Linked.exe executable file is related to a malevolent application that can accurately be defined as a coin miner virus. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, primarily – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer almost nonfunctional as a result of high CPU utilization.
What is Linked.exe process?
Linked.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
The names of the executive files may be different, however, the impacts are generally the same. Since coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware power of your desktop to perform this operation. This virus does not pay attention to the fact that you probably need to use your device for other tasks – it will always take over 80% of your CPU power.
Linked.exe – Extremely high CPU and GPU use
Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally use GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as crucial as the CPU for system work, so Linked.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It sometimes can lead to unhappy results.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining is a term that means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful computer is needed. Exactly, the GPU is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms usually consist 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 make a profit via this coin miner use someone’s PCs instead, even if they are used for regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Linked.exe miner?
Coin miners do not deal damage to your files. However, they do a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
First, Linked.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore since all processor power is consumed by malware. That malware does not care for your needs, all it focuses on is generating profits for you. Even if you are patient, and you wait until the browser is open, you will likely suffer from incredibly sluggish performance. Pages will open for years, and any type of login will take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person who works online.
Linked.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Linked.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites, etc. |
| Similar behavior | Super.mario, Atom.exe, Main.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Linked.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a single bad activity coin miners do to your system. Linked.exe coin miner likewise deals damage to your operating system. To conduct all malicious operations effectively, ruins the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to prevent recognition. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a lot of new entries – they are added by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments are about to be reverted to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides slowing down your computer, performing at peak level for a long period may trigger damage to your device and raise power expenses. PC components are designed to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in good shape.
A Tiny and well-protected CPU cooling system is not very easy to damage. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broken if affected while running, for example, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Linked.exe malware can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. Graphic cards also tend to have fast wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely a bad case when your GPU’s performance decreases by 20-30% just after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Linked.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 malevolent programs among “major” viruses. Adware sometimes serves as a carrier for Linked.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which include a link to malware downloads. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics show that about 30% of all viruses spread with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Linked.exe is right one of them.
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
One more way you could get this item on your PC is by downloading it from the suspicious website as a part of a program. People who spread hacked versions of favored programs (which do not need the license key) have small chances to make money. Hence, there is a huge lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for each installation. Prior to blaming these individuals for hacking and also malware spreading, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid purchasing the program in such a way? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus program as well as new parts for your desktop.
How to remove the Linked.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 demands using specific tool. Effective antivirus should have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with utilization even on weak systems. Additionally, it is better to have on-run protection in your security solution – to stop the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender lacks these functions for different reasons. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a perfect option that fits each of the mentioned qualities.4
Prior to the virus removal, it is important to boot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Linked.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 computer is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, along with the majority of non-critical system components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the PC without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.
Remove Linked.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 Linked.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Linked.exe
Description: The Linked.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Linked.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 crypto mining.
- Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
