How to Remove WDF.exe CPU Miner Trojan

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

To say that WDF.exe is problematic would be an understatement. This Trojan is incredibly dangerous as it uses your PC resources to mine digital currency. It also works in silence and leaves you oblivious to the modifications that happen. For starters, WDF.exe alters your system registry. Keep in mind that your permission has absolutely nothing to do with these changes. Hackers are in charge now and they are more than willing to control your machine. The WDF.exe virus modifies some system files and damages others. As a result, you may be unable to use some of your programs. Trojans are full of surprises so this is just the start. The infection takes up a lot of CPU memory. It causes your computer to crash or freeze frequently. In addition, you might often experience The Blue Screen of Death. WDF.exe overall slows down your PC speed. That means your machine underperforms which, of course, is irritating. Every single time you attempt to use your device, the Trojan reminds you of its unwanted presence. We’d recommend that you keep an eye on the way the computer performs. If your device exhibits a poor performance, that might be a sign of a Trojan horse. Why is it key for your safety to spot the infection quickly? Because the more time WDF.exe or any similar virus spends on board, the more harmful it becomes. This program makes numerous unauthorized changes in your system registry. However, it also serves as a back door to malware and monitors your browsing-related information. That includes your IP addresses, email addresses, passwords, usernames. WDF.exe steals your browsing history as well. Unfortunately, the virus may go one step further and attempt to spy on some personally identifiable data. In this scenario, hackers get free access to your bank account/online credentials. It goes without saying that cyber criminals are the last people who should approach such sensitive details. Do not allow the devious WDF.exe to cause you privacy issues. This nuisance could involve you in some financial fraud or even identity theft. The sooner you tackle it, the better.

Remove WDF.exe

How did I get infected with?

Trojans mainly use fake emails and spam messages to get spread online. Having in mind that WDF.exe is a rather typical member of the Trojan family, it probably applied this technique too. Have you received any questionable emails or messages in social media? Clicking those open would set free all parasites that hackers have sent you. Therefore, you have to be very careful what you give green light to. Delete anything you find unreliable and remember how creative hackers could be. You may come across some job application, for example. If it turns out to be corrupted, though, clicking it open would be a mistake. Take your time online to make sure you don’t accidentally compromise your safety. WDF.exe might have also been presented as some software update or a torrent. Always watch out for potential intruders unless you’re willing to test out the limits of your luck. It only takes one single wrong move to download malware. Be cautious instead of overlooking the numerous threats that roam the Internet.

Why is this dangerous?

As mentioned, WDF.exe serves as a back door to more infections. Trojans are famous for helping ransomware travel the Web. Hence, you might get stuck with an aggressive file-encrypting pest if you hesitate for too long. Is procrastination really worth it? Do not let this program cause you further damage. WDF.exe successfully messes with your default PC settings. It might even modify some of your browser settings and add malicious extension/toolbars. When your browsers get modified, the virus injects them with sponsored, immensely unsafe and troublesome pop-ups. Bear in mind that such commercials shouldn’t be trusted. If a certain advertisement gets generated by a PC infection, stay away from it. Such ads help hackers gain profit through the pay-per-click mechanism. They might redirect you to all sorts of unverified websites as well. Long story short, WDF.exe is capable of demolishing your entire online experience. This pest of a program even jeopardizes your privacy and slows your PC speed to a crawl. To delete it manually, please follow our detailed removal guide down below.

Manual WDF.exe Removal Instructions

The WDF.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 WDF.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 WDF.exe related processes in the computer memory

STEP 2: Locate WDF.exe startup location

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

STEP 4: Undo the damage done by the virus

STEP 1: Track down WDF.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.

end-malicious-process

  • Write down the file location for later reference.

Step 2: Locate WDF.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 WDF.exe virus from the windows registry

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

win-plus-r

  • A dialog box should open. Type “Regedit”

regedit

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]

delete backgroundcontainer

  • 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:

hosts-redirect-virus

Step 4: Undo the possible damage done by WDF.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 WDF.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 WDF.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.

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