Msdwf.exe executable file comes from a malicious application that can correctly be defined as a coin miner virus. That malware form utilizes your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your system pretty much unfunctional because of high CPU usage.
What is Msdwf.exe process?
Msdwf.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
Msdwf.exe – Extremely high CPU/GPU usage
Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners also utilize GPU power for their tasks. In that situation, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as critical as processor for system work, so Msdwf.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use all of it. It sometimes can lead to sad effects.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Msdwf.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
Initially, Msdwf.exe malware makes your computer overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, since all processor power is used by a malware. That malware does not care for your wants, 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 extremely sluggish efficiency. Pages can open up for years, any sort of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person that does a job online.
Msdwf.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Msdwf.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Server.exe, Software_reporter_tool.exe, Proxypub.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Msdwf.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a single negative thing coin miners do to your personal computer. Msdwf.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your OS. To execute all malicious functions properly, it ruins the security mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to avoid recognition. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new entries – they are added by this trojan miner to connect your PC to a malicious cryptomining network. All these adjustments shall be reverted to the original in the process of computer recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides making your computer slow, performing at peak power for a long period of time can trigger damage to your device and raise electricity costs. Hardware elements are created to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only when they are in a good shape.
Compact and covered processor fan is hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke if touched while spinning, for example, by the user much before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the very high load caused by Msdwf.exe miner can easily lead to GPU failure3. Video cards are also prone to have increased wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being used in such a way.
How did I get Msdwf.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
An additional way you could get this item on your PC is by downloading it from the suspicious site as a part of a program. People who spread hacked variants of popular programs (which do not need the license key) have small chances to make money. Thus, there is a huge temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked app and acquire a coin for every installation. Before blaming these guys for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid paying for the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus software and new parts for your desktop.
How to remove the Msdwf.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 applications, just like the majority of non-critical operating system components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the system without dealing with high CPU 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.
Leave a Comment