Igfx.exe executable file is related to a malevolent program that can accurately be identified as a coin miner trojan virus. That malware type utilizes your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer roughly unfunctional as a result of high CPU utilization.
What is Igfx.exe process?
Igfx.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have actually mentioned previously, Igfx.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the .exe file may be different, but the impacts are usually the same. Considering that coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware power of your personal computer to run this process. This malware does not pay attention to the fact that you probably need to use your PC for other tasks – it will continuously take over 80% of your CPU power.
Igfx.exe – Extremely high CPU as well as GPU usage
Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally use GPU power for their tasks. In that instance, you will struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as crucial as CPU for system work, so Igfx.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and use it all. It sometimes can result in sad consequences.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining term means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful PC is needed. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of graphic cards to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ PCs instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Igfx.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
Initially, Igfx.exe malware makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, since all processor power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your demands, all it focuses on is generating income on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely struggle with extremely slow efficiency. Pages can open up for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person that does a job online.
Igfx.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Igfx.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Reghost.exe, Safas2f.exe, Lupservices.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Igfx.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a solitary unpleasant thing coin miners perform to your PC. Igfx.exe coin miner also deals damage to your OS. To carry out all malevolent functions effectively, it wrecks the protection features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent recognition. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new entries – they are brought in by this trojan miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments shall be reverted to the initial state in the process of computer recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your system’s performance, performing at peak level for a long period of time can trigger damage to your machine and increase electricity expenses. PC components are designed to easily get along with high load, but they are good with it only when they are in a good shape.
Little and well-protected processor cooling system is quite hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily cracked if affected while working, for instance, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by Igfx.exe malware can easily lead to GPU failure3. GPUs are also tend to have increased wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is surely an undesirable case when your GPU’s performance decreases on 20-30% only after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Igfx.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 prevalent malicious programs among “major” viruses. Adware frequently works as a carrier for Igfx.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that about 30% of all viruses spread with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Igfx.exe is right among them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
One more way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the dubious website as a part of a program. Users that spread hacked variants of favored programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to earn money. For this reason, there is a very big lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked app and acquire a coin for every setup. Before criticizing these people for hacking and also malware distribution, 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 as well as new parts for your desktop.
How to remove the Igfx.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 specific software. Effective security tool should have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with utilization even on weak PCs. On top of that, it is recommended to have proactive security in your protection tool – to halt the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these elements for various factors. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is an ideal option that fits all of the mentioned qualities.5
Prior to the malware removal, it is important to boot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Igfx.exe miner takes a lot of processor capacity, 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.
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 software, along with the majority of non-crucial operating system components, are not launched with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the PC without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Igfx.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 Igfx.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Igfx.exe
Description: The Igfx.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Igfx.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.
