GRIDCASH Virus
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is GRIDCASH?
Similar to Coinhive, CoinImp, Minr, and many others, GRIDCASH is a legitimate service allowing web developers to implement crypto-mining scripts into their websites. The idea behind this service is legitimate - developers employ visitors' computer resources to mine cryptocurrency.
Users accept to browse the website and use content in return for allowing limited CPU usage of their systems. Despite this, some web developers become greedy: the mining is done without users' consent and there is no limit on use of system resources.
Therefore, developers often employ the sites consume up to 100% of system resources to mine cryptocurrencies without visitors' permission. This can lead to a number of problems.
Cryptomining essentially allows computer resources to be used to solve various mathematical problems. For each problem solved, a fraction of a cryptocurrency coin is returned as a reward. The more powerful hardware you have, the more revenue you generate. Therefore, the mining process can become costly in terms of hardware.
To avoid this cost, criminals misuse other users' computers via web scripts that can be implemented on various websites. As mentioned above, the idea behind web mining scripts is legitimate.
You might visit a website that provides content free of charge, and you are notified that, in exchange for the content, your computer resources (e.g., up to 20%) are used to mine cryptocurrency until you leave the site. This may seem legitimate, but some web developers do not limit the use of computer resources and mine without users' consent.
This behavior is not acceptable. Systems working at full capacity become unstable and virtually unusable. They might crash (resulting in permanent data loss [e.g., of unsaved documents]) and barely respond.
Furthermore, fully-loaded hardware generates excessive heat and under certain circumstances (bad cooling systems, high room temperatures, and so on) can overheat. Therefore, careless mining can damage hardware, or at least shorten its lifespan. Users receive nothing in return - all mined cryptocurrency is sent to the criminals.
Therefore, from the user's point of view, GRIDCASH is neither trustworthy nor secure. If you have noticed reduced computer performance when opening a website (e.g., CPU usage is high), there is a high probability that the site is using scripts such as GRIDCASH. Visit only legitimate websites.
Research shows that, in many cases, users visit crypto-mining websites inadvertently - they are redirected by rogue adware that infiltrates systems without permission. Cyber criminals are also likely to hijack poorly-protected websites (some of which are quite popular) and stealthily inject them with crypto-mining scripts.
Remember that high CPU usage when when visiting certain websites indicates that a crypto-mining script is being used.
| Name | GRIDCASH 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. |
In some cases, users visit crypto-mining websites inadvertently - they are are redirected to them by adware-type applications. These apps typically offer "useful features" in attempts to give the impression of legitimacy and trick users to install. Adware-type applications often have just one purpose: to generate revenue for the developers.
Most deliver no real value for the regular user. These applications cause unwanted redirects, deliver intrusive advertisements, and gather sensitive data, thereby posing a direct threat to your privacy and Internet browsing safety.
How did potentially unwanted applications install on my computer?
Adware-type applications often have official download website, however, most are distributed using intrusive advertisements and a deceptive marketing method called "bundling". Intrusive advertisements redirect users to malicious websites and execute scripts that download and install unwanted apps (or even high-risk malware).
"Bundling" is stealth installation of potentially unwanted applications together with regular software/apps. Developers hide "bundled" apps within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes - they do not disclose this information properly.
Furthermore, many users are likely to click advertisements and skip download/installation steps. This behavior can lead to inadvertent installation of unwanted applications.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
To prevent system infiltration by adware, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and downloading and installing software. Intrusive advertisements usually seem legitimate, since developers invest time and resources into their design, but they often redirect to dubious sites, such as gambling, adult dating, pornography, and so on.
They are commonly delivered by adware-type applications. If you encounter them, immediately eliminate all dubious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, carefully analyze each download/installation step and deselect additionally-included programs.
We recommend that you avoid using third party download/installation tools, since most are monetized by "bundling" (promoting) rogue software.
Apps should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. The main reasons for computer infections are poor knowledge and careless behavior - the key to safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with PUAs, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate them.
Computer CPU usage during the mining process:
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 GRIDCASH?
- 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 applications:
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 application, 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 gridcash 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 and remove them.
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the gridcash 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 gridcash 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 gridcash 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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