Sxtrace.exe executable file is related to a harmful application that can accurately be defined as a coin miner trojan. That malware form uses your hardware to mine cryptocurrencies, primarily – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your personal computer almost unusable due to high CPU utilization.
What is Sxtrace.exe process?
Sxtrace.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have specified earlier, Sxtrace.exe is a coin miner trojan. The names of the executive file may be different, however, the effects are usually the identical. Because coin miners aim at cryptocurrency mining, they use all available hardware capacity of your desktop to conduct this procedure. This virus doesn’t take note of the fact that you probably need to make use of your desktop for other tasks – it will always use over 80% of your processor power.
Sxtrace.exe – Extremely high CPU/GPU usage
Besides CPU usage, some of the coin miners additionally make use of GPU power for their operations. In that instance, you will probably struggle also to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is usually utilized on 100%. It is not as critical as CPU for system work, so Sxtrace.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and use all of it. It often can result in bad effects.
Shortly about cryptocurrency mining
Crypto mining means the activity of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a basic element of anything based on the blockchain technology. Since this operation takes a lot of calculations, a very strong computer is required. Exactly, the GPU is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms usually consist of dozens of graphic cards to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “general” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters 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 Sxtrace.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
Firstly, Sxtrace.exe virus makes your computer overloaded. It is unable to run your applications anymore, as all processor power is consumed by a malware. 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 suffer from incredibly slow efficiency. Pages can open up for years, any type of logins will take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person that works online.
Sxtrace.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Sxtrace.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Nottepad.exe, Deadcloud1_build.exe, Omegaengine.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Sxtrace.exe removal. |
“Visible” harm is not a solitary unpleasant activity coin miners do to your personal computer. Sxtrace.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To carry out all malicious 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 notes – they are brought in by this trojan miner to connect your computer to a malicious cryptomining 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, running at peak power for a long period of time can trigger damage to your device and raise electricity expenses. PC 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 well-protected CPU fan is hard to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have big and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily broke 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 Sxtrace.exe miner can easily lead to GPU failure3. Video cards are also prone to have increased wearing when utilized for crypto mining. It is likely an unwanted situation when your GPU’s performance decreases on 20-30% only after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Sxtrace.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 common malevolent programs through “serious” viruses. Adware often acts as a carrier for Sxtrace.exe malware injection: it demonstrates you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any type – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. But the statistics show that around 30% of all viruses spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Sxtrace.exe is right with them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
Another way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the dubious site as a part of a program. People that spread hacked variants of favored programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to get paid. Hence, there is a huge lure to include malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for each installation. Before criticizing these individuals for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it alright to avoid buying the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater figure for antivirus software and new parts for your desktop.
How to remove the Sxtrace.exe miner from my PC?
The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software
Eliminating such a virus requires the use of special tool. Effective antivirus must have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to make no problems with utilization also on weak systems. In addition, it is better to have on-run security in your security solution – to prevent the virus even before it starts. Microsoft Defender does not have these elements for different reasons. That’s why I’d advise you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that objective. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great choice that fits each of the specified characteristics.5
Prior to the malware removal, it is important to boot your Windows into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Sxtrace.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU capacity, 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, along with the majority of non-crucial Windows components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the system without dealing with high processor usage of the coin miner.
Remove Sxtrace.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 Sxtrace.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Sxtrace.exe
Description: The Sxtrace.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Sxtrace.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.
