How to Remove Js:Cryptonight Virus

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

Js:Cryptonight is a nasty Trojan horse written in JavaScript. The virus enters your computer in complete silence and establishes itself without leaving any symptoms. Once settled, however, it is hard to be overlooked. Js:Cryptonight uses your computer resources to mine crypto-coins. It uses both your CPU and GPU at their limits and leaves your machine slow and unresponsive. The virus may cause some programs of yours to freeze and crash frequently. You may also experience system crashes. The parasite is also very likely to force you to reboot your computer repeatedly. But, a simple restart won’t stop the infection. Js:Cryptonight loads together with your OS and is always running in the background. Unlike any standard coin miner, this particular Trojan uses your web browser to reach your computer’s resources. This type of mining is called drive-by mining. It is supposed to be an alternative to the classic online adverts. Basically, when you open a website that uses the technology, your computer performs services for a coin platform. The generated revenue is sent to the website you browse. In exchange, you will not be interrupted by any adverts. The mining process should stop the moment you exit the page. Yet, the crooks have found a way around that. They have modified Js:Cryptonight to mine every time you load your browser. The mining process doesn’t stop when you close your browser either. The drive-by mining is commonly used nowadays because it allows the cooks to infect not only Windows OS but MAC OS as well. This mining is very intrusive and irritating. It steals your computer resources and leaves you with a slow and unstable computer. We recommend you to remove the Trojan before it gets the chance to cause serious damage. We have prepared a manual removal guide below this article. If you are not confident in your computer skills, however, we recommend you to use a trustworthy anti-malware tool.

How did I get infected with?

You can get infected with Js:Cryptonight when you visit a compromised website. New government regulations regarding the online privacy requite all websites to inform their visitors whether they use cookies (and other similar technologies) or not. The users are so used to the pop-ups that they click on them without actually reading the messages. Make sure you know what you are giving your approval to. More often than not, there is a catch. These messages often warn that the website uses drive-by mining. By clicking on the “accept” button, you are giving the website a permission to use your device. Most virus infections can be prevented. All you should do is to be cautious. Other virus distribution methods you should keep an eye out for are the good old spam emails, torrents, software bundles, and bogus updates. Avoid using torrents. Download your software from reputable sources only. And pay close attention to all installation processes. If you are offered an Advanced setup option, by all means, select it. Having a powerful anti-virus program on board is also a good idea. The Internet is a dangerous place. So, don’t be negligent. Always do your due diligence!

Why is this dangerous?

Js:Cryptonight is a breach of your security. This parasite makes your entire system unstable. The parasite messes around with your system settings and may disable your anti-virus program, for example. Other parasites can use the Trojan to enter your OS. Even if you dodge this bullet, there are more coming your way. The processes started by Js:Cryptonight are actually harmful to your hardware. If you check your machine now, you will notice that it radiates heat. As you probably know, heat is bad for your hardware. If your cooling system is not efficient enough, you will experience frequent system crashes. This leads to data loss and the dreaded Blue Screen of Death. Furthermore, by using your CPU at such high temperatures, the virus shortens your CPU’s life. One last thing to mention here. The heat did not appear by itself. It is transformed electricity. Keep in mind that the longer Js:Cryptonight mines, the more you will have to pay for electricity. The coin mining process is profitable only if you don’t use your own resources. The crooks are using yours. You paid for the hardware, you will pay the bills, yet, it is the crooks that will get the revenue. Don’t sponsor these criminals. Remove Js:Cryptonight as soon as possible. As a bonus, your computer will perform much faster. So, don’t waste your time, take action against the intruder now!

Manual Js:Cryptonight Removal Instructions

The Js:Cryptonight 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 Js:Cryptonight 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 Js:Cryptonight related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate Js:Cryptonight startup location

STEP 3: Delete Js:Cryptonight traces from Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down Js:Cryptonight 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 Js:Cryptonight 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 Js:Cryptonight 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 Js:Cryptonight

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 Js:Cryptonight, 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 Js:Cryptonight 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.