Remove Sqler.exe Trojan CoinMiner (PUP.SQLER.EXE)

This article can help you to remove Sqler.exe Virus. The step by step removal works for every version of Microsoft Windows.

The Sqler.exe process is not essential for your OS. On the contrary, it prevents you from using your device normally. This process is started by a Trojan miner. The parasite takes control of your PC and steals its resources. Following a successful installation, the Trojan modifies your System Registry. It enters its own entries and removes other programs’ ones. The virus is not great at hiding its tracks. You can see the processes in your Task manager. Nevertheless, this virus should not be underestimated. It is in no way safe. The Trojan loads together with your OS and is always running in the background. It has no user interfaces, so you can only feel its presence. The symptoms usually include system underperformance, slow Internet connection, frequent program failures, and unexpected system crashes. These issues occur not because of the Trojan itself, but because of its operations. The virus consumes an enormous amount of computer resources and leaves nothing for your software. The Trojan forces your computer to perform accounting services for a coin mining platform. In exchange for its assistance, your machine gets rewarded with fractions of the said coin. The longer your device works, the more fractions will it gather. The thing is that these fractions are not sent to your machine but to a virtual wallet. And, of course, only the crooks know how to open it. So, you cannot benefit from this Trojan. Yet, you may lose a lot. The coin mining operations wear out your hardware. If you don’t stop them, you may end up with irreparable hardware damage! Do not risk your computer’s health. Remove Sqler.exe Trojan immediately. The sooner this virus is gone, the better!

How did I get infected with?

Sqler.exe Trojan, as sophisticated as it is, still uses the classic distribution methods. It relies on torrents, fake updates, software bundles, and spam emails. The key to its success is not the distribution strategy it uses, but its victims’ carelessness. Were you more cautious, you wouldn’t have to deal with this virus now. The crooks took advantage of your weaknesses and lured you into permitting the parasite on board. Don’t be harsh on yourself, though. The virus is a master deceiver. The best thing you can do now is to learn from your mistakes. Do not let other parasites trick you ever again. Download your software from reputable sources only. Pay close to all installation processes. Especially when you are about to install a free app. Many software developers attach additional programs to the payload files of their apps. If you rush through the installation, you are very likely to install the extras unintentionally. Opt for the Advanced/Custom/Manual installation option in the Setup Wizard. Under it, you will be able to deselect the extras and still install the programs you originally planned to set up. Also, when it comes to Trojans, the number one distribution method is through emails. Yes, you know how dangerous an attached file can be. But, did you know that the crooks don’t rely on the attachments as much as they rely on corrupted links? They embed corrupted hyperlinks in their messages and describe them as useful information. The readers are so tempted to find out more details that they follow the links almost automatically. Don’t do this! One click is all it takes for a virus to be downloaded. Always choose caution over carelessness. Before you interact with a message, verify the sender!

Why is this dangerous?

Sqler.exe Trojan prevents you from using your computer normally. It causes some programs of yours to freeze and crash frequently. It is behind your slow Internet connection too. It is again this virus the reason why your machine performs poorly. The miner does not limit its resource consumption. It takes everything your machine has to offer. And it does this continuously. Without any pauses. Even when your machine radiates heat, the Trojan works. This takes a toll on your device. By using your CPU at high temperatures, the Trojan shortens its life significantly. The virus wears out your hardware. If you don’t stop it, you will end up with a useless device. There is also one other negative aspect of this mining that often gets neglected. To run, your computer needs electricity. If it carries heavy processes, it consumes more electricity. And the coin mining process is one of the heaviest. Do not be surprised when your next electricity bill arrives. It will definitely be more than you anticipated. The coin mining process is profitable only if you don’t use your own resources. The crooks use yours! They make a mint at your expense! Don’t become their sponsor. Remove the Sqler.exe Trojan the first chance you get!

Manual Sqler.exe Removal Instructions

The Sqler.exe infection is specifically designed to make money to its creators one way or another. The specialists from various antivirus companies like Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, Avast, ESET, etc. advise that there is no harmless virus.

If you perform exactly the steps below you should be able to remove the Sqler.exe infection. Please, follow the procedures in the exact order. Please, consider to print this guide or have another computer at your disposal. You will NOT need any USB sticks or CDs.

STEP 1: Track down Sqler.exe related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Sqler.exe startup location

STEP 3: Delete Sqler.exe traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Sqler.exe related processes in the computer memory

• Open your Task Manager by pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC keys simultaneously
• Carefully review all processes and stop the suspicious ones.

• Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate Sqler.exe startup location

Reveal Hidden Files

• Open any folder
• Click on “Organize” button
  
• Choose “Folder and Search Options”
• Select the “View” tab
• Select “Show hidden files and folders” option
• Uncheck “Hide protected operating system files”
• Click “Apply” and “OK” button

Clean Sqler.exe virus from the windows registry

• Once the operating system loads press simultaneously the Windows Logo Button and the R key.

• A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

• WARNING! be very careful when editing the Microsoft Windows Registry as this may render the system broken.

Depending on your OS (x86 or x64) navigate to:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run] or
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]

• and delete the display Name: [RANDOM]

• Then open your explorer and navigate to: %appdata% folder and delete the malicious executable.

Clean your HOSTS file to avoid unwanted browser redirection

Navigate to %windir%/system32/Drivers/etc/host

If you are hacked, there will be foreign IPs addresses connected to you at the bottom. Take a look below:

Step 4: Undo the possible damage done by Sqler.exe

This particular Virus may alter your DNS settings.

Attention! this can break your internet connection. Before you change your DNS settings to use Google Public DNS for Sqler.exe, be sure to write down the current server addresses on a piece of paper.

To fix the damage done by the virus you need to do the following.

• Click the Windows Start button to open the Start Menu, type control panel in the search box and select Control Panel in the results displayed above.
• go to Network and Internet
• then Network and Sharing Center
• then Change Adapter Settings
• Right-click on your active internet connection and click properties. Under the Networking tab, find Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4). Left click on it and then click on properties. Both options should be automatic! By default it should be set to “Obtain an IP address automatically” and the second one to “Obtain DNS server address automatically!” If they are not just change them, however if you are part of a domain network you should contact your Domain Administrator to set these settings, otherwise the internet connection will break!!!

 

• Check your scheduled tasks to make sure the virus will not download itself again.

How to Permanently Remove Sqler.exe Virus (automatic) Removal Guide

Please, have in mind that once you are infected with a single virus, it compromises your whole system or network and let all doors wide open for many other infections. To make sure manual removal is successful, we recommend to use a free scanner of any professional antimalware program to identify possible virus leftovers or temporary files.