Setpoint.exe executable file is related to a malevolent program that can correctly be recognized as a coin miner virus. That malware form uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, basically – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer pretty much unusable because of high CPU utilization.
What is Setpoint.exe process?
Setpoint.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have actually pointed out earlier, Setpoint.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the executive file may be diverse, but the effects are generally the same. Because coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they use all possible hardware power of your PC to conduct this process. This virus doesn’t care about the fact that you probably need to make use of your system for other activities – it will always take over 80% of your CPU power.
Setpoint.exe – Extremely high CPU and GPU use
Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners also make use of GPU power for their tasks. In that case, you will likely struggle even to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as essential as processor for system work, so Setpoint.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It often may lead to unhappy consequences.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining means the operation 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 machine is required. Exactly, the graphic card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of video cards to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Crooks who gain money via this coin miner use someones’ PCs instead, even if they are used for the regular activity.2
List of the typical coin miner symptoms
How dangerous is the Setpoint.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
Initially, Setpoint.exe malware makes your PC 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 needs, all it focuses on is generating income on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely struggle with exceptionally sluggish efficiency. Pages will open up for years, any kind of logins will take about a minute – just a horror story for a person that works online.
Setpoint.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Setpoint.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Cthkctrl.exe, Updreg.exe, Scantopcactivationapp.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Setpoint.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a single negative thing coin miners perform to your computer. Setpoint.exe coin miner likewise deals damage to your operating system. To perform all malevolent functions successfully, it ruins the security mechanisms of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to avoid recognition. If you check the HOSTS file, you will likely see a lot of new entries – they are brought in by this coin miner to connect your system to a malicious mining network. All these adjustments are about to be thrown back to the original in the process of system recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your system’s performance, performing at peak level for long times can cause damage to your machine and raise power bills. Hardware components are designed to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.
Tiny and covered processor fan is hard to damage. Meanwhile, graphic cards have big and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if affected while working, for instance, by the user much earlier before the virus injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Setpoint.exe virus can easily lead to GPU failure3. GPUs are also prone to have increased wearing when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is surely an unwanted situation when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being used in such a way.
How did I get Setpoint.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 prevalent malevolent programs among “major” viruses. Adware frequently serves as a carrier for Setpoint.exe malware infiltration: it shows you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – an additional adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics say that around 30% of all malware spread through the malevolent banners are coin miners – and Setpoint.exe is just among them.4
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 dubious site as a part of a program. Users that spread hacked versions of favored programs (which do not need the license key) have small chances to get paid. Thus, there is a very big temptation to include malware to the final package of the hacked app and get a coin for each installation. Prior to blaming these individuals for hacking and also malware spreading, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid purchasing the program in such a way? It is more affordable 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 Setpoint.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 involves using special software. Appropriate anti-malware program should have high efficiency at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with utilization also on weak computers. Furthermore, it is better to have on-run protection in your security solution – to stop the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these functions for different factors. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a perfect choice that fits each of the discussed characteristics.5
Prior to the malware removal, it is important to boot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Setpoint.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU power, 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 computer is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, just like the majority of non-crucial system components, are not started with the system start. That gives you the ability to clean the PC without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Setpoint.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 Setpoint.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Setpoint.exe
Description: The Setpoint.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Setpoint.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.
