Cryptocurrency mining malware that does not leave the PC even after formatt

[CromaCross]

Hey Friends! 

I received malware that mines cryptocurrency on my PC, my CPU, RAM and disk are high even when I don't do anything, I just open the task manager window, I have already formatted my PC (I reinstalled Windows 10 on my computer with a "usbmass") I tried the antivirus that detects and removes it but it always comes back, when I finish the scan, reset the PC and open the task manager it's the same thing

I really need help with it, thanks in advance!

 

 

FRST_04-01-2024 03.02.57.txt Addition_04-01-2024 03.02.57.txt

[CromaCross]

I don't think that is normal.

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello @CromaCross and

 

Please perform the following so that I may more accurately assess what threats may remain in your system:

• Download CKScanner from here:http://downloads.malwareremoval.com/CKScanner.exe
• Important - Save it to your Desktop
• Right Click CKScanner.exe and select, Run as administrator
• Give permission if necessary, and click Search For Files
• After a very short time, when the cursor hourglass disappears, click Save List To File
• A message box will verify that the file was saved. Please run the program only once
• Attach the CKFiles.txt file on your desktop to your next reply

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[CromaCross]

CKScanner 2.5 - Additional Security Risks - These are not necessarily bad
c:\users\iury\onedrive\documentos\portablegit\usr\bin\ssh-keygen.exe
c:\windows\winsxs\amd64_openssh-common-components-onecore_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.19041.3636_none_313e13906513ccb2\ssh-keygen.exe
c:\windows\winsxs\amd64_openssh-common-components-onecore_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.19041.3636_none_313e13906513ccb2\f\ssh-keygen.exe
c:\windows\winsxs\amd64_openssh-common-components-onecore_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.19041.3636_none_313e13906513ccb2\r\ssh-keygen.exe
scanner sequence 3.BB.11.VCAPMZ
----- EOF -----

sorry, i dont know how to reply with a text file in the forum

[AdvancedSetup]

You attach files. Thank you @CromaCross

 

Let's go ahead and run a couple of scans and get some updated logs from your system. Please read the entire post below before starting so that you're more familiar with the process

[ 1 ]

Please make the following system changes.

• Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection or other security software first only if it blocks or interferes with the scans or downloads.. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download software below only if needed. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Disable-Fast-Startup
• Show-Hidden-Folders-Files-Extensions

[ 2 ]

Malwarebytes AdwCleaner

Let's do a special run of Malwarebytes AdwCleaner to help prepare the computer to be able to run other scanning software that may be blocked

Please read all the information below before starting so that you have a good understanding of the process.
Take your time and be careful. Make sure you select all of the listed items below - before- pressing the scan button.

 

• Please download Malwarebytes AdwCleaner and save the file to your Desktop or Downloads folder.
• Here is another link to download if the link above does not work:  Malwarebytes AdwCleaner alternative link
• Locate the program where you downloaded it. Double-click to start AdwCleaner.  Do not rush. There are a few choices to set as listed below.
• Malwarebytes AdwCleaner guide
• Reply YES at the Windows prompt to allow the program to proceed and make changes. That is the usual Windows security prompt.
• Accept the End User License Agreement.
• Wait until the database is updated. Do Not click on anything yet.

 

When AdwCleaner starts, on the left side panel of the window, click on Settings and enable these repair actions on the Application tab

Clicking their button to the far-right will enable the ON status

 

• Delete IFEO keys
• Delete tracing keys
• Delete Prefetch files
• Reset Proxy
• Reset Chrome policies
• Reset IE Policies
• Reset Winsock
• Reset Hosts file (If you're not having any issues accessing security or other websites you can uncheck this item)

 

 

ONLY after you have set the selections above ....only after that .....

Now On the left side of the AdwCleaner window, click on the Dashboard panel and then click the Scan button to perform a computer scan.

 

 

• DO NOT uninstall or remove the Preinstalled software if found. Uncheck any items listed for Preinstalled
• When finished, if items are found please click Quarantine to finish the cleaning process.
• Your PC should reboot now if any items were found.
• After reboot, a log file will be opened. Attach that log to your next reply. You can also open the Log Files panel to locate.
• This can take several minutes to complete, please be patient.
• When the AdwCleaner scan is completed it will display all of the items it has found. Click on the Quarantine button To remove what it found.
• AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to close any open programs before it starts to clean.
• Click on the Continue button to finish the removal process.
• If No Detections are found, Click the Basic Repair button to have it reset the checked items above.

[ 3 ] 

Malwarebytes for Windows

• If you already have Malwarebytes installed then open Malwarebytes and click on the small gear icon, then click on the "Check for updates" button on the General tab.
• After any updates, click the middle Scan button from the main page. It will automatically run a Threat Scan.
• If you don't have Malwarebytes installed yet, please download it from here or alternative link and install it.
• Once installed then open Malwarebytes and select Scan and let it run.
• Once the scan is completed, make sure you have it quarantine any detections it finds.
• If no detections were found click on the Save results drop-down, then the Export to TXT  button, and save the file as a Text file to your desktop or other location you can find and attach that log on your next reply.
• If there were detections then once the quarantine has completed click on the View report button, Then click the Export drop-down, then the Export to TXT  button, and save the file as a Text file to your desktop or other location you can find and attach that log on your next reply.
• If the computer restarted to quarantine you can access the logs from the Detection History, then the History tab. Highlight the most recent scan and double-click to open it. Then click the Export drop-down, then the Export to TXT  button, and save the file as a Text file to your desktop or other location you can find and attach that log on your next reply.
• If Malwarebytes won't run then please skip to the next step and let us know in your next reply that the scanner would not run.

 

View Reports and History in Malwarebytes for Windows v4
https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038479194-View-Reports-and-History-in-Malwarebytes-for-Windows

Malwarebytes for Windows v4 guide
https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038984693-Malwarebytes-for-Windows-v4-guide

 

RESTART THE COMPUTER Before running Step 4

[ 4 ]

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system.
You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

• Please rename FRST.EXE or FRST64.EXE to FRSTEnglish.exe
• After renaming the file right-click over FRSTEnglish.exe and select "Run as administrator"
• When the tool opens click Yes to the disclaimer
• Make sure there is a check mark in the Addition.txt check box
• Press the Scan button.
• It will make a log FRST.txt and Addition.txt in the same directory the tool is run from. Please attach both logs to your next reply.

 

 

Thank you

 

Example image of where to click to attach files when posting your reply

 

 

 

[CromaCross]

I dont know why the attach tool not appeared to me before
 

I did everything in first step 
I did everything in second step

no detections are founded, and i executed the basic repair

I did everything in third step

I did everything in the fourth step


I'm the one who thanks (Sorry for my bad english).

 

MalwarebytesScanResults.txt Addition.txt FRST.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the logs, please run the following tool

 

Dr.Web CureIt!

Please download the Dr.Web CureIt! anti-virus utility
https://free.drweb.com/

 

You will need to send them an email to obtain a link to download the scanner, please do so

• The downloaded file will normally have a unique name such as:  q7a9tr4p.exe
• Close all open applications and locate the downloaded file and double-click to run it
• The program will take a moment to launch and bring up the License and Update screen
• Place a check mark to agree to the terms and then click on the Continue button
• Click the underlined link Select objects for scanning
• On the top left click the Scanning objects that should automatically check all objects
• Click the small wrench and make sure there is a check on Automatically apply actions to threats
• Then click the large button on bottom right Start scanning
• Once the scan has completed there will be a link named Open report click that and a log named cureit.log should open in Notepad
• The log is saved in the folder named Doctor Web in the top of your user profile folders
• Please attach that log on your next reply

 

 

 

[CromaCross]

The log says that the option to automatically apply actions was not checked, but I'm sure I checked it before scanning

I don't know if this is related but autoruns shows some files not found
 

cureit.log

[AdvancedSetup]

Those are special files and are valid. Please ignore that in Autoruns

The Cureit scan found no issues.

Let's try another scanner

 

 

Please download and run the following Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2020 and save it to your Desktop.

(Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool version 20.0.10.0 was released on November 9, 2021)

Download: Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool

https://devbuilds.s.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/KVRT/latest/full/KVRT.exe

How to run a scan with Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2020
https://support.kaspersky.com/15674

How to run Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2020 in the advanced mode
https://support.kaspersky.com/15680

How to restore a file removed during Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool 2020 scan
https://support.kaspersky.com/15681

 

Select the     Windows Key and R Key together, the "Run" box should open. Drag and Drop KVRT.exe into the Run Box. C:\Users\{your user name}\DESKTOP\KVRT.exe will now show in the run box. add -dontencrypt   Note the space between KVRT.exe and -dontencrypt C:\Users\{your user name}\DESKTOP\KVRT.exe -dontencrypt should now show in the Run box.   That addendum to the run command is very important, when the scan does eventually complete the resultant report is normally encrypted, with the extra command it is saved as a readable file. Reports are saved here C:\KVRT2020_Data\Reports and look similar to this report_20210123_113021.klr Right-click direct onto that report, select > open with > Notepad. Save that file and attach it to your reply. To start the scan select OK in the "Run" box. A EULA window will open, tick all confirmation boxes then select "Accept" In the new window select "Change Parameters" In the new window ensure all selection boxes are ticked, then select "OK" The scan should now start... When complete if entries are found there will be options, if "Cure" is offered leave as is. For any other options change to "Delete" then select "Continue" When complete, or if nothing was found select "Close" Attach the report information as previously instructed...   Thank you

 

 

[CromaCross]

 

report_2024.01.05_02.50.18.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Thank you for the logs. Looks good overall.

Please get me a fresh set of Farbar scan logs and I'll write up a clean up script @CromaCross

 

Please download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatible with your system.
You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

• Please rename FRST.EXE or FRST64.EXE to FRSTEnglish.exe
• After renaming the file right-click over FRSTEnglish.exe and select "Run as administrator"
• When the tool opens click Yes to the disclaimer
• Make sure there is a check mark in the Addition.txt check box
• Press the Scan button.
• It will make a log FRST.txt and Addition.txt in the same directory the tool is run from. Please attach both logs to your next reply.

 

Thank you

 

[CromaCross]

Thank you!

 

FRST.txt Addition.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Default browser: Opera

The choice is yours but I would highly suggest you consider using Firefox or Brave. The Opera browser used to be a great alternative but today it does not care about your privacy.

 

[ 1 ]

Please make the following change in Malwarebytes if you're using the Premium or Trial version

• Please open Malwarebytes. Click on the small gear icon to open the Settings and go to the Security tab.
• Then turn off "Always register Malwarebytes in the Windows Security Center"
• Restart the computer

 

It is highly unlikely that you need to setup exclusions for Windows Defender, however if you experience any issues, please see the following article and setup exclusions
between Malwarebytes and Windows Defender

Malwarebytes for Windows antivirus exclusions list
https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038522974-Malwarebytes-for-Windows-antivirus-exclusions-list

 

[ 2 ]

ATTENTION: System Restore is disabled (Total:111.68 GB) (Free:72.06 GB) (65%)

Please enable System Protection and create a NEW System Restore Pont

 

How to Turn On or Off System Protection for Drives in Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4533-turn-off-system-protection-drives-windows-10-a.html

How to Create a System Restore Point in Windows 10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4571-create-system-restore-point-windows-10-a.html

 

[ 3 ]

Your current DNS Servers:  192.168.3.1   

Please consider changing your default DNS server settings. Please choose one provider only

DNS is what lets users connect to websites using domain names instead of IP addresses

Pick just one of these 4 providers. And be aware that you need to modify 1 time for IPv4 & a 2nd pass for IPv6

• Google Public DNS: IPv4   8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4   IPv6   2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844
• Cloudflare: IPv4   1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1   IPv6   2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001
• OpenDNS: IPv4   208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220  IPv6  2620:119:35::35 and 2620:119:53::53
• DNSWATCH: IPv4   84.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40   IPv6  2001:1608:10:25::1c04:b12f and 2001:1608:10:25::9249:d69b

The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your DNS Server
https://www.howtogeek.com/167533/the-ultimate-guide-to-changing-your-dns-server/

Here is a YouTube video on Changing DNS settings if needed

 

[ 4 ]

Please run the following fix

 

NOTE: Please read all of the information below before running this fix.

• NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine.
• Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system that cannot be undone.

Once the fix has been completed, please attach the file FIXLOG.TXT to your next reply

Farbar program:   FRSTEnglish.exe.exe

Save the attached file:  FIXLIST.TXT to this folder C:\Users\Iury\Desktop\

NOTE. It's important that both files, FRSTEnglish.exe.exe, and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

Please make sure you disable any real-time antivirus or security software before running this script. Once completed, make sure you re-enable it.

 

 

Run the Farbar program with Admin rights and press the Fix button just once and wait.

The fix may possibly take up to 60 minutes to complete

If the tool needs a restart please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart.
The tool will make a log named Fixlog.txt in the same folder you ran the Farbar program from. Please attach that log on your next reply.

 

1. NOTE:  This fix will run a scan to check that all Microsoft operating system files are valid and not corrupt and attempt to correct any invalid files. It will also run a disk check on the restart to ensure disk integrity.
2. NOTE: As part of this fix all temporary files will be removed. If you have any open web pages that have not been bookmarked please make sure you bookmark them now as all open applications may be automatically closed.
               Also, make sure you know the passwords for all websites as cookies may possibly be removed in some cases, but not all cases.
3. NOTE: As part of this fix, it will also reset the network to default settings including the firewall. If you have custom firewall rules you need to save please export or save them first before running this fix.

The following directories are emptied:

• Windows Temp
• Users Temp folders
• Edge, IE, FF, Chrome, and Opera caches, HTML5 storages, Cookies and History
• Recently opened files cache
• Discord cache
• Java cache
• Steam HTML cache
• Explorer thumbnail and icon cache
• BITS transfer queue (qmgr*.dat files)
• Recycle Bin

Important: items are permanently deleted. They are not moved to quarantine. If you have any questions or concerns please ask before running this fix.

The system will be rebooted after the fix has run.

fixlist.txt

Thanks

 

[CromaCross]

here it is
thank you

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Great, that looks good @CromaCross

Let's run the Microsoft Security Scanner

 

 

Let's go ahead and run a couple of scans and get some updated logs from your system. Please read the entire post below before starting so that you're more familiar with the process

[ 1 ]

Please make the following system changes.

• Temporarily disable your antivirus real-time protection or other security software first only if it blocks or interferes with the scans or downloads.. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download software below only if needed. Make sure to turn it back on once the scans are completed.
• Disable-Fast-Startup
• Show-Hidden-Folders-Files-Extensions

[ 2 ]

I suggest a new scan for viruses & other malware. This may take several hours, depending on the number of files on the system and the speed of the computer.

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is a free Microsoft stand-alone virus scanner that can be used to scan for & remove malware or potentially unwanted software from a system. 

The download links & the how-to-run-the tool are at this link at Microsoft 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/threat-protection/intelligence/safety-scanner-download

 

Look on the Scan Options & select the FULL scan.

Then start the scan. Have lots of patience. It may take several hours.

• Once you see it has started, take a long long break;  walk away.  Do not pay credence if you see some intermediate early flash messages on the screen display.  The only things that count are the End result at the end of the run.
• The scan will take several hours.  Leave it alone. It will remove any other remaining threats as it goes along.  Take a very long break, do your normal personal errands .....just do not use the computer during this scan.

This is likely to run for many hours as previously mentioned  ( depending on the number of files on your machine & the speed of the hardware.)

The log is named MSERT.log  and the log will be at C:\Windows\debug\msert.log

Please attach that log with your next reply.

 

It is normal for the Microsoft Safety Scanner to show detections during the scan process.

It is scanning for basically all bread crumbs or traces of files and registry entries that "might" be or have been part of some infection or previous infection.

That DOES NOT mean the computer is infected. Once the scan has been completed it uploads the log to their Cloud service which then uses Artificial Intelligence to determine if in fact any of the traces are an infection or not.

Then it writes into the log on your computer what it found.

 

Thank you

[CromaCross]

msert.log

[AdvancedSetup]

Results Summary:
----------------
No infection found.

 

Please run the following @CromaCross

SecurityCheck by glax24              

I would like you to run a tool named SecurityCheck to inquire about the current security update status of some applications.
CheckSecurity is a utility for quickly checking for the presence of vulnerable applications

• Temporarily disable Microsoft SmartScreen to download the software
• Download SecurityCheck by glax24: https://tools.safezone.cc/glax24/SecurityCheck/SecurityCheck.exe
• If SmartScreen blocks the file from running click on More info and Run anyway
• This tool is safe.   Smartscreen is overly sensitive. You can check the VirusTotal scan of the tool from here
• Right-click  with your mouse on the Securitycheck.exe  and select "Run as administrator"  and reply YES to allow to run & go forward
• Wait for the scan to finish. It will open a text file named SecurityCheck.txt Close the file.  Attach it with your next reply.
• You can find this file in a folder called SecurityCheck,  C:\SecurityCheck\SecurityCheck.txt

Items checked:

1. User Account Control (UAC).
2. Service pack.
3. IE version.
4. Automatic OS update. Sets of critical KB patches when updating is disabled.
5. Antivirus, firewall, other security utilities.
6. Versions of Java, Oracle Virtualbox.
7. Version of Adobe Flash Player, Adobe AIR.
8. Versions of Adobe Reader, Acrobat Reader DC, Foxit Reader.
9. Versions of media players (iTunes, AIMP, foobar2000).
10. Versions of messengers (Skype, Pidgin).
11. Versions of installed browsers (Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Yandex, SeaMonkey).
12. Versions of mail programs (The Bat, Thunderbird).
13. Checking running processes and security program services
14. Searching for installed Adware programs and optimizer programs (More than 5000).

Thank you

 

[CromaCross]

here

SecurityCheck.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Great, that log looks good already.

How is the computer running now?

Are  you still having signs of an infection or other issues?

 

[CromaCross]

I continue to have problems with mining, my PC reaches a very high percentage of resource usage, I don't know why 23 Opera browser windows are open

[CromaCross]

Okay, the virus is gone, sorry for the inconvenience, my PC is working normally, thanks for your help!!!

[AdvancedSetup]

Great, glad to hear all is well.

 

Let's go ahead and do some clean-up work and remove the tools and logs we've run.

Please download KpRm by kernel-panik and save it to your desktop.

• right-click kprm_(version).exe and select Run as Administrator.
• Read and accept the disclaimer.
• When the tool opens, ensure all boxes under Actions are checked.
• Under Delete Quarantines select Delete Now, then click Run.
• Once complete, click OK.
• A log will open in Notepad titled kprm-(date).txt.
• Please attach that file to your next reply. (not compulsory)

 

 

[CromaCross]

here, thank you so much

kprm-20240108054356.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Excellent. that all looks good.

I will go ahead and close your topic and wish you well.

Take care and stay safe out there and thank you for using Malwarebytes

 

 

[AdvancedSetup]

We're glad that we were able to assist you.

The following information will help you to keep your computer and data safer as well as improve your overall privacy

1. Recommend using a Password Manager for all websites, etc. that require a password. Never use the same password on more than one site.
   https://www.howtogeek.com/780233/best-password-manager/
2. Make sure you're backing up your files https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/136226-backup-software/
3. Keep all software up to date - PatchMyPC - https://patchmypc.com/home-updater#download     https://patchmypc.com/about-us
4. Keep your Operating System up to date and current at all times - https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-update-faq-8a903416-6f45-0718-f5c7-375e92dddeb2
5. Further tips to help protect your computer data and improve your privacy: https://forums.malwarebytes.com/topic/258363-tips-to-help-protect-from-infection/ 
6. Please consider installing the following Content Blockers for your Web browsers if you haven't done so already. This will help improve overall security

Malwarebytes Browser Guard

•   Google Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/malwarebytes-browser-guar/ihcjicgdanjaechkgeegckofjjedodee
•   Microsoft Edge: https://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413298736787-Install-Malwarebytes-Browser-Guard-on-Microsoft-Edge-browser
•   Mozilla Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/malwarebytes/

uBlock Origin

• Google Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm 
• Microsoft Edge: https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/ublock-origin/odfafepnkmbhccpbejgmiehpchacaeak 
• Mozilla Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin

 

Further reading if you'd like to keep up on the malware threat scene: Malwarebytes Blog  https://blog.malwarebytes.com/

Hopefully, we've been able to assist you with correcting your system issues.

Thank you for using Malwarebytes. Please tell your friends and family if they too need assistance with malware removal

 

 

If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this topic with your request.

This applies only to the originator of this thread. Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread.

Please review the following to help you better protect your computer and privacy Tips to help protect from infection

Thank you