Packs.exe executable file comes from a harmful program that can properly be identified as a coin miner trojan. That malware form uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your computer roughly unfunctional as a result of high CPU utilization.
What is Packs.exe process?
Packs.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have mentioned in the previous paragraph, Packs.exe is a coin miner virus. The names of the .exe file may be different, however, the impacts are usually the same. Because coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all available hardware power of your desktop to run this process. This virus doesn’t take note of the fact that you probably need to make use of your device for other tasks – it will always take over 80% of your processor power.
Packs.exe – Very high CPU/GPU use
Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their operations. In that instance, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as vital as processor for system work, so Packs.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It sometimes can result in sad consequences.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Cryptocurrency mining is a term that means the operation of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a high-end desktop is needed. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of dozens of graphic cards to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “usual” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Crooks who make profit 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 Packs.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
Initially, Packs.exe malware makes your computer overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, since all processor power is consumed by a virus. That malware does not care for your demands, 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 extremely sluggish efficiency. Pages will open for years, any sort of logins will likely take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person that does a job online.
Packs.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Packs.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Entertainment.exe, Hxoutlook.exe, Roclin.click |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Packs.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a single bad thing coin miners perform to your PC. Packs.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To execute all malevolent operations correctly, it wrecks the security mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to avoid detection. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new notes – they are added by this trojan miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these changes are about to be reverted to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your computer’s performance, running at peak level for a long period of time may cause damage to your device and raise power expenses. Hardware elements are created to easily deal with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.
Small and well-protected processor fan is hard to broke. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily cracked if touched while spinning, for example, by the user much earlier before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by Packs.exe malware can easily lead to GPU failure3. Video cards are also prone to have very fast wearing when utilized for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted case when the performance of your graphic card plunges 20-30% only after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Packs.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 prevalent malicious programs through “serious” viruses. Adware often functions as a carrier for Packs.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that approximately 30% of all malware spread with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Packs.exe is just one of them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
An additional way you could get this thing on your PC is by downloading it from the suspicious site as a part of a program. People who spread hacked versions of well-known 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 acquire a coin for each setup. Prior to blaming these people for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid buying the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger figure for antivirus software as well as new parts for your computer.
How to remove the Packs.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 needs making use of special program. Appropriate security tool must have high efficiency at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization also on weak systems. On top of that, it is better to have proactive protection in your security solution – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender does not have these features for various reasons. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great choice that fits all of the mentioned qualities.5
Before the malware removal, it is important to boot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Packs.exe miner takes a lot of CPU capacity, it is needed 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 computer is in Safe Mode, all third-party software, just like the majority of non-crucial operating system components, are not started with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the computer without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Packs.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 Packs.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Packs.exe
Description: The Packs.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Packs.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.
