Do you know what MassMiner is?
MassMiner is a threat that enters the system by exploiting its weaknesses. Our computer security specialists say it might not do any visible damage to the computer, but it could employ its resources to mine various cryptocurrencies. Accordingly, the infected devices’ users may notice a small slowdown in their performances. If you suspect this malicious program might be installed on your computer, we advise deleting MassMiner right away. To stop its creators from using your computer’s resource you could complete the steps available on the removal guide added below the report. However, if you would like to find out more about this malware like how it might be distributed, we encourage you to read the rest of this article first. In case, you have anything you would like to ask about the threat additionally; you could leave a message in the comments section.
It appears to be MassMiner spreads like a worm. Apparently, it exploits weak passwords belonging to the Microsoft SQL database and then looks for other devices to infect. The truth is a lot of threats use various weaknesses to get in, which is why it is so important to make sure the computer has as less of them as possible. In other words, besides looking out for potentially malicious content like suspicious email attachments or untrustworthy file-sharing web pages you should put some effort into making your system stronger. For instance, it would be a good idea always to update your operating system or other software you might have on the computer. Also, users should replace weak or compromised passwords.
After the malware appears on the computer it should create various tasks, Registry entries, and other files used to stay on the system without the user noticing anything, allow the threat restart with the operating system or mine cryptocurrency. Our researches say the malicious application’s presence could put the system at risk as it might become less resistant to infections. Moreover, while MassMiner would be mining cryptocurrency, the device it uses might start working slower. Not to mention, the high usage of its resources could make the computer and its parts age faster. Knowing this, we highly recommend erasing MassMiner immediately.
MassMiner screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Eliminating MassMiner manually could be a bit challenging, especially for less experienced users. Thus, we have prepared a removal guide explaining how to get rid of this malicious program on your own, step by step; you will find it at the end of this paragraph. Users who prefer erasing infections with automatic features, could pick a reputable antimalware tool, scan the computer with it, and then eliminate the malware by clicking the given deletion button. If you select the second option, we would advise keeping the chosen tool up to date so it could protect the system from malicious threats you may yet encounter in the future.
Get rid of MassMiner
- Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
- Choose Task Manager.
- Find the malicious program’s process.
- Mark it and select End Task.
- Exit Task Manager.
- Tap Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the given folders:
%TEMP%
%USERPROFILE%\desktop
%USERPROFILE%\downloads - Identify the file that might have infected the computer with MassMiner.
- Right-click this file and press Delete.
- Locate a file titled taskmgr.exe in the C:\Windows\Temp\Networks directory.
- Right-click it and choose Delete.
- Search for a file titled dllhost in the C:\Windows folder.
- Right-click it and tap Delete.
- Look for files named vmnat.exe and {random}.king in the %WINDIR%\Temp path.
- Right-click them and pick Delete.
- Find a file called npf.sys in the %WINDIR%\System32\drivers directory.
- Right-click it and choose Delete.
- Search for files named {random}.bak and {random}.exe in this location %WINDIR%\SysWOW64
- Right-click them and click Delete.
- Go to these paths:
%WINDIR%\System32\Tasks
%WINDIR%\Tasks - Find tasks called Flash and Netframework.
- Right-click them and select Delete.
- Exit File Explorer.
- Press Windows Key+R.
- Type Regedit and select OK.
- Go to HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- Find the given keys:
powershell.exe
wscript.exe
sethc.exe
magnify.exe
perfmon.exe - Right-click them and select Delete.
- Leave Registry Editor.
- Empty your Recycle Bin.
- Reboot the device.
In non-techie terms:
MassMiner is a threat designed to use other people computers to mine cryptocurrencies like Monero for oneself. Encountering such a threat might be better than coming across a ransomware application that ruins all data on the system in a matter of minutes, but still, it may cause user’s trouble as well. Our computer security specialists say the malicious application may need a lot of the infected computer’s resources to mine the wanted amount of cryptocurrencies. Such activities could influence the computer’s overall performance as it might start completing some tasks slower, crash while playing games, and so on. If you notice such changes on your system and believe it could be the malware’s fault, we would recommend checking the locations we listed in the removal guide available above this text. Provided you find any data associated with this threat you should delete it as explained in the instructions.