. Pages will open for years, any type of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person who does a job online.
-gui.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | -gui.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Maxim.exe, Mobile.exe, Markets.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic -gui.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a solitary unpleasant activity coin miners do to your PC. -gui.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your OS. To carry out all malevolent operations successfully, 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 notes – they are brought in by this trojan 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 system recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your computer’s performance, performing at peak level for long times may trigger damage to your device as well as raise power costs. Hardware elements are designed to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only when they are in a good shape.
Little and well-protected processor fan is quite hard to crack. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if touched while running, for instance, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by -gui.exe malware can easily lead to GPU failure3. Video cards are also tend to have fast wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when the performance of your graphic card decreases on 20-30% only after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get -gui.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 the most common malevolent programs among “severe” viruses. Adware often acts as a carrier for -gui.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that approximately 30% of all viruses spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and -gui.exe is just with them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
Another way you could get this thing on your PC is by downloading it from the suspicious web page as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions 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 in malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for every setup. Before criticizing these people for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid buying 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 -gui.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 needs using special app. Proper antivirus should have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with utilization even on weak PCs. Additionally, it is recommended to have proactive security in your security solution – to halt the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these features for different factors. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is an ideal option that fits each of the mentioned characteristics.5
Prior to the malware removal, it is important to boot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since -gui.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU power, it is needed 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 programs, along with the majority of non-crucial Windows components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the computer without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove -gui.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 -gui.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: -gui.exe
Description: The -gui.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This -gui.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.
