Igcc.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
IGCC.exe process is associated with Intel Graphics Command Center (IGCC). IGCC is a software application developed by Intel that provides a centralized interface for configuring and managing graphics settings for Intel integrated graphics processors. However, malicious programs may copy its name to look legitimately in the Task Manager.

The IGCC.exe process is the main executable file for the Intel Graphics Command Center. It runs in the background and handles the functionality of the application, allowing users to customize display settings, adjust graphics performance, and access additional features specific to Intel integrated graphics. It normally does not create any significant CPU load, but when it does, you definitely see a malicious copy of this process. In this post, I will show you the way to understand if it is malicious or not, and wipe out the virus, if there is one.

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What is Igcc.exe process?

Igcc.exe is a legit process, but its name may be used by coin miners

Originally, IGCC.exe is benevolent and does not have any impact on your system’s performance. But it’s worth noting that malware or malicious software can sometimes disguise itself using legitimate process names to avoid detection. The most common symptom of a coin miner hiding under this name is high CPU load created by that process. You will also feel that your system has become extremely sluggish, even in the simplest tasks.

Igcc.exe Windows Process

Igcc.exe – Really high CPU and GPU usage

Besides CPU usage, you can find out whether IGCC.exe process legit or not by its executable file location. The default folder for this file is C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. You can right-click on the process in the Task Manager, select “Open File Location,” and see the folder where this file is placed. Once the file is in another directory, it is most likely a malicious copy.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Crypto mining term 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 video card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of dozens of graphic 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.

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

  • Microsoft Defender is stopped;
  • CPU and GPU is loaded at 80-90% exactly after the system start
  • Cooling fans are running at high speed and create a lot of noise
  • A single process in Task Manager consumes all CPU and GPU power
  • How dangerous is the Igcc.exe miner?

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

    Initially, Igcc.exe malware makes your system overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, since all CPU power is used by a virus. 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 web browser is open, you will likely suffer from extremely slow efficiency. Pages will open up for years, any sort of logins will take about a minute – just a horror story for a person who does a job online.

    Igcc.exe Technical Summary.

    File NameIgcc.exe
    TypeTrojan Coin Miner
    Detection NameTrojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution MethodSoftware bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behaviorLws.exe, Hid.exe, Logiregistryservice.exe
    RemovalDownload and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Igcc.exe removal.

    “Visible” damage is not a solitary unpleasant activity coin miners do to your computer. Igcc.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your OS. To perform all malicious operations correctly, it wrecks the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to avoid detection. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a ton of new notes – they are brought in by this coin miner to connect your computer to a malicious cryptomining network. All these adjustments shall be reverted to the original in the process of system recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides decreasing your computer’s performance, performing at peak power for a long period of time can trigger damage to your machine and increase power expenses. Hardware components are designed to easily get along with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.

    Small and well-protected processor cooling system is quite hard to crack. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke if affected while running, for instance, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by Igcc.exe can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure1. Graphic cards are also tend to have very fast wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely an undesirable case when the performance of your GPU plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being used in such a way.

    How did I get Igcc.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 malicious programs through “serious” malware. Adware sometimes works as a carrier for Igcc.exe malware injection: it demonstrates you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics show that approximately 30% of all malware spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Igcc.exe is just with them.

    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    An additional way you could get this thing on your PC is by downloading it from the dubious web page as a part of a program. People who spread hacked versions of popular 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 app and get a coin for every installation. Prior to criticizing these individuals for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid buying the program in such a way? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus program and new parts for your PC.

    How to remove the Igcc.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 needs making use of specific software. Effective security tool should have high capability at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage also on weak computers. On top of that, it is better to have proactive security in your protection tool – to stop the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these elements for different reasons. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that goal. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a perfect option that fits all of the discussed characteristics.2

    Prior to the malware removal, it is important to boot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Igcc.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU power, it is needed 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 applications, along with the majority of non-crucial system components, are not launched with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the computer without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Igcc.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 Igcc.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Igcc.exe

    Description: IGCC.exe process is generally a legitimate component associated with Intel Graphics Command Center (IGCC). IGCC is a software application developed by Intel for configuring and managing graphics settings on systems with Intel integrated graphics processors. While the genuine process is not known to be involved in coin mining activities, it is important to exercise caution as malicious software can sometimes adopt legitimate process names to avoid detection.

    Operating System: Windows

    Application Category: Trojan

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    References

    1. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
    2. 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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