What is Mshta.exe process?

As I have pointed out in the previous paragraph, Mshta.exe is possibly a coin miner virus. The important note you need to remember is that mshta.exe can be a legit process. Originally, it belongs to Microsoft HTML Application Host – a legit element of Windows. It is responsible for correct work with .hta files – ones that you can open in the web browser. Nonetheless, just as with any other system process, coin miner viruses can hijack its name. Below, you will see the typical symptoms of the fact that mshta.exe is a malicious counterfeit.

Mshta.exe – Very high CPU as well as GPU use

Besides CPU utilization, some of the coin miners also make use of GPU power for their tasks. In that instance, you will struggle even to see the mouse cursor moving – GPU is usually utilized on 100%. It is not as important as processor for system work, so Mshta.exe coin miner viruses don’t waste time on trifles and utilize all of it. It often may lead to bad consequences.

Cryptocurrency mining term means the action of calculating the transaction block hash. That is a integral part of any project based on the blockchain technology. Since this action takes a lot of calculations, a very strong computer is needed. Exactly, the video card is better for this purpose, because they have more cores available. Cryptomining farms are usually constructed of tens and hundreds of graphic cards to conduct their activity effectively. Such computer systems are not usable for “usual” 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 Mshta.exe miner?

First of all, Mshta.exe virus makes your computer overloaded. It is not able to run your applications now, because all CPU power is consumed by a virus. That malware does not care for your needs, 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 struggle with extremely sluggish performance. Pages can open for years, any sort of logins will likely take about a minute – just a headache for a person that does a job online.

Mshta.exe Technical Summary.

“Visible” damage is not a single unpleasant activity coin miners perform to your PC. Mshta.exe coin miner also deals damage to your operating system. To carry out all malevolent operations effectively, 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 load of new entries – they are added by this coin miner to connect your system to a malicious cryptomining network. All these changes are about to be gone back to the original in the process of system recovery.

Hardware effects of coin miner activity

Besides decreasing your computer’s performance, running at peak power for a long period of time may trigger damage to your machine and increase power expenses. PC elements are created to easily deal with high load, but they are good with it only when they are in a good shape.

Little and covered CPU cooling system is quite hard to broke. Meanwhile, GPUs have large and easy-to-access rotors, which can be easily cracked if touched while running, for instance, by the user much earlier before the malware injection. Malfunctioning cooling system, together with the really high load caused by Mshta.exe can easily lead to graphic processing unit failur³. GPUs are also prone to have increased wearing when used for crypto mining. It is surely an undesirable case when your GPU’s performance plunges 20-30% only after several weeks of being used in such a way.

How did I get Mshta.exe coin miner virus?

Coin miners are one of the most widespread malevolent programs through “severe” malware. Adware frequently acts as a carrier for Mshta.exe malware injection: it shows you the banners, which include a link to malware downloading. Yes, this abstract “malware” may belong to any kind – another adware, spyware, rogue or backdoor. However, the statistics say that about 30% of all viruses spread through the malicious banners are coin miners – and Mshta.exe is right with 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 variants of favored programs (which do not require the license key) have small chances to make money. Hence, there is a huge lure to add malware to the final package of the hacked app and receive a coin for every installation. Before criticizing these people for hacking and also malware distribution, ask yourself – is it OK to avoid purchasing the program in such a way? It is more affordable to pay $20-$30 one time than to pay a much greater sum for antivirus software as well as new parts for your computer.

How to remove the Mshta.exe miner from my PC?

Eliminating such a virus involves making use of special app. Effective security tool should have high capability at scanning and be lightweight – in order to create no problems with usage even on weak PCs. Additionally, it is recommended to have on-run protection in your security tool – to prevent the virus even before it launches. Microsoft Defender lacks these features for various 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 mentioned characteristics.⁵

Before the malware removal, it is important to boot your system into Safe Mode with Networking. Since Mshta.exe miner consumes a lot of CPU 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 PC is in Safe Mode, all third-party apps, just like the majority of non-critical 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.

Remove Mshta.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.

References

1. Read about why Monero and DarkCoin are so popular amongst cybercriminals.
2. Detailed explanation of how does cryptomining work.
3. About unwanted effects for GPUs in the process of cryptomining.
4. Read more about various malware type on GridinSoft Threat Encyclopedia.
5. Our review on GridinSoft Anti-Malware.

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