Mkner.exe executable file belongs to a malevolent program that can properly be defined as a coin miner virus. That malware type uses your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, generally – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer almost unfunctional because of high CPU utilization.
What is Mkner.exe process?
Mkner.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have pointed out previously, Mkner.exe is a coin miner trojan virus. The names of the executive file may be different, but the impacts are generally the same. Since coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they use all possible hardware power of your desktop to run this operation. This malware does not take note of the fact that you probably need to use your machine for other tasks – it will constantly use over 80% of your processor power.
Mkner.exe – Really high CPU/GPU usage
Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners also use GPU power for their tasks. In that instance, you will probably struggle even to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually utilized on 100%. It is not as important as processor for system work, so Mkner.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and use all of it. It often can cause bad results.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining means the activity 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 strong machine is required. Exactly, the graphic card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms usually consist of dozens of graphic cards to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “general” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Crooks who gain money 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
How dangerous is the Mkner.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
First off, Mkner.exe virus makes your system overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, as all CPU power is consumed by a malware. That malware does not care for your demands, all it focuses on is making money on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely struggle with exceptionally slow efficiency. Pages can open for years, any sort of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person who does a job online.
Mkner.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Mkner.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Pack.exe, Search_hyperfs_211.exe, Routes.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Mkner.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a single bad activity coin miners perform to your personal computer. Mkner.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To complete all malicious functions effectively, it wrecks the security features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to prevent recognition. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a ton of new notes – they are added by this trojan miner to connect your computer to a malicious mining network. All these changes are about to be gone back 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 long times can trigger damage to your device and increase 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 a good shape.
Tiny and covered CPU fan is quite hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if affected while running, for instance, by the user much earlier before the virus injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Mkner.exe malware can easily lead to graphic card failure3. GPUs are also prone to have fast wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely a bad case when the performance of your GPU decreases on 20-30% only after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Mkner.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 prevalent malicious programs among “major” viruses. Adware frequently functions as a carrier for Mkner.exe malware infiltration: it demonstrates you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that about 30% of all malware spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Mkner.exe is just one of 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 site as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions of well-known programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to make money. Thus, there is a very big temptation to add malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for every installation. Before blaming these people for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid paying for the program in this manner? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus program and new parts for your computer.
How to remove the Mkner.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 involves making use of specific software. Appropriate antivirus must have high capability at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization also on weak PCs. Additionally, it is recommended to have on-run protection in your protection tool – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender does not have these features for different reasons. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb choice that fits all of the mentioned features.5
Before the virus removal, it is important to boot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Mkner.exe miner takes a lot of CPU capacity, it is required 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.
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 apps, just like the majority of non-crucial Windows components, are not started with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the system without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Mkner.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 Mkner.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Mkner.exe
Description: The Mkner.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Mkner.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.
