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
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
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
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
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.
References
- Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
- About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
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