A new, really hazardous cryptocurrency miner virus has been identified by security researchers. The malware, called EC.exe can contaminate target sufferers using a range of methods. The main idea behind the EC.exe miner is to use cryptocurrency miner tasks on the computer systems of targets in order to obtain Monero tokens at targets cost. The end result of this miner is the raised electrical power costs and also if you leave it for longer time periods EC.exe may even damage your computers parts.
EC.exe: Distribution Methods
The EC.exe malware makes use of two prominent techniques which are utilized to contaminate computer targets:
- Payload Delivery through Prior Infections. If an older EC.exe malware is deployed on the sufferer systems it can automatically update itself or download and install a newer version. This is feasible using the built-in upgrade command which gets the release. This is done by connecting to a certain predefined hacker-controlled server which supplies the malware code. The downloaded virus will certainly get the name of a Windows service and be put in the “%system% temp” place. Important properties and running system setup data are changed in order to allow a relentless and also quiet infection.
- Software Program Vulnerability Exploits. The latest variation of the EC.exe malware have actually been found to be caused by the some exploits, commonly understood for being utilized in the ransomware assaults. The infections are done by targeting open services via the TCP port. The strikes are automated by a hacker-controlled structure which seeks out if the port is open. If this condition is fulfilled it will scan the service as well as retrieve info about it, consisting of any kind of version as well as arrangement data. Exploits and also preferred username and password combinations might be done. When the make use of is activated versus the vulnerable code the miner will be released along with the backdoor. This will provide the a dual infection.
Aside from these techniques other techniques can be made use of too. Miners can be distributed by phishing emails that are sent in bulk in a SPAM-like way and depend upon social engineering tricks in order to perplex the targets into thinking that they have actually received a message from a legit solution or business. The infection documents can be either directly affixed or put in the body materials in multimedia web content or text web links.
The bad guys can likewise produce malicious touchdown web pages that can impersonate vendor download pages, software application download portals and also other frequently accessed areas. When they utilize similar appearing domain to legit addresses as well as safety certificates the customers might be coerced right into engaging with them. In some cases merely opening them can cause the miner infection.
One more technique would be to utilize payload carriers that can be spread out utilizing those methods or using data sharing networks, BitTorrent is among one of the most popular ones. It is regularly used to distribute both reputable software program as well as data and pirate material. Two of the most popular haul carriers are the following:
Various other techniques that can be considered by the criminals include using internet browser hijackers -harmful plugins which are made suitable with one of the most preferred internet browsers. They are submitted to the relevant databases with phony customer testimonials and developer credentials. Oftentimes the summaries may include screenshots, video clips as well as intricate summaries promising wonderful function enhancements and efficiency optimizations. Nonetheless upon installment the behavior of the influenced internet browsers will certainly transform- individuals will locate that they will be rerouted to a hacker-controlled touchdown page and their setups may be changed – the default home page, online search engine as well as new tabs page.
EC.exe: Analysis
The EC.exe malware is a timeless situation of a cryptocurrency miner which depending upon its configuration can cause a wide array of unsafe activities. Its primary objective is to perform intricate mathematical jobs that will make use of the available system resources: CPU, GPU, memory and hard disk space. The means they function is by linking to a special web server called mining pool from where the required code is downloaded and install. As soon as among the jobs is downloaded it will certainly be begun simultaneously, multiple instances can be gone for as soon as. When a provided task is completed another one will certainly be downloaded in its place and the loophole will proceed till the computer is powered off, the infection is gotten rid of or one more similar event occurs. Cryptocurrency will certainly be compensated to the criminal controllers (hacking group or a solitary cyberpunk) directly to their budgets.
A dangerous feature of this group of malware is that samples such as this one can take all system sources and also practically make the target computer pointless until the threat has been entirely removed. A lot of them feature a persistent setup that makes them truly hard to eliminate. These commands will make modifications too options, configuration files and also Windows Registry values that will make the EC.exe malware beginning immediately as soon as the computer system is powered on. Access to healing food selections and also alternatives might be obstructed which provides several hands-on removal overviews practically worthless.
This particular infection will arrangement a Windows service for itself, complying with the conducted safety analysis ther following activities have been observed:
. During the miner operations the associated malware can connect to currently running Windows solutions and third-party set up applications. By doing so the system managers may not observe that the resource tons originates from a separate procedure.
Name | EC.exe |
---|---|
Category | Trojan |
Sub-category | Cryptocurrency Miner |
Dangers | High CPU usage, Internet speed reduction, PC crashes and freezes and etc. |
Main purpose | To make money for cyber criminals |
Distribution | Torrents, Free Games, Cracked Apps, Email, Questionable Websites, Exploits |
Removal | Install GridinSoft Anti-Malware to detect and remove EC.exe |
These sort of malware infections are particularly efficient at performing advanced commands if set up so. They are based on a modular framework allowing the criminal controllers to orchestrate all kinds of harmful actions. Among the prominent examples is the adjustment of the Windows Registry – modifications strings connected by the os can cause major performance disruptions and also the inability to accessibility Windows solutions. Relying on the range of adjustments it can additionally make the computer system totally unusable. On the various other hand adjustment of Registry values belonging to any kind of third-party set up applications can sabotage them. Some applications may stop working to launch completely while others can unexpectedly quit working.
This particular miner in its existing version is focused on mining the Monero cryptocurrency consisting of a customized version of XMRig CPU mining engine. If the projects show effective then future variations of the EC.exe can be introduced in the future. As the malware uses software application vulnerabilities to infect target hosts, it can be part of an unsafe co-infection with ransomware and also Trojans.
Removal of EC.exe is highly suggested, because you run the risk of not just a huge electrical power costs if it is running on your PC, however the miner may likewise execute various other unwanted tasks on it as well as also harm your PC completely.
EC.exe removal process
STEP 1. First of all, you need to download and install GridinSoft Anti-Malware.
STEP 2. Then you should choose “Quick scan” or “Full scan”.
STEP 3. Run to scan your computer
STEP 4. After the scan is completed, you need to click on “Apply” button to remove EC.exe
STEP 5. EC.exe Removed!
Video Guide: How to use GridinSoft Anti-Malware for remove EC.exe
How to prevent your PC from being reinfected with “EC.exe” in the future.
A Powerful Antivirus solution that can detect and block fileless malware is what you need! Traditional solutions detect malware based on virus definitions, and hence they often cannot detect “EC.exe”. GridinSoft Anti-Malware provides protection against all types of malware including fileless malware such as “EC.exe”. GridinSoft Anti-Malware provides cloud-based behavior analyzer to block all unknown files including zero-day malware. Such technology can detect and completely remove “EC.exe”.