Msedge.exe Virus: Causing CPU usage to 100%

Msedge.exe is the executable file for the Microsoft Edge web browser. Microsoft Edge is a modern web browser developed by Microsoft and introduced with Windows 10 as a successor to Internet Explorer. It is also available for other operating systems like macOS, iOS, and Android.

The msedge.exe process represents the main executable file for Microsoft Edge. When you launch the browser, this file is responsible for starting the program and managing its various functions. Msedge.exe handles tasks such as rendering web pages, executing JavaScript code, managing browser tabs, and handling user interactions.

If you suspect that the msedge.exe process is being used maliciously or causing abnormal CPU usage, it’s important to investigate further to ensure your system’s security. Running a scan with reputable security software is a good first step. Additionally, you can monitor system behavior, check the file location of msedge.exe (usually located in the “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge” directory)

It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!

When we talk about the intrusion of unfamiliar programs into your computer’s work, the proverb “Forewarned is forearmed” describes the situation as accurately as possible. Gridinsoft Anti-Malware is exactly the tool that is always useful to have in your armory: fast, efficient, up-to-date. It is appropriate to use it as an emergency help at the slightest suspicion of infection.

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Here are a few steps you can take to investigate Msedge.exe:

1. Verify File Location: Right-click on the msedge.exe process in the Task Manager, select “Open file location,” and confirm the location of the file. If it is located in a temporary folder or a location other than the legitimate directory mentioned above, it could be a cause for concern.
2. Scan for Malware: Run a thorough scan of your system using reputable antivirus or anti-malware software. Ensure that your security software is up to date and perform a full system scan to check for any potential malware infections.
3. Monitor System Behavior: Keep an eye on the system’s behavior and performance. If you notice any other suspicious activities, such as unexpected pop-ups, system slowdowns, or unauthorized network connections, it could indicate the presence of malware.
4. Remove Suspicious Files: If the msedge.exe file in the temporary folder is identified as malicious by your security software or if you suspect it to be malicious, it’s recommended to delete the file. Be cautious when manually removing files and ensure that you are targeting the correct file associated with the malware.

What is Msedge.exe process?

Msedge.exe in temp folder can be a coin miner virus

As I have actually specified in the previous paragraph, Msedge.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the .exe file may be diverse, however, the consequences are almost always the same. Because coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they use all possible hardware power of your PC to perform this process. This virus does not pay attention to the fact that you probably need to use your device for other tasks – it will consistently consume over 80% of your processor power.

Msedge.exe – Very high CPU and GPU use

Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally utilize GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will probably struggle even to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as critical as CPU for system work, so Msedge.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It sometimes may result in sad consequences.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining is a term that means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful computer is required. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of GPUs to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Fraudsters who make profit via this coin miner use someones’ PCs instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.¹

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

How dangerous is the Msedge.exe miner?

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

Initially, Msedge.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, because all CPU power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your needs, all it pays attention to is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely suffer from exceptionally slow efficiency. Pages will open up for years, any type of logins will take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person who does a job online.

Msedge.exe Technical Summary.

“Visible” damage is not a single unpleasant thing coin miners do to your PC. Msedge.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your operating system. To execute all malevolent operations successfully, it wrecks the security features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent detection. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a ton of new entries – they are brought in by this trojan miner to connect your computer to a malicious cryptomining network. All these changes are about to be thrown back to the original in the process of PC recovery.

Hardware effects of coin miner activity

Besides making your PC slow, running at peak power for long times may trigger damage to your device and raise power costs. Hardware elements are designed to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only when they are in a good shape.

Little and covered CPU fan is not very easy to crack. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if affected while working, for example, by the user much before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by Msedge.exe malware can easily lead to graphic card failure². Video cards are also prone to have very fast wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely an undesirable case when the performance of your video card plunges 20-30% just after several weeks of being used in such a way.

How did I get Msedge.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 common malevolent programs through “serious” malware. Adware sometimes serves as a carrier for Msedge.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” may belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that around 30% of all malware spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Msedge.exe is right with them.³

The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

Another way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the unreliable web page as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked variants of well-known programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to make money. Hence, there is a huge temptation to add in malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for every setup. Before criticizing these guys for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid buying the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus program as well as new parts for your computer.

How to remove the Msedge.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 the use of specific software. Appropriate anti-malware program must have high efficiency at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage even on weak computers. Furthermore, it is better to have on-run protection in your security solution – to stop the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these features for different factors. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is an ideal option that fits each of the specified features.⁴

Before the virus removal, it is important to reboot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Msedge.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU capacity, 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.

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 Windows components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the PC without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.

Remove Msedge.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.

1. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
2. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
3. Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
4. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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