Lcore.exe process is associated with Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) or Logitech G HUB. Logitech is a popular manufacturer of computer peripherals, including gaming devices such as keyboards, mice, and controllers. Lcore.exe is the main executable file for Logitech Gaming Software or Logitech G HUB, depending on the version you are using. Nonetheless, malware may use this process’ name to mask itself from the user.
Logitech Gaming Software (LGS) in the form of Lcore.exe process provides customization options for Logitech gaming devices. It allows users to configure buttons, macros, lighting effects, and other settings specific to their Logitech gaming peripherals. It should not create any significant load to your system, under any circumstances. However, if it does, you definitely have malware in your system. In this article, I will show you how to diagnose your system and remove the traitor – once it is present.
What is Lcore.exe process?
Lcore.exe is a legit process, but the name may be associated with malware.
As I said, the Lcore.exe process associated with Logitech Gaming Software or Logitech G HUB should not typically consume excessive CPU resources or interfere with the performance of your PC. However, it is always possible for malware or malicious software to disguise itself as legitimate processes. The most obvious sign of its malignancy is high CPU load, generated by that process. Values of over 80% are never normal, unless you are dealing with some specific CPU-intensive tasks. But lcore.exe should not load your processor at all.
Lcore.exe – Extremely high CPU as well as GPU usage
Another way to understand what you’re dealing with is file location. Check the lcore.exe file location and properties. The legitimate Lcore.exe file is usually located in the C:\Program Files\Logitech Gaming Software\ directory. You can right-click on the process in the Task Manager, select “Open File Location,” and examine the file properties. Files with that name placed in any other folders are malicious.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining term means the operation of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic part of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end PC is required. Exactly, the graphic card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of GPUs to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “usual” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. 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
How dangerous is the Lcore.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, Lcore.exe malware makes your computer overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, as all processor power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your needs, all it pays attention to is making money on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely experience exceptionally sluggish efficiency. Pages will open up for years, any sort of logins will take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person that does a job online.
Lcore.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Lcore.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Lws.exe, Hid.exe, Logiregistryservice.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Lcore.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a solitary bad activity coin miners perform to your personal computer. Lcore.exe coin miner likewise deals damage to your operating system. To perform all malevolent operations successfully, it ruins the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to avoid detection. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a ton of new entries – they are added by this trojan miner to connect your system 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 making your PC slow, performing at peak level for long times can trigger damage to your device and increase power bills. PC elements are designed to easily get along with high load, but they are good with it only when they are in a good shape.
Compact and well-protected processor fan is hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily cracked if touched while running, for example, by the user much earlier before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by Lcore.exe can easily lead to GPU failure1. Graphic cards are also prone to have very fast wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely an unwanted 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 Lcore.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 malicious programs through “major” malware. Adware frequently works as a carrier for Lcore.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that around 30% of all malware spread with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Lcore.exe is just with them.
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 untrustworthy website 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 huge temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and acquire a coin for every installation. Prior to blaming these individuals for hacking and also malware spreading, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid buying the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus software and new parts for your PC.
How to remove the Lcore.exe miner from my PC?
The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software
Eliminating such a virus demands the use of special program. Effective antivirus must have high performance at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage even on weak PCs. On top of that, it is better to have proactive security in your protection solution – to prevent the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these functions for various reasons. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great choice that fits all of the mentioned qualities.2
Before the malware removal, it is important to reboot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Lcore.exe miner takes a lot of processor power, it is required 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 system is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, along with the majority of non-critical operating system components, are not started with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the system without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.
Remove Lcore.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 Lcore.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Lcore.exe
Description: The Lcore.exe process is a legitimate executable file associated with Logitech Gaming Software or Logitech G HUB, depending on the version being used. This process should not cause significant CPU usage or interfere with the overall performance of your PC. However, as with any executable file, there is a possibility that malicious actors could misuse the name "Lcore.exe" to disguise coin mining malware or other forms of malware.
Operating System: Windows
Application Category: Trojan
User Review
( votes)References
- About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
- Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
