Cortana Runtime Broker CPU Miner Removal

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

Cortana Runtime Broker seems like a core OS process, but it is not. The crooks use the names of important processes in order to camouflage their parasites. The Cortana Runtime Broker process is actually harmful. It is started by a Trojan horse. That’s right. Your computer is infected. You have a Trojan lurking in the corners of your system. This parasite sneaks into your computer and corrupts your entire system. Once it calls your OS “home,” hell rises. This Trojan follows orders to steal your computer resources. It turns your machine into a coin miner. Basically, the parasite forces your device to perform accounting services for coin platform. In exchange for it “help,” your computer gets rewarded with fractions of the coin. The coins, however, are not transferred to you, but to the crooks cyber wallet. The longer it serves, the bigger the profit. Thus, the Trojan never stops. It forces your computer to mince ceaselessly. While it mines, however, you can barely use it. The coin-mining process consumes an enormous amount of computer resources. It takes everything your device has to offer and leaves nothing for you. Cortana Runtime Broker causes your system to slow to down to a crawl. It may also cause system and program crashes, odd errors, overheating, and Internet connection instability. The Trojan prevents you from using your device normally. Do not put up with this situation. Get back in control of your device. Remove the Cortana Runtime Broker virus for good! The sooner you clean your system, the better!

How did I get infected with?

Cortana Runtime Broker Trojan does not target individual victims. It uses mass-distribution strategies to reach a broad spectrum of potential victims. The parasite hides in software bundles, spam emails, corrupted links, and fake updates. It lurks in the shadows and waits for you to make a mistake. To succeed, the parasite needs one second of carelessness. Bear in mind that no anti-virus app can protect you if you act recklessly. So, don’t be lazy. Take the time to do your due diligence. Do not visit shady websites. Download your software from reputable sources only. When installing an app, pay attention to the fine print. Use the advanced/custom setup option when available. Read the terms and conditions before you agree to them. And, of course, be very careful with your inbox. Trojan horses like Cortana Runtime Broker rely mainly on spam messages. Thus, treat every unexpected message as a potential threat. Take a minute to verify the sender before you open the letter. You can enter the questionable email address into a search engine. If it was used for shady business, someone might have complained online. If the message is supposed to be from an organization, go to their official website. Compare the email addresses listed there to the questionable one. If they don’t match, delete the pretender immediately.

Why is this dangerous?

Cortana Runtime Broker has no place on your computer. This Trojan wrecks your system. It causes dozens of issues. From Internet connection instability to system crashes, the parasite interferes with every aspect of your daily computer-related activities. At first glance, the parasite seems like a mere annoyance, but you cannot see the whole picture. You are dealing with a Trojan horse. These parasites are one of the most feared computer viruses for a good reason. The Trojans can be devastating. Cortana Runtime Broker, too, can cause irresistible damage. This virus has full control of your system. It can download and install applications, alter your settings, and monitor your actions. In other words: the Trojan may infect your device with additional viruses, as well as spy on you. Hijackers, adware, spyware, even ransomware may enter your OS through the Trojan. Do not risk it! Your best and only course of action is the immediate removal of the Trojan. Do not waste your time. Remove Cortana Runtime Broker Trojan ASAP!

Manual Cortana Runtime Broker Removal Instructions

The Cortana Runtime Broker 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 Cortana Runtime Broker 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 Cortana Runtime Broker related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Cortana Runtime Broker startup location

STEP 3: Delete Cortana Runtime Broker traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Cortana Runtime Broker 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 Cortana Runtime Broker 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 Cortana Runtime Broker 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 Cortana Runtime Broker

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 Cortana Runtime Broker, 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 Cortana Runtime Broker 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.