Zsd.exe executable file is related to a malevolent program that can properly be recognized as a coin miner trojan virus. That malware form uses your PC components to mine cryptocurrencies, primarily – Monero or DarkCoin1. It makes your computer pretty much nonfunctional due to high CPU use.
What is Zsd.exe process?
Zsd.exe is a malicious process created by coin miner virus
As I have actually pointed out in the introduction, Zsd.exe is a coin miner virus. The names of the .exe file can be different, however, the consequences are almost always the identical. Since coin miners focus on cryptocurrency mining, they use all available hardware power of your PC to conduct this procedure. This malware doesn’t take note of the fact that you probably want to use your system for other activities – it will always take over 80% of your processor power.
Zsd.exe – Very high CPU and GPU use
Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners additionally utilize GPU power for their tasks. In that case, you will probably struggle also to see the mouse arrow moving – GPU is often utilized on 100%. It is not as vital as processor for system work, so Zsd.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize it all. It often can cause unhappy 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 strong machine is needed. Exactly, the GPU is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptocurrency mining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of graphic cards to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “classic” purposes, like gaming or web browsing. Fraudsters who make profit 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 Zsd.exe miner?
Coin miners does not deal damage to your files. However, they make a lot of unpleasant things with the whole system
First of all, Zsd.exe virus makes your PC overloaded. It is not able to run your applications anymore, as all CPU power is consumed by a malware. That malware does not care for your wants, all it pays attention to is generating profits 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 kind of logins will likely take about a minute – just a nightmare for a person that does a job online.
Zsd.exe Technical Summary.
| File Name | Zsd.exe |
| Type | Trojan Coin Miner |
| Detection Name | Trojan:Win32/CoinMiner |
| Distribution Method | Software bundling, Intrusive advertisement, redirects to shady sites etc. |
| Similar behavior | Roamingproquota.exe, Asdsdagsda.exe, Qwdaxza.exe |
| Removal | Download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware for automatic Zsd.exe removal. |
“Visible” damage is not a solitary negative activity coin miners perform to your personal computer. Zsd.exe coin miner also deals damage to your OS. To execute all malevolent functions correctly, it wrecks the protection features of your system. You will likely see your Microsoft Defender disabled – malware stops it to avoid detection. If you open the HOSTS file, you will likely see a load of new entries – they are brought in by this coin miner to connect your system to a malicious mining network. All these changes are about to be reverted to the initial state in the process of system recovery.
Hardware effects of coin miner activity
Besides decreasing your system’s performance, performing at peak level for a long period of time may cause damage to your machine as well as raise power bills. Hardware elements are designed to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only in case when they are in a good shape.
Little and well-protected CPU cooling system is not very easy to damage. Meanwhile, GPUs have large 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 very high load caused by Zsd.exe virus can easily lead to graphic card failure3. GPUs are also tend to have increased wearing when utilized for crypto mining. It is surely an unwanted case when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% just after several weeks of being exploited in such a way.
How did I get Zsd.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 malicious programs through “serious” viruses. Adware frequently functions as a carrier for Zsd.exe malware injection: it demonstrates you the banners, which have a link to malware downloading. Sure, this abstract “malware” can belong to any kind – yet another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics say that approximately 30% of all malware spread with the malicious banners are coin miners – and Zsd.exe is just one of them.4
The example of malicious banners you can see in the Internet
An additional way you could get this item on your computer is by downloading it from the untrustworthy web page as a part of a program. Users who spread hacked variants of well-known programs (which do not demand the license key) have small chances to get paid. For this reason, there is a very big lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked application and get a coin for each installation. Prior to blaming these people for hacking and also malware spreading, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing the program in this manner? It is much cheaper to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much bigger sum for antivirus software as well as new parts for your computer.
How to remove the Zsd.exe miner from my PC?
The best way to get rid of this coin miner virus is to use anti-malware software
Getting rid of such a virus involves using specific app. Appropriate security tool should have high performance at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage even on weak computers. In addition, it is recommended to have on-run security in your security solution – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender does not have these elements for various reasons. That’s why I’d recommend you to use a third-party anti-malware program for that reason. GridinSoft Anti-Malware is a great choice that fits each of the mentioned qualities.5
Prior to the virus removal, it is important to reboot your operating system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Zsd.exe miner takes a lot of processor power, it is required to stop 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 software, just like the majority of non-critical system components, are not launched with the system start. That allows you to clean the system without dealing with high CPU usage of the coin miner.
Remove Zsd.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 Zsd.exe Virus ⛏️ Trojan Coin Miner
Name: Zsd.exe
Description: The Zsd.exe is a Trojan Coin Miner that uses the infected computer’s sources to mine electronic money without your authorization. This Zsd.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.
