Host.exe process belongs to a malevolent program that can properly be identified as a coin miner virus. That malware form uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, primarily – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your computer pretty much unusable because of high CPU usage.
What is Host.exe process?
Host.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
Host.exe – Extremely high CPU and GPU usage
Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their tasks. In that situation, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as essential as processor for system work, so Host.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It often may cause bad effects.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Host.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, Host.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 making money on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely struggle with extremely sluggish efficiency. Pages can open for years, any kind of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person that does a job online.
Host.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Host.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Fmcud.exe, Eu.exe, Service5.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Host.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a solitary negative activity coin miners perform to your personal computer. Host.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your operating system. To carry out all malevolent functions effectively, it ruins the security features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to avoid detection. If you open 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 mining network. All these adjustments shall be thrown back to the original in the process of system recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides making your computer slow, running at peak level for a long period of time may trigger damage to your device as well as raise electricity bills. Hardware elements are created to easily get along with high load, but they are good with it only when they are in a good shape.
Compact and covered processor cooling system is not very easy to damage. Meanwhile, graphic cards have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily cracked if affected while running, for instance, by the user much earlier before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Host.exe miner can easily lead to GPU failure3. GPUs are also prone to have fast wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is surely an undesirable case when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% just after 1-2 weeks of being used in such a way.
How did I get Host.exe coin miner virus?
Coin miners are spread through different ways, but their main sources are malicious banners and programs from dubious sources
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
An additional way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the unreliable website as a part of a program. Users that spread hacked versions of well-known programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to get paid. Thus, there is a very big lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and acquire a coin for each installation. Before criticizing these individuals for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid purchasing the program in this manner? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger figure for antivirus program and new parts for your computer.
How to remove the Host.exe miner from my PC?
The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software
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 apps, along with the majority of non-crucial operating system 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.
References
- Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
- About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
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