Sessionmsg.exe Virus ⛏️ (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Written by Robert Bailey
Sessionmsg.exe executable file comes from a malicious application that can properly be identified as a coin miner trojan. That malware type uses your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer almost unusable because of high CPU use.
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What is Sessionmsg.exe process?

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

As I have pointed out before, Sessionmsg.exe is a coin miner trojan virus. The names of the executive file can be diverse, but the impacts are generally the same. Considering that coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they utilize all possible hardware capacity of your PC to perform this operation. This malware doesn’t care about the fact that you probably want to use your desktop for other activities – it will constantly take over 80% of your processor power.

Sessionmsg.exe Windows Process

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

Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners also utilize GPU power for their tasks. In that instance, you will probably struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is often utilized on 100%. It is not as vital as CPU for system work, so Sessionmsg.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and use it all. It often can cause sad consequences.

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 operation takes a lot of calculations, a very powerful desktop is needed. Exactly, the graphic card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of dozens of video cards to complete their task efficiently. Such computer systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or browsing the Web. Fraudsters who make profit 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

  • Your device overheats (system unit/laptop body is very hot)
  • You are not able to open your apps or they are opening for ages
  • Unknown process is running in the background and consumes your PC resources
  • Windows Defender does not respond
  • How dangerous is the Sessionmsg.exe miner?

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

    First, Sessionmsg.exe malware makes your computer overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, as all processor power is used by a malware. 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 struggle with extremely slow efficiency. Pages can open for years, any type of logins will take about a minute – just a headache for a person who works online.

    Sessionmsg.exe Technical Summary.

    File NameSessionmsg.exe
    TypeTrojan Coin Miner
    Detection NameTrojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution MethodSoftware bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behaviorExplorer.exe, Moxia.exe, Li4.exe
    RemovalDownload and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Sessionmsg.exe removal.

    “Visible” harm is not a solitary unpleasant activity coin miners perform to your computer. Sessionmsg.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To conduct all malevolent functions successfully, it ruins the protection components of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to prevent detection. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a lot of new entries – they are added by this coin miner to connect your PC to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments shall be reverted to the original in the process of computer recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides slowing down your computer, running at peak power for a long period of time may cause damage to your machine and raise power expenses. Hardware components are designed to easily get along with high load, but they can do so only in case when they are in a good shape.

    Small and well-protected processor cooling system is quite hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if touched while spinning, for instance, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the very high load caused by Sessionmsg.exe malware can easily lead to GPU failure3. Video cards are also prone to have fast wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely an undesirable case when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% just after several weeks of being used in such a way.

    How did I get Sessionmsg.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 through “major” viruses. Adware often works as a carrier for Sessionmsg.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” can belong to any type – an additional adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics say that about 30% of all viruses spread with the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Sessionmsg.exe is just one of them.4

    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 unreliable web page as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked versions of well-known programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to earn money. Therefore, there is a very big temptation to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for each installation. Before criticizing these people for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it okay to avoid buying the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus software and new parts for your computer.

    How to remove the Sessionmsg.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 needs making use of specific tool. Proper security tool should have high performance at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage also on weak systems. In addition, it is recommended to have on-run protection in your security solution – to prevent the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender lacks these features for various reasons. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a superb option that fits all of the mentioned qualities.5

    Prior to the virus removal, it is important to reboot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Sessionmsg.exe miner takes a lot of processor 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 computer 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 CPU usage of the coin miner.

    Remove Sessionmsg.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.

    GridinSoft Anti-Malware free trial

    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 Sessionmsg.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner

    Name: Sessionmsg.exe

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