Rundll32.exe process is related to a harmful program that can properly be defined as a coin miner trojan. That malware type utilizes your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your system roughly nonfunctional because of high CPU utilization.
Originally, Rundll32.exe is the name of a legitimate Windows process. It is responsible for the correct launch and handling the DLLs during their interaction with certain applications. That process carries no harm to your system, since it is present in the default distribution of Windows. However, this name is a perfect disguise for various malware, in particular – coin miners. They are not taking over this process, but instead create the one that has the same name as the original one.
What is Rundll32.exe process?
Rundll32.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have specified in the previous paragraph, Rundll32.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the .exe file may be diverse, but the impacts are generally the same. Since coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all available hardware power of your personal computer to perform this procedure. This virus does not take note of the fact that you probably want to make use of your desktop for other activities – it will always consume over 80% of your CPU power.
Rundll32.exe – Really high CPU and GPU usage
Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is usually used on 100%. It is not as critical as processor for system work, so Rundll32.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It often may lead to sad effects.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Cryptocurrency mining is a term that means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic part of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a high-end computer is needed. Exactly, the video card is better for this task, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of tens and hundreds of graphic cards to complete their task efficiently. Such systems are not usable for “normal” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Fraudsters who make profit 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 Rundll32.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
Firstly, Rundll32.exe malware makes your computer overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, because all processor power is consumed by a virus. That malware does not care for your demands, all it focuses on is generating income on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely experience extremely slow efficiency. Pages will open up for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a horror story for a person who works online.
Rundll32.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Rundll32.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Svhost.exe, Zx.exe, Instnm.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Rundll32.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a solitary negative thing coin miners perform to your personal computer. Rundll32.exe coin miner additionally deals damage to your OS. To perform all malicious functions properly, it wrecks the security features 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 brought in by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments shall be gone back to the original in the process of system recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your PC’s performance, running at peak power for long times can trigger damage to your device and increase power bills. PC elements are designed to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.
Compact and covered processor cooling system is hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily cracked if affected while working, for example, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the very high load caused by Rundll32.exe miner can easily lead to GPU failure3. Video cards are also tend to have very fast wearing when utilized for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely a bad situation when the performance of your video card plunges 20-30% just after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Rundll32.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 “major” malware. Adware often serves as a carrier for Rundll32.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that approximately 30% of all malware spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Rundll32.exe is right one of them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
Another way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the unreliable site as a part of a program. People that spread hacked versions of popular programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to get paid. Hence, there is a huge temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and acquire a coin for every installation. Before blaming these individuals for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 at once than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus software and new parts for your computer.
How to remove the Rundll32.exe miner from my PC?
The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software
Getting rid of such a virus requires making use of specific app. Effective security tool should have high performance at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage even on weak systems. On top of that, it is recommended to have proactive protection in your security tool – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender does not have these functions for various factors. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that goal. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb option that fits each of the mentioned characteristics.5
Before the virus removal, it is important to reboot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Rundll32.exe miner takes a lot of processor capacity, 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 PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, just like the majority of non-crucial Windows components, are not started with the system start. That allows you to clean the PC without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Rundll32.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 Rundll32.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Rundll32.exe
Description: The Rundll32.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Rundll32.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.
