RtkAudUService64.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
RtkAudUService64.exe is an executable file that belongs to the Realtek HD Audio Manager program. It serves as a vital component for Windows 64-bit editions. This file, along with the Realtek Audio Service, operates silently in the background, ensuring the proper functioning of the Realtek HD Audio Manager.

With the Realtek HD Audio Manager, users can actively modify various audio settings and controls to enhance their computer’s sound system. This program allows users to customize speaker configurations, adjust audio inputs and outputs, regulate volume levels, and configure audio effects.

It is important to note that executable files can sometimes be targeted by malware creators who may attempt to disguise their malicious programs with similar names to legitimate files.

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What is Rtkauduservice64.exe?

The primary purpose of the RtkAudUService64.exe executable file is to empower users in personalizing and customizing their audio settings. Furthermore, it offers additional audio features such as surround sound and audio recording, making it indispensable for troubleshooting audio-related issues. By utilizing this file, users can optimize their audio experience and resolve any sound problems that may arise.

In general RtkAudUService64.exe is not a coin miner virus. It is a legitimate executable file associated with the Realtek HD Audio Manager program. It is important to note that executable files can sometimes be targeted by malware creators who may attempt to disguise their malicious programs with similar names to legitimate files. To ensure the safety of your system, it is always recommended to use reliable antivirus software and keep it up to date.

Rtkauduservice64.exe Windows Process

Rtkauduservice64.exe – Extremely high CPU as well as GPU usage

Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners additionally utilize GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often utilized on 100%. It is not as essential as processor for system work, so Rtkauduservice64.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use it all. It often may cause bad effects.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

Crypto mining means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a strong machine is needed. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of GPUs to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “general” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ PCs instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.1

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

  • Extremely bad performance
  • CPU/GPU cooler fan creates a lot of noise
  • High temperature of the device (for laptops)
  • 80-90% consumption of CPU/GPU resources by an unknown process
  • Microsoft Defender is not working
  • How dangerous is the Rtkauduservice64.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, Rtkauduservice64.exe malware makes your system overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, as all CPU power is consumed by a malware. That malware does not care for your demands, all it pays attention to is generating income on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely experience exceptionally slow efficiency. Pages will open up for years, any kind of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person that does a job online.

    Rtkauduservice64.exe Technical Summary.

    File NameRtkauduservice64.exe
    TypeTrojan Coin Miner
    Detection NameTrojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution MethodSoftware bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behaviorVkise.exe, Tskschd.exe, Factor.exe
    RemovalDownload and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Rtkauduservice64.exe removal.

    “Visible” damage is not a single unpleasant thing coin miners do to your computer. Rtkauduservice64.exe coin miner also deals damage to your OS. To perform all malicious operations successfully, it wrecks the protection mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to avoid recognition. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a lot of new notes – they are brought in by this trojan miner to connect your system to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments are about to be reverted to the initial state in the process of computer recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides slowing down your PC, running at peak power for long times can cause damage to your device as well as raise electricity bills. PC elements are created to easily get along with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.

    Small and covered processor fan is quite hard to broke. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke if affected while working, for example, by the user much before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Rtkauduservice64.exe miner can easily lead to graphic card failure2. GPUs are also prone to have fast wearing when utilized for crypto mining. It is surely a bad situation when your GPU’s performance decreases on 20-30% only after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.

    How did I get Rtkauduservice64.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 widespread malicious programs among “severe” malware. Adware often acts as a carrier for Rtkauduservice64.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics show that around 30% of all viruses spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Rtkauduservice64.exe is just one of them.

    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    One more way you could get this item on your PC is by downloading it from the suspicious web page as a part of a program. People that spread hacked versions of popular programs (which do not need the license key) have small chances to earn money. For this reason, there is a huge temptation to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for every installation. Prior to blaming these individuals for hacking and also 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 figure for antivirus software and new parts for your computer.

    How to remove the Rtkauduservice64.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 app. Proper anti-malware program must have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with utilization even on weak systems. Furthermore, it is recommended to have proactive security in your security tool – to halt the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender lacks these elements for various reasons. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that reason. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a perfect option that fits all of the specified characteristics.3

    Before the malware removal, it is important to reboot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Rtkauduservice64.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.

    Boot into Windows Safe Mode

    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.

    windows safe mode boot option with command prompt

    When your PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, just like the majority of non-critical Windows 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 Rtkauduservice64.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.

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    After activating your free trial, start Full scan. It may last up to 10 minutes. You may use the PC as usual.

    Scanning in GridinSoft Anti-Malware

    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.

    GridinSoft Anti-Malware after the scan process

    Now, you are good to go. Reboot your PC into a normal Windows mode and use just as there was nothing malicious.

    Remove Rtkauduservice64.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Rtkauduservice64.exe

    Description: The Rtkauduservice64.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Rtkauduservice64.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

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    References

    1. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
    2. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
    3. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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    About the author

    Robert Bailey

    I'm Robert Bailey, a passionate Security Engineer with a deep fascination for all things related to malware, reverse engineering, and white hat ethical hacking.

    As a white hat hacker, I firmly believe in the power of ethical hacking to bolster security measures. By identifying vulnerabilities and providing solutions, I contribute to the proactive defense of digital infrastructures.

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