Msn.exe executable file comes from a malicious application that can correctly be defined as a coin miner trojan. That malware type utilizes your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, generally – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer almost unfunctional because of high CPU utilization.
What is Msn.exe process?
Msn.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have mentioned previously, Msn.exe is a coin miner virus. The names of the .exe file may be different, but the impacts are almost always the identical. Because coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware power of your PC to perform this operation. This virus does not pay attention to the fact that you probably want to use your machine for other tasks – it will constantly use over 80% of your processor power.
Msn.exe – Extremely high CPU/GPU usage
Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners also use GPU power for their operations. In that instance, you will probably struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as critical as CPU for system work, so Msn.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use all of it. It often may result in sad effects.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining is a term that means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end desktop is required. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of video cards to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Crooks who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ PCs instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Msn.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, Msn.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, because all processor power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your wants, all it pays attention to is making money 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 kind of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person who works online.
Msn.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Msn.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Urr.exe, Nheqagent.exe, Ggshka.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Msn.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a solitary unpleasant activity coin miners perform to your personal computer. Msn.exe coin miner also deals damage to your OS. To conduct all malevolent operations effectively, it wrecks the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to avoid detection. If you open 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 adjustments are about to be gone back to the initial state in the process of computer recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your PC’s performance, performing at peak power for a long period of time can trigger damage to your device and increase electricity expenses. PC elements are created to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only when they are in a good shape.
Tiny and covered processor fan is quite hard to crack. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if affected while running, for example, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Msn.exe miner can easily lead to graphic card failure3. GPUs are also prone to have very fast wearing when utilized for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when your GPU’s performance decreases on 20-30% only after several weeks of being used in such a way.
How did I get Msn.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 the most prevalent malicious programs among “severe” malware. Adware sometimes serves as a carrier for Msn.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” may belong to any type – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that about 30% of all malware spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Msn.exe is just with them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
An additional way you could get this thing on your computer is by downloading it from the untrustworthy website as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions of popular programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to get paid. For this reason, there is a huge lure to add in malware to the final package of the hacked app and get a coin for every installation. Before criticizing these individuals for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid paying for the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus program as well as new parts for your desktop.
How to remove the Msn.exe miner from my PC?
The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software
Getting rid of such a virus requires making use of specific tool. Appropriate security tool should have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with usage even on weak PCs. In addition, it is recommended to have on-run protection in your security tool – to halt the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these features for different reasons. That’s why I’d suggest you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is an ideal choice that fits all of the specified features.5
Before the malware removal, it is important to reboot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Msn.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.
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 PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, just like the majority of non-crucial system components, are not started with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the system without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.
Remove Msn.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 Msn.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Msn.exe
Description: The Msn.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Msn.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.
