Nwjs.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Nwjs.exe is an authentic executable file that is associated with the NW.js framework (previously known as Node-webkit). The NW.js framework allows developers to create desktop applications using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The Nwjs.exe file serves as the main executable for applications developed with NW.js.

In most cases, Nwjs.exe is a legitimate file associated with a software solution called NW.js. However, as with many legitimate files, attackers can sometimes use the “nwjs.exe” name to hide their activities. Malware may also use NW.js to connect to a command and control server, which is less common, but it is still essential to be careful. Ensure that the “nwjs.exe” file you encounter comes from a reliable and reputable source. How to understand this, we will explain further below.

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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What is Nwjs.exe process?

Nwjs.exe is file that relates to the NW.js framework

As I have pointed out in the previous paragraph, Nwjs.exe is a coin miner trojan virus. The names of the executive file can be diverse, however, the consequences are usually the same. Considering that coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they use all possible hardware power of your desktop to run this process. This malware does not pay attention to the fact that you probably want to make use of your computer for other tasks – it will continuously take over 80% of your processor power.

Nwjs.exe – Very high CPU as well as GPU usage

Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as essential as CPU for system work, so Nwjs.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It sometimes may cause bad effects.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Cryptocurrency mining refers to the process of calculating the transaction block hash, which constitutes a vital component of any blockchain-based technology. To carry out this operation, a high-end machine is necessary due to the numerous calculations involved. Opting for a video card proves to be a preferable choice for this task, given their larger number of available cores. Cryptocurrency mining farms typically comprise multiple graphic cards to efficiently conduct their operations.

It’s important to note that these computer systems serve no practical purpose for general gaming or web browsing. Unscrupulous individuals who seek to profit from this coin miner resort to utilizing other people’s PCs, even if those PCs are typically employed for regular activities.

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

How dangerous is the Nwjs.exe miner?

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

Firstly, Nwjs.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, as all processor power is consumed by a malware. That malware does not care for your needs, 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 sluggish efficiency. Pages will open for years, any kind of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person that does a job online.

Nwjs.exe Technical Summary.

“Visible” damage is not a solitary unpleasant activity coin miners perform to your personal computer. Nwjs.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To execute all malicious operations effectively, it ruins the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops 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 mining network. All these changes shall be gone back to the original in the process of PC recovery.

Hardware effects of coin miner activity

Besides slowing down your computer, running at peak level for a long period of time can cause damage to your machine and increase electricity bills. 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.

Compact and well-protected processor fan is hard to crack. Meanwhile, graphic cards have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if affected while working, for instance, by the user much before the virus injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the very high load caused by Nwjs.exe virus can easily lead to GPU failure¹. Graphic cards are also prone to have increased wearing when used for crypto mining. It is likely an unwanted situation when the performance of your video card decreases on 20-30% just after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.

How did I get Nwjs.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 widespread malicious programs among “serious” viruses. Adware frequently functions as a carrier for Nwjs.exe malware injection: it demonstrates you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – an additional adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics show that about 30% of all viruses spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Nwjs.exe is right among them.²

The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

Another way you could get this item on your PC is by downloading it from the dubious website 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 lure to add in malware to the final package of the hacked app and get a coin for each setup. Prior to criticizing these people for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid buying the program in such a way? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus software as well as new parts for your PC.

How to remove the Nwjs.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 requires the use of specific app. Effective anti-malware program must have high efficiency at scanning and also be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage even on weak systems. In addition, it is better to have on-run protection in your security tool – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender does not have these elements 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 choice that fits all of the discussed features.³

Before the malware removal, it is important to reboot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Nwjs.exe miner takes a lot of CPU power, it is required to halt 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 applications, just like the majority of non-critical system components, are not launched with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the computer without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.

Remove Nwjs.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. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
2. Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
3. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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