I recently noticed that my computer started slowing down and overheating significantly, and the CPU was constantly at maximum load. It turned out that a hidden cryptocurrency miner was running. Here's what I learned while figuring out how to remove the miner from my PC.

These virus-miners are tricky. They infiltrate your system unnoticed and start using your computer's power to mine cryptocurrency in the background. Regular antivirus programs often don't catch them because they disguise themselves as legitimate processes. The result is disastrous: the graphics card whines like an airplane engine, RAM gets fully used up, and the laptop can even fail after a few hours of continuous operation at full capacity.

There are two main types of such parasites. The first is a browser script embedded in an infected website. When you visit it, the script activates, and your PC begins mining while you're on the page. The second type is a full virus file installed on the disk that runs every time you turn on your computer. Sometimes, these viruses also steal wallet data.

How to tell if you have a problem? Look for these signs: the graphics card is whiny and hot, the computer runs in slow motion, the CPU is loaded at 60% or higher even when idle, network traffic is rapidly consumed, the browser slows down, and strange processes with unfamiliar names are visible in the task manager.

Now, about how to remove a miner from your PC. Start simple — run a full antivirus scan. After that, run CCleaner to clean up system junk. Restart your computer. But sometimes, the virus adds itself to trusted programs, and the antivirus doesn't detect it. In that case, manual action is needed.

Open the registry: Win+R, type regedit, press OK. Then press Ctrl+F and search for suspicious processes — they usually have strange names made of random characters. Delete all found entries and restart.

Another method is through the Task Scheduler. Win+R, taskschd.msc, OK. Open the scheduler library and check which tasks run at startup. If you see anything suspicious — disable it. If after that the CPU starts working normally, delete that task completely.

For a deeper check, use specialized programs like Dr. Web or AnVir Task Manager. They detect even well-hidden viruses. Before deleting, it's best to create a system backup in case of problems.

To avoid having to figure out how to remove miners in the future, follow simple rules. Install and regularly update antivirus software. Don't download programs from suspicious sites — always verify before downloading. Scan all downloaded files with antivirus before opening. Keep antivirus and firewall enabled. Avoid dubious sites without SSL certificates — look for the https icon. Disable JavaScript in your browser if not needed. In Chrome, enable built-in mining protection in security settings. Set a password on Windows so no one can run malicious software under your name. On your router, set a strong password and disable remote access.

If things are really bad and nothing helps, the most reliable method is to reinstall Windows from a clean image. This will definitely remove any virus but will take time to restore all data and programs. Overall, prevention is better than dealing with problems later.