I recently encountered a problem that seems to affect many: the computer started to slow down terribly, the graphics card was humming like an airplane, and the CPU was constantly at maximum. It turned out to be a hidden miner. That’s when I realized that simply deleting the miner from the PC isn’t enough – a clear action plan is needed.

This isn’t just a virus that steals passwords. A mining virus uses your computer as a workhorse to mine cryptocurrency. Moreover, antivirus programs often don’t catch it because the program disguises itself as normal processes. If you don’t deal with it promptly, your laptop could fail within a few hours of intensive operation – the hardware simply isn’t designed for such loads.

Mining viruses come in two types. The first is browser-based cryptojacking, where malicious scripts are embedded directly into a website. You visit an infected page, and your resources are already working for the hacker. The second type is a classic virus file that installs secretly and runs every time you turn on your PC. Sometimes, these viruses also steal wallet data.

How to understand what exactly happened? Pay attention to several signs. The graphics card starts making strange noises, becomes hot – that’s the first warning. You can check the load with the GPU-Z program. The second sign is that the computer runs slower than usual. Open the Task Manager and look at the CPU usage. If it stays above 60%, something’s wrong. The third sign is rapid memory depletion and increased internet consumption. You might also notice that the browser freezes, tabs close on their own, or processes with strange names like asikadl.exe appear in the Task Manager.

Now, about how to remove a miner from a PC. Start simple: run a full antivirus scan. A good antivirus should catch most known miners. After that, install CCleaner or a similar program to clean up system junk left by the virus. Be sure to restart your computer after removal.

But keep in mind: some modern miners add themselves to the list of trusted programs, and a regular antivirus doesn’t see them. In that case, manual action is required. Open the registry via Win+R, type regedit, and search for suspicious processes with Ctrl+F. Look for names that seem like random strings of characters. Delete everything found and restart.

Another method is to check the Task Scheduler. Press Win+R, type taskschd.msc. In the Task Scheduler library, look at which processes start automatically when you turn on your PC. If you see something suspicious, disable that task, then delete it completely. If the CPU starts working normally afterward, you’ve found the enemy.

For deeper checks, you can use specialized programs like AnVir Task Manager or Dr. Web. They detect even well-hidden viruses. Dr. Web, for example, performs a deep system scan and can rid you of any junk, not just miners. Before performing serious manipulations, it’s best to create a system backup for recovery.

And now, about prevention so you don’t have to figure out how to remove a miner from your PC again. Install a good antivirus and keep its databases updated regularly. Never download programs from dubious sites – always verify information before downloading. Work on the internet with antivirus and firewall enabled. If your browser warns about a dangerous site – close it immediately.

Add dangerous sites to your hosts file or use ready-made lists from GitHub that contain information on protecting against browser mining. Don’t run programs as administrator unless necessary – if a miner gains such rights, removing it will be much harder. Windows has the secpol.msc utility, where you can configure policies to run only verified software.

Limit port usage through antivirus and firewall settings. Set a strong password on your router and disable its detection features. Set a password on Windows itself so no one can use your computer without your permission. Avoid sites without SSL certificates – look for the https icon in the address bar.

In your browser, you can block JavaScript in the settings – this will prevent malicious scripts from running. Yes, some sites will work worse, but you’ll be protected from browser-based mining. Chrome has built-in protection against mining – enable it in the privacy and security section. Install an ad blocker like AdBlock or uBlock – they often include protection against malicious scripts.

If you do all this regularly, the problem of how to remove a miner from your PC simply won’t arise. Every 2-3 months, you can reinstall a clean Windows image – it’s a radical method but very effective. The main thing is not to ignore the first signs of infection. The earlier you notice the problem, the easier it is to fix.