Migrate.sfx.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Migrate.sfx.exe executable file is related to a malicious application that can correctly be defined as a coin miner trojan. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer pretty much nonfunctional as a result of high CPU utilization.
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What is Migrate.sfx.exe process?

Migrate.sfx.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus

As I have actually specified in the previous paragraph, Migrate.sfx.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the executive file can be diverse, but the consequences are usually the same. Because coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware power of your personal computer to perform this procedure. This virus does not take note of the fact that you may need to make use of your desktop for other activities – it will consistently take over 80% of your CPU power.

Migrate.sfx.exe Windows Process

Migrate.sfx.exe – Extremely high CPU as well as GPU use

Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners also make use of GPU power for their operations. In that instance, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as important as CPU for system work, so Migrate.sfx.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use it all. It often may result in bad results.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Crypto mining is a term that means the action 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 machine is required. 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 browsing the Web. Crooks who make profit via this coin miner use someones’ computers instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

  • Your device overheats (system unit/laptop body is very hot)
  • You are not able to open your apps or they are opening for ages
  • Unknown process is running in the background and consumes your PC resources
  • Windows Defender does not respond
  • How dangerous is the Migrate.sfx.exe miner?

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

    Firstly, Migrate.sfx.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, since all CPU power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your needs, all it pays attention to is generating income on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely struggle with exceptionally slow performance. Pages can open for years, any type of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person that works online.

    Migrate.sfx.exe Technical Summary.

    File NameMigrate.sfx.exe
    TypeTrojan Coin Miner
    Detection NameTrojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution MethodSoftware bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behaviorHost.exe, Fmcud.exe, Eu.exe
    RemovalDownload and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Migrate.sfx.exe removal.

    “Visible” damage is not a single negative thing coin miners do to your computer. Migrate.sfx.exe coin miner likewise deals damage to your OS. To conduct all malevolent functions properly, it wrecks the security features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to avoid detection. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a lot of new notes – they are added by this trojan miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these changes shall be reverted to the initial state in the process of system recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides slowing down your computer, performing at peak level for a long period of time can trigger damage to your device as well as increase power costs. Hardware elements are created to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.

    Little and covered CPU cooling system is hard to broke. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if affected while working, for instance, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Migrate.sfx.exe miner can easily lead to graphic card failure3. GPUs are also prone to have very fast wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when the performance of your graphic card decreases on 20-30% just after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.

    How did I get Migrate.sfx.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 through “serious” malware. Adware often acts as a carrier for Migrate.sfx.exe malware infiltration: it demonstrates you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any type – an additional adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics say that approximately 30% of all malware spread with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Migrate.sfx.exe is just among them.4

    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    An additional way you could get this item on your PC is by downloading it from the suspicious website as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions of popular programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to get paid. Thus, there is a huge temptation to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and acquire a coin for each installation. Before criticizing these individuals for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid buying the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus software as well as new parts for your PC.

    How to remove the Migrate.sfx.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 involves using specific program. Appropriate security tool should have high capability at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization even on weak systems. Additionally, it is better to have on-run protection in your protection solution – to halt the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender lacks these features for different factors. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that reason. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great option that fits all of the discussed features.5

    Before the malware removal, it is important to boot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Migrate.sfx.exe miner takes a lot of processor power, it is needed to stop 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 programs, along with the majority of non-crucial Windows components, are not started with the system start. That allows you to clean the system without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Migrate.sfx.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 Migrate.sfx.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Migrate.sfx.exe

    Description: The Migrate.sfx.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Migrate.sfx.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

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    References

    1. Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
    2. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
    3. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
    4. Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
    5. 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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