Server.exe Virus (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Server.exe executable file is related to a malevolent application that can accurately be defined as a coin miner trojan virus. That malware type uses your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your system pretty much unfunctional due to high CPU use.

What is Server.exe process?

Server.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
Server.exe Windows Process

Server.exe – Really high CPU/GPU use

Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally use GPU power for their operations. In that instance, you will struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is usually utilized on 100%. It is not as critical as CPU for system work, so Server.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and use it all. It often may result in unhappy effects.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

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 Server.exe miner?

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

    First, Server.exe virus makes your computer overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, because all CPU power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your necessities, all it focuses on is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until browser is open, you will likely experience extremely sluggish performance. Pages can open for years, any sort of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person that works online.

    Server.exe Technical Summary.

    File Name Server.exe
    Type Trojan Coin Miner
    Detection Name Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution Method Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behavior Software_reporter_tool.exe, Proxypub.exe, Vape_v4.exe
    Removal Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Server.exe removal.

    “Visible” damage is not a solitary bad activity coin miners perform to your system. Server.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To complete all malicious operations correctly, it ruins the security mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent detection. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a ton of new entries – they are brought in by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments are about to be reverted to the initial state in the process of PC recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides slowing down your computer, performing at peak power for a long period of time may trigger damage to your machine and increase power expenses. Hardware components are created to easily get along with high load, but they are good with it only when they are in a good shape.

    Small and covered processor fan is not very easy to crack. Meanwhile, graphic cards have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if touched while working, for instance, by the user much earlier before the coin-miner injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Server.exe can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. GPUs are also prone to have fast wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when your GPU’s performance decreases on 20-30% only after several weeks of being used in such a way.

    How did I get Server.exe coin miner virus?

    Coin miners are spread through different ways, but their main sources are malicious banners and programs from dubious sources
    Unwanted banners adware

    The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet

    One more way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the unreliable site 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. Hence, there is a very big lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for every installation. Prior to criticizing these guys for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid purchasing the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger figure for antivirus software as well as new parts for your desktop.

    How to remove the Server.exe miner from my PC?

    The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software

    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 system is in Safe Mode, all third-party applications, just like the majority of non-critical Windows 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.

    References

    1. Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
    2. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.

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    About the author

    Robert Bailey

    Security engineer focused on malware behavior, removal workflows, and Windows hardening. Robert reviews threat articles for practical accuracy, checking detection names, symptoms, and cleanup steps before publication.

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