Remove WaterMiner (Monero Miner)

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

Cyber currencies are quite popular nowadays. Some more than others. Nevertheless, all of them have software that can “mine” them. WaterMiner is a malicious program (malware) which mines the Monero currency. The furtive utility enters your computer in complete silence and uses your resources. WaterMiner consumes a lot of computer resources. To carry out its malicious processes, it consumes computer resources, as well as, a lot of electrical power. This program can double even triple your electricity bill. Unlike other such miners, WaterMiner doesn’t leave your computer unusable. Which may sound good, but it isn’t. This makes the infection quite hard to be detected. This utility is programmed to leave no evidence in your Task Manager. One cannot simply see it. The miner is a camouflage master. So, consider yourself lucky. You know that it is on board. You can take actions against the parasite. Others were not so lucky, WaterMiner can spend weeks, even months without being detected. And this can damage your hardware. As we mentioned, the miner uses a lot of electricity. What do you think happens with this power? It is transformed into heat. The heat is not good for your hardware. Using your CPU on high temperatures can shorten its life significantly. The coin-dinging process is only profitable if you are not using your own resources. The crooks are using yours. They are making a mint at your expense. Despite being less invasive than other coin miners, WaterMiner should not be neglected. It is still quite invasive and it has no right to use your computer. Don’t hesitate to remove it. We have provided a detailed removal guide down below. If you are not confident in your computer skills, however, there is no shame in using automated solutions. Download a powerful anti-malware app and run a full system scan. Delete all suspicious elements!

How did I get infected with?

The WaterMiner malware did not appear by itself. It uses a deceptive language and stealth installation to reach its victims. Freeware, shareware and pirated copies of licensed products often become hosts for such parasites. Little extra caution, however, can keep your computer clean. Whenever you are installing a program, opt for the Advanced option in the Setup Wizard. It can be a button or tab. Under it, you will be presented with a list of all extra programs that are about to be installed. Deselect all suspicious tools. These third-party app, more often than not, are malicious. Make sure you know what you approve on your PC. Read the Terms and Conditions and/or do some online research. Install only the programs you trust. Keep in mind that you can deselect all extras and still install the app you originally planned to set up. It is up to you to prevent virus infections. So, don’t be lazy. Always do your due diligence. Avoid using torrents, stay away from shady websites and spam emails.

Why is this dangerous?

The WaterMiner utility should be removed upon detection. This parasite cannot be beneficial to you. On the contrary, it is an expense. To carry out its processes, WaterMiner needs resources. It uses your CPU and a lot of virtual memory. It can shorten your CPU’s life. Furthermore, it may cause system crashes. Currently, WaterMiner is not causing your PC to underperform significantly. Yet, with the time passing, this utility will get more and more aggressive. Soon, you will notice that your device is quite sluggish. It will also radiate a lot of heat. Don’t be surprised. The mining process requires a lot of electricity. This electricity is turned into heat. If your PC doesn’t have a powerful cooling system, your device will overheat and crash. If it keeps on crashing, you will end up with the Blue Screen of Death. Data loss and hardware damage are also a possible outcome. Don’t hesitate to remove WaterMiner. The sooner it is gone, the better!

Manual WaterMiner Removal Instructions

The WaterMiner 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 WaterMiner 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 WaterMiner related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate WaterMiner startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down WaterMiner 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 WaterMiner 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 WaterMiner 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 WaterMiner

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 WaterMiner, 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 WaterMiner 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.