Pdfpower.exe executable file is related to a malevolent program that can properly be defined as a coin miner virus. That malware type utilizes your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, generally – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your system roughly nonfunctional due to high CPU use.
It is better to prevent, than repair and repent!
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What is Pdfpower.exe process?
Pdfpower.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have actually mentioned before, Pdfpower.exe is a coin miner trojan virus. The names of the .exe file may be diverse, however, the impacts are almost always the identical. Because coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware power of your PC to run this process. This malware does not care about the fact that you probably want to use your PC for other activities – it will constantly consume over 80% of your CPU power.
Pdfpower.exe – Really high CPU and GPU usage
Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners also utilize GPU power for their tasks. In that situation, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as critical as processor for system work, so Pdfpower.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use all of it. It sometimes can lead to sad results.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Cryptocurrency mining means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a very strong desktop is required. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of dozens of GPUs to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Crooks who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ hardware instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Pdfpower.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, Pdfpower.exe malware makes your PC overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, because all CPU 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 experience incredibly sluggish efficiency. Pages can open up for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a horror story for a person who works online.
Pdfpower.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Pdfpower.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Atualizador.exe, Unmineable.exe, Actinglessons.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Pdfpower.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a single unpleasant thing coin miners do to your system. Pdfpower.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To conduct all malevolent operations effectively, it wrecks the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent recognition. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a number of new entries – they are brought in by this trojan miner to connect your computer to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments shall be reverted to the original in the process of PC recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides slowing down your computer, performing at peak level for a long period of time may cause damage to your machine and increase power expenses. PC components are created to easily deal with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.
Tiny and well-protected CPU cooling system is not very easy to broke. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if affected while working, for instance, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Pdfpower.exe virus can easily lead to GPU failure3. GPUs are also prone to have fast wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency 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 Pdfpower.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 through “serious” viruses. Adware frequently serves as a carrier for Pdfpower.exe malware infiltration: it demonstrates you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any type – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that about 30% of all malware spread with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Pdfpower.exe is just among 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 unreliable website as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions of popular programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to earn money. For this reason, there is a huge lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for every installation. Before criticizing these guys for hacking and malware spreading, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing the program in such a way? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus program as well as new parts for your PC.
How to remove the Pdfpower.exe miner from my PC?
The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software
Removing such a virus requires the use of specific software. Proper anti-malware program should have high efficiency at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage also on weak computers. Furthermore, it is better to have on-run protection in your security solution – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender does not have these functions for different factors. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that purpose. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is an ideal option that fits each of the specified qualities.5
Before the malware removal, it is important to boot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Pdfpower.exe miner takes a lot of CPU power, 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 system is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, along with 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 Pdfpower.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 Pdfpower.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Pdfpower.exe
Description: The Pdfpower.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Pdfpower.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 GridinSoft Threat Encyclopedia.
- Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
