Setupfile__pass__1234.exe Virus (Coin Miner Trojan) Removal

Setupfile__pass__1234.exe executable file comes from a malicious program that can correctly be recognized as a coin miner trojan. That malware type uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, primarily – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your system pretty much unusable as a result of high CPU utilization.

What is Setupfile__pass__1234.exe process?

Setupfile__pass__1234.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
Setupfile__pass__1234.exe Windows Process

Setupfile__pass__1234.exe – Extremely high CPU/GPU use

Besides CPU consumption, some of the coin miners additionally utilize GPU power for their operations. In that situation, you will struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is often used on 100%. It is not as critical as processor for system work, so Setupfile__pass__1234.exe coin miner viruses do not waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It sometimes may result in unhappy consequences.

Shortly about cryptocurrency mining

List of the typical coin miner symptoms

  • Microsoft Defender is stopped;
  • CPU and GPU is loaded at 80-90% exactly after the system start
  • Cooling fans are running at high speed and create a lot of noise
  • A single process in Task Manager consumes all CPU and GPU power
  • How dangerous is the Setupfile__pass__1234.exe miner?

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

    Initially, Setupfile__pass__1234.exe malware makes your computer overloaded. It is unable to run your applications now, since all CPU power is used by a virus. That malware does not care for your wants, all it focuses on is generating profits on you. Even if you are patient, and you waited until web browser is open, you will likely suffer from exceptionally slow performance. Pages will open up for years, any type of logins will likely take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person who does a job online.

    Setupfile__pass__1234.exe Technical Summary.

    File Name Setupfile__pass__1234.exe
    Type Trojan Coin Miner
    Detection Name Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner
    Distribution Method Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc.
    Similar behavior Nominal.exe, Midnauhe.exe, Chromesetup.exe
    Removal Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Setupfile__pass__1234.exe removal.

    “Visible” harm is not a single bad thing coin miners do to your personal computer. Setupfile__pass__1234.exe coin miner also deals damage to your OS. To conduct all malicious functions successfully, it wrecks the security features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware halts it to prevent 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 shall be reverted to the original in the process of system recovery.

    Hardware effects of coin miner activity

    Besides making your computer slow, performing at peak level for a long period can trigger damage to your device and raise power costs. PC components are created to get along with high load easily, but they are good with it only when they are in good shape.

    Small and well-protected CPU cooling system is hard to crack. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access fans, which can be easily broke if touched while running, for example, by the user much before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the extremely high load caused by Setupfile__pass__1234.exe virus can easily lead to graphic processing unit failure3. Video cards are also prone to wear more when used for cryptocurrency mining. It is likely a bad situation when the performance of your GPU plunges 20-30% just after 1-2 weeks of being exploited in such a way.

    How did I get Setupfile__pass__1234.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 PC is by downloading it from the untrustworthy web page as a part of a program. People that spread hacked variants of favored programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to get paid. Thus, there is a huge lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked application and receive a coin for every installation. Before blaming these guys for hacking and malware distribution, ask yourself – is it okay 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 figure for antivirus software and new parts for your PC.

    How to remove the Setupfile__pass__1234.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 programs, just like the majority of non-crucial system components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you 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 crypto mining.

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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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