What is CPU Miner?
Created by IZABELCOIN Ltd, theCPU Miner (or 'CpuMiner') application is used for mining Bitcoins and distributed using a deceptive marketing method called 'bundling' to install on browsers without users' consent. Therefore, this application is categorized as a potentially unwanted program (PUP).
Bundling allows developers to distribute third-party apps together with regular software. Thus, users mostly install this application inadvertently while downloading free software from freeware download websites.
Recently, most freeware download websites (for example, download.com, softonic.com, soft32.com, etc.) employ small programs called 'download managers', 'download clients', 'installers', etc. to monetize their traffic and free services by offering installation of additional programs together with the chosen software.
These third-party applications are described as legitimate, however, they are often categorized as adware or malware infections. Once a computer is infected, these rogue apps generate intrusive online advertisem*nts that may cause further computer infections.
Furthermore, users' Internet browsing activity is recorded and later shared with third parties - behavior which can result in serious privacy issues. Although CPU Miner is not technically a virus or malware, it is categorized as a PUP, and therefore, you are strongly advised to uninstall this program from your system.
| Name | CpuMiner adware |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisem*nts not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers. |
| Damage | Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections. |
| Malware Removal (Mac) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Other regular adware applications similar to CPU Miner(for instance, HD4Good, SpeedCheckApp, andBlue Bulletin) are distributed using the bundling method. These apps provide no value to the user - their purpose is to generate revenue by the display of advertisem*nts and sharing collected data with third parties.
To avoid this situation, closely inspect each step of the free software download procedure and decline all offers to install third-party apps.
In addition, installation of downloaded programs should be performed using the 'Custom' or 'Advanced' options - this will reveal any bundled apps listed for installation and allow you to opt-out. The following removal guide will help you to uninstall CPU Miner from your system.
Deceptive free software installers used in CPU Miner adware distribution:
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Quick menu:
- What is CPU Miner?
- STEP 1. UninstallCPU Miner application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. RemoveCPU Miner adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. RemoveCPU Miner adware from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove CPU Miner adware from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove CPU Miner adware from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
CPU Mineradware removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window, look for "CPU Miner" and "SG Miner", select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections.To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Remove CPU Miner adware from Internet browsers:
At time of research, CPU Miner did not install its browser plug-ins on Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, however, it was bundled with other adware. Therefore, you are advised to remove all potentially unwanted browser add-ons from your Internet browsers.
Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entriesand click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the cpuminer adware, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the cpuminer adware, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with cpuminer adware removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....
In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon
(at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the cpuminer adware, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Summary:
Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.
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