Setpoint.exe Virus (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

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

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

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 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

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

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.