CoinImp Virus
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is CoinImp?
CoinImp is a crypto mining service similar to Coinhive and Crypto-Loot. This service essentially provides web developers with a JavaScript API that can be applied to any website. The CoinImp script is designed to employ visitors' computers to mine Monero cryptocurrency.
The CoinImp service and idea behind it are legitimate, however, some developers have no bounds and abuse CoinImp to the detriment of users' web browsing experience.
Cryptocurrency mining is essentially a process in which a computer solves various mathematical "equations" and, for each solved equation, a reward (fraction of a Monero coin) is provided. Note that an identical "equation" is solved by a number of different computers from around the world simultaneously. Therefore, the "mined" coin is distributed amongst them.
CoinImp is a good service that allows developers to monetize their sites - the script employs visitors' computers to mine. Despite this, some web developers become greedy and start to abuse the system.
CoinImp provides a feature that allows developers to limit the use of visitors' computer resources, however, criminals typically do not use this functionality, since the more powerful the computer used, the larger the reward. JavaScript is a very good choice when using computer CPU resources. Therefore, when all limits are removed, CPU utilization reaches 100%.
The system becomes unusable (it barely responds) and might also crash, resulting in permanent data loss. Furthermore, within certain circumstances (e.g., bad cooling system, high room temperature) a fully loaded CPU can overheat. Therefore, by abusing CoinImp, criminals impose hardware damage.
Regular home computers are not optimized for mining cryptocurrency (the revenue received is lower than the electricity cost). In addition, users stay on sites only for a limited number of minutes. Therefore, criminals attempt to generate as much traffic as possible. They do this in various ways. For example, they hack legitimate websites and stealthily inject them with CoinImp script.
They also develop dozens of malicious sites that also use CoinImp script. In some cases, these sites prevent users from closing browser windows/tabs to make them remain on the sites as long as possible. To promote these sites, developers employ intrusive advertising (specifically, adware-type programs that deliver bogus ads).
Potentially unwanted adware-type programs (PUPs) deliver various intrusive ads (e.g., banners, pop-ups [new browser windows that open certain sites], coupons, and so on). These ads can lead to cryptocurrency-mining websites and sites that contain infectious content. In addition, the ads might run scripts that download/install malware.
Therefore, clicking them risks various computer infections. Note that intrusive ads are often delivered using various tools (e.g., "virtual layers") that enable placement of third party graphical content on any site. These ads are also likely to conceal underlying website content, significantly diminishing the web browsing experience.
In addition, many potentially unwanted programs gather information relating to web browsing activity. IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, keystrokes, and other collected data might contain personal details that developers later sell third parties.
These people misuse the data to generate revenue. Therefore, the presence of data-tracking apps can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. You are strongly advised to eliminate them immediately.
| Name | CoinImp malware |
| Threat Type | Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus |
| Symptoms | Seeing advertisements 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 (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Research shows that all potentially unwanted programs are very similar. By offering "useful features", PUPs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users to install.
These programs are designed only to generate revenue for the developers, and thus deliver no real value for regular users. Potentially unwanted programs pose a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did potentially unwanted programs install on my computer?
Some PUPs have official download/promotion sites, however, most infiltrate systems without permission, since developers proliferate them using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of PUPs with regular apps.
In most cases, "bundled" applications are hidden within "Advanced/Custom" settings or other sections of the download/installation processes - developers do not disclose these installations properly.
Furthermore, many users rush these procedures, skip steps, and click various tempting links/ads, without understanding the possible consequences. In doing so, they expose their systems to risk of various infections and compromise their privacy.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by PUPs, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. Be aware that criminals invest many resources into intrusive ad design, and thus most seem legitimate. Despite this, these ads redirect to suspicious sites such as gambling, adult dating, and so on.
If you encounter them, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. It is also very important to carefully analyze each step of the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Opt-out of all additionally-included programs and cancel offers to download/install them.
We strongly recommend that you avoid using third party downloaders/installers, since criminals monetize them using the "bundling" method. Applications should be downloaded only from their official websites only, using direct download links. The key to computer safety is caution.
Example of a website that uses CoinImp script:
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
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Quick menu:
- What is CoinImp?
- STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
- STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
- STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue extensions from Safari.
- STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
Removal of potentially unwanted programs:
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 any suspicious/recently-installed applications, 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 rogue extensions from 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 entries and click "Remove".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the coinimp malware, 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 "More 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 coinimp malware, 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 plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with coinimp malware 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:
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 coinimp malware, 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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Outstanding!
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