What it is and how to remove it
If your Windows PC is unusually slow or your fan seems to be running nonstop, you might be dealing with the Altruistics virus. This trojan virus is a type of malware that quietly makes its way onto your system, often through free software downloads. Once installed, the Altruistics virus hijacks your computer’s resources to mine cryptocurrency, which in turn slows down your PC.
Slow speeds aren’t the worst of it either. The Altruistics trojan virus can also disable security features, opening the door to even more serious threats. Below, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about the Altruistics virus, from how it infects your device, the warning signs to look for, and how to remove it completely. We’ll also provide some tips on protecting your device from similar threats in the future, so you can browse with peace of mind.
What is the Altruistic virus?
To be altruistic is to show concern for the happiness and welfare of others, even if it provides no advantage to yourself. If anything, the name “Altruistic Virus” is deeply ironic, suggesting that by giving up their system’s resources to help attackers mine cryptocurrency, a victim is somehow altruistic for doing so. This is despite the fact that the cryptomining happens without the victim’s knowledge or consent.
The Altruistics virus is a form of Trojan malware that quietly installs itself on your Windows PC. It typically sneaks onto your device as part of a software bundle, most likely from unofficial or otherwise shady download sources. The virus often poses as a legitimate program in an effort to evade detection and removal. However, its main purpose is to mine cryptocurrency using your computer’s hardware. This is known as cryptojacking.
The presence of the Altruistics virus on your computer means your CPU and GPU may be running at high or even full capacity. This is the case even when you’re not doing anything demanding, such as streaming, torrenting, or playing online games. The result is sluggish performance and overheating, which can significantly shorten the lifespan of your device.
To make matters worse, Altruistics can interfere with security tools such as Windows Defender and may even reinstall itself after you’ve tried to delete it. Uninstalling the program isn’t always enough to get rid of it. Fortunately, we know exactly how you can remove the Altruistics virus for good. To do so, continue to the step-by-step instructions below.
How to remove the Altruistics virus
Removing the Altruistics virus requires more than just uninstalling a program. The malware is carefully designed to stick around, even after you think it’s gone. Follow the steps below to remove the virus from your system and prevent it from further hijacking your device’s resources.
1. Uninstall Altruistics and any other suspicious programs
- Start by pressing Windows + R and typing appwiz.cpl before hitting Enter to open Programs and Features.
- Sort the list by installation date to find the most recently added software.
- Look for a program named Altruistics or anything you otherwise don’t recognize.
- Right-click on the program and select Uninstall before following the prompts to remove it.
2. End the altruistic process via Task Manager
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Look under the Processes tab for anything named Altruistics.exe, or anything unfamiliar that’s using a high CPU.
- Right-click the process and choose Open File Location before making a note of the folder path.
- Right-click again and select End Task.
3. Delete the remaining files
- Navigate to the folder you identified in step two.
- Delete the entire folder. If it won’t let you, reboot into Safe Mode. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, go to the Boot tab, and check Safe Boot > Minimal. Restart your PC.
- Try deleting the folder again in Safe Mode. Return to msconfig to uncheck Safe Boot and reboot normally.
4. Run a full system scan
- Sign up with a reputable antivirus if you don’t have one already. We recommend Norton 360, but Surfshark Antivirus and Intego Antivirus are equally capable.
- Download the Windows antivirus app and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your device.
- Log in to the antivirus app and start a full scan to identify any remaining threats. Follow any actions recommended by the antivirus program.
How to prevent future infections
Here are a few tips to avoid contracting an Altruistics virus in future:
Be careful with free software and downloads
Many users unknowingly install Altruistics by downloading free or pirated software from shady sources. Indeed, the virus is often bundled with system optimizers, media converters, or browser extensions. You can stay safe by only downloading software from official websites or reputable platforms like the Microsoft Store. Furthermore, you should always choose the “Custom” or “Advanced” install option so that you can opt out of any unwanted extras.
Keep Windows and security software up to date
Updates can be annoying when you’ve got other pressing things to do but they’re nonetheless essential for your computer’s security. Software vulnerabilities are constantly being identified and patched. Ignoring updates can result in malware such as Altruistics gaining access to your system. Be sure to enable automatic updates so you’re always running the latest versions. Updates extend beyond Windows to your antivirus and other programs.
Use real-time protection
Real-time protection actively monitors your system for suspicious behavior and can intervene to block threats before they cause harm. On Windows, you’ve already got Microsoft Defender pre-installed, which includes real-time protection from threats. However, there is also plenty of high-quality third-party antivirus software available. These include paid options, such as Norton Antivirus. Most free antivirus programs don’t include real-time protection, but Avast One Basic is one of the few exceptions.
Run regular scans
Even if you have real-time protection as your first line of defense, it’s still smart to run full scans on a regular basis. Some malware can evade initial detection, and a full scan is capable of uncovering what a quick scan might miss. You don’t need to have a good memory. Instead, you can schedule scans automatically within the settings of your antivirus app or by using Windows Task Scheduler.
Altruistics virus FAQs
Is Altruistics a real virus?
Altruistics is technically malware, and not strictly a virus. A virus replicates and spreads across systems. In contrast, Altruistics is usually installed as part of a software bundle. It behaves like a Trojan in that it pretends to be safe while actually performing hidden, malicious tasks. Although it may appear in your list of installed programs, it can perform unauthorized actions.
How did Altruistics get installed on my PC?
Most infected users are tricked into installing Altruistics onto their PC. This usually happens when downloading software from shady sources, be it a freeware website or torrent site. It’s often bundled with legitimate-looking programs and sneaks in as part of the installation process, particularly if you select the “Quick” or “Recommended” install. The malware relies on users not paying attention to checkboxes that authorize the installation of additional software.
Will Microsoft Defender remove Altruistics?
Microsoft Defender is capable of detecting and removing various forms of malware. These includes some versions of Altruistics. The trouble is that Altruistics virus may use evasion techniques to bypass Microsoft Defender or other antivirus software. Or it may be a newer variant that hasn’t been flagged yet.
As such, it’s not a bad idea to couple Microsoft Defender with a reputable third-party tool such as Malwarebytes which may catch things Microsoft Defender misses.
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