Qemu.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Qemu.exe executable file is related to a malevolent program that can correctly be defined as a coin miner trojan virus. That malware form utilizes your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin¹. It makes your system almost unfunctional due to high CPU utilization.

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 Qemu.exe process?

Qemu.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus

As I have actually pointed out before, Qemu.exe is a coin miner virus. The names of the .exe file can be diverse, but the effects are generally the identical. Since coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware capacity of your desktop to conduct this operation. This malware doesn’t take note of the fact that you probably need to make use of your desktop for other activities – it will constantly consume over 80% of your processor power.

Qemu.exe – Really high CPU/GPU use

Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their tasks. In that situation, you will likely struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often utilized on 100%. It is not as critical as processor for system work, so Qemu.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It often may lead to bad results.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Crypto mining term means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a very strong PC is required. Exactly, the GPU is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of GPUs to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “normal” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Fraudsters who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ computers instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.²

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

How dangerous is the Qemu.exe miner?

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

First of all, Qemu.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, since all processor power is used by a malware. That malware does not care for your necessities, all it pays attention to is making money on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely suffer from incredibly sluggish efficiency. Pages will open up for years, any sort of logins will likely take about a minute – just a horror story for a person that does a job online.

Qemu.exe Technical Summary.

“Visible” harm is not a single unpleasant activity coin miners perform to your PC. Qemu.exe coin miner also deals damage to your OS. To complete all malicious operations correctly, it wrecks the protection mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent detection. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new entries – they are added by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these changes shall be reverted to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.

Hardware effects of coin miner activity

Besides slowing down your PC, running at peak level for a long period of time can cause damage to your device as well as increase electricity expenses. Hardware components are designed to easily deal with high load, but they can do so only when they are in a good shape.

Compact and covered CPU fan is not very easy to damage. Meanwhile, graphic cards have big and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke if affected while working, for example, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the unusually high load caused by Qemu.exe malware can easily lead to graphic card failure³. Graphic cards are also tend to have fast wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an undesirable situation when the performance of your graphic card plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being used in such a way.

How did I get Qemu.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 “severe” malware. Adware sometimes works as a carrier for Qemu.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which contain a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” can belong to any type – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics say that approximately 30% of all viruses spread with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Qemu.exe is just one of them.⁴

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 unreliable site as a part of a program. Users that spread hacked versions of favored programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to earn money. Hence, there is a very big lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and get a coin for every setup. Before blaming these individuals for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing the program in this manner? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus program and new parts for your PC.

How to remove the Qemu.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 making use of specific app. Appropriate security tool must have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage also on weak computers. In addition, it is recommended to have on-run protection in your protection solution – to prevent the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these functions for different reasons. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that reason. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb choice that fits all of the specified features.⁵

Prior to the virus removal, it is important to reboot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Qemu.exe miner takes a lot of CPU power, it is required 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 system is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, just like the majority of non-crucial operating system components, are not launched with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the system without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.

Remove Qemu.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. Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
2. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
3. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
4. Read more about various malware type on Cybersecurity Glossary.
5. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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