How to remove Cefutil.exe virus

Easy tips to delete Cefutil.exe

Cefutil.exe is a malicious executable file belongs to Trojan horse and is used for cryptojacking. The malicious file might get dropped on your system with some freeware applications. Once getting inside, it starts utilizing the maximum CPU resources to mine Bitcoin, Monero or other digital coins.

The Cefutil.exe file can be seen running on the Task Manager and is usually located in a subfolder of “C:\Program Files (x86)”—generally C:\Program Files (x86)\360\Total Security\Utils\cef\.  Its main feature is to consume high amount of system resource as it usually takes up to 20-30% of the CPU power.

If users remove the process by ending its task, it will restart the next time the Windows is rebooted as it is a virus that can create an auto-start entry of its own. In order to stop the malicious activities, the users would require removing the Cefutil.exe virus from their system using some reputable antivirus tool.

When Cefutil.exe installed, it immediately modifies new windows registry keys in order to boot up with the system. Additionally, the system becomes sluggish and some of the programs might not respond or open. Therefore, you won’t be able to use the PC as you in the normal condition.

Upon doing Cefutil.exe, you will ensure ending up all suspicious actions. However, before you start its removal, you should make ensure that it is actually a virus. The file could be related to the software software CefUtil Application by Qihoo 360 Technology Co. or QIHU 360 SOFTWARE CO. LIMITED.

The malicious file could sneak systems unnoticed

Most of the time, users are responsible for letting malicious files to their systems. Therefore, Cefutil.exe virus is mostly likely to infiltrate the system when users download certain illegal or corrupted program, install fake update from pop-up, install bogus add-on or browser extension from corrupted site, careless install freeware or shareware application.

Security experts remind users to stay vigilant and choose only credible sources for any software download and update. Keep this in mind that only official publishers’ sites include legit updates and program downloads.

However, if you download any freeware or shareware app, you should pay attention to its installation as well. Always opt for Custom/Advanced option instead of Quick/ Recommended settings. These settings allow you seeing additional downloads that might be some PUAs or cryto-currency miners.

Remove Cefutil.exe and all its malicious components

In order to stop all malicious activity of Cefutil.exe miner, you need to remove all its malicious components from the system. We do not recommend you opt for manual process for this. Deleting this file might not solve you the problem for the long term. The miner may consist of several related components that you need to remove or otherwise those components may install this executable and continue malicious activities.

We recommend you to perform Cefutil.exe removal automatically using some reputable antivirus tool. The software will detect the Trojan and delete it together with all associated files within the system. Therefore, you will have to look for the problem in the broader perspective and get rid of the malware instead of the single file.

Antimalware Details And User Guide

Click Here For Windows Click Here For Mac

Important Note: This malware asks you to enable the web browser notifications. So, before you go the manual removal process, execute these steps.

Google Chrome (PC)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the Menu button
• Select “Settings”. Scroll the mouse downward to choose “Advanced” option
• Go to “Privacy and Security” section by scrolling downward and then select “Content settings” and then “Notification” option
• Find each suspicious URLs and click on three dots on the right side and choose “Block” or “Remove” option

Google Chrome (Android)

• Go to right upper corner of the screen and click on three dots to open the menu button and then click on “Settings”
• Scroll down further to click on “site settings” and then press on “notifications” option
• In the newly opened window, choose each suspicious URLs one by one
• In the permission section, select “notification” and “Off” the toggle button

Mozilla Firefox

• On the right corner of the screen, you will notice three dots which is the “Menu” button
• Select “Options” and choose “Privacy and Security” in the toolbar present in the left side of the screen
• Slowly scroll down and go to “Permission” section then choose “Settings” option next to “Notifications”
• In the newly opened window, select all the suspicious URLs. Click on the drop-down menu and select “Block”

Internet Explorer

• In the Internet Explorer window, select the Gear button present on the right corner
• Choose “Internet Options”
• Select “Privacy” tab and then “Settings” under the “Pop-up Blocker” section
• Select all the suspicious URLs one by one and click on the “Remove” option

Microsoft Edge

• Open the Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots on the right corner of the screen to open the menu
• Scroll down and select “Settings”
• Scroll down further to choose “view advanced settings”
• In the “Website Permission” option, click on “Manage” option
• Click on switch under every suspicious URL

Safari (Mac):

• On the upper right side corner, click on “Safari” and then select “Preferences”
• Go to “website” tab and then choose “Notification” section on the left pane
• Search for the suspicious URLs and choose “Deny” option for each one of them

Manual Steps to Remove Cefutil.exe:

Remove the related items of Cefutil.exe using Control-Panel

Windows 7 Users

Click “Start” (the windows logo at the bottom left corner of the desktop screen), select “Control Panel”. Locate the “Programs” and then followed by clicking on “Uninstall Program”

Windows XP Users

Click “Start” and then choose “Settings” and then click “Control Panel”. Search and click on “Add or Remove Program’ option

Windows 10 and 8 Users:

Go to the lower left corner of the screen and right-click. In the “Quick Access” menu, choose “Control Panel”. In the newly opened window, choose “Program and Features”

Mac OSX Users

Click on “Finder” option. Choose “Application” in the newly opened screen. In the “Application” folder, drag the app to “Trash”. Right click on the Trash icon and then click on “Empty Trash”.

In the uninstall programs window, search for the PUAs. Choose all the unwanted and suspicious entries and click on “Uninstall” or “Remove”.

After you uninstall all the potentially unwanted program causing Cefutil.exe issues, scan your computer with an anti-malware tool for any remaining PUPs and PUAs or possible malware infection. To scan the PC, use the recommended the anti-malware tool.

How to Remove Adware (Cefutil.exe) from Internet Browsers

Delete malicious add-ons and extensions from IE

Click on the gear icon at the top right corner of Internet Explorer. Select “Manage Add-ons”. Search for any recently installed plug-ins or add-ons and click on “Remove”.

Additional Option

If you still face issues related to Cefutil.exe removal, you can reset the Internet Explorer to its default setting.

Windows XP users: Press on “Start” and click “Run”. In the newly opened window, type “inetcpl.cpl” and click on the “Advanced” tab and then press on “Reset”.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Press the Windows logo, type inetcpl.cpl in the start search box and press enter.  In the newly opened window, click on the “Advanced Tab” followed by “Reset” button.

For Windows 8 Users: Open IE and click on the “gear” icon. Choose “Internet Options”

Select the “Advanced” tab in the newly opened window

Press on “Reset” option

You have to press on the “Reset” button again to confirm that you really want to reset the IE

Remove Doubtful and Harmful Extension from Google Chrome

Go to menu of Google Chrome by pressing on three vertical dots and select on “More tools” and then “Extensions”. You can search for all the recently installed add-ons and remove all of them.

Optional Method

If the problems related to Cefutil.exe still persists or you face any issue in removing, then it is advised that your reset the Google Chrome browse settings. Go to three dotted points at the top right corner and choose “Settings”. Scroll down bottom and click on “Advanced”.

At the bottom, notice the “Reset” option and click on it.

In the next opened window, confirm that you want to reset the Google Chrome settings by click on the “Reset” button.

Remove Cefutil.exe plugins (including all other doubtful plug-ins) from Firefox Mozilla

Open the Firefox menu and select “Add-ons”. Click “Extensions”.  Select all the recently installed browser plug-ins.

Optional Method

If you face problems in Cefutil.exe removal then you have the option to rese the settings of Mozilla Firefox.

Open the browser (Mozilla Firefox) and click on the “menu” and then click on “Help”.

Choose “Troubleshooting Information”

In the newly opened pop-up window, click “Refresh Firefox” button

The next step is to confirm that really want to reset the Mozilla Firefox settings to its default by clicking on “Refresh Firefox” button.

Remove Malicious Extension from Safari

Open the Safari and go to its “Menu” and select “Preferences”.

Click on the “Extension” and select all the recently installed “Extensions” and then click on “Uninstall”.

Optional Method

Open the “Safari” and go menu. In the drop-down menu, choose “Clear History and Website Data”.

In the newly opened window, select “All History” and then press on “Clear History” option.

Delete Cefutil.exe (malicious add-ons) from Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and go to three horizontal dot icons at the top right corner of the browser. Select all the recently installed extensions and right click on the mouse to “uninstall”

Optional Method

Open the browser (Microsoft Edge) and select “Settings”

Next steps is to click on “Choose what to clear” button

Click on “show more” and then select everything and then press on “Clear” button.

Conclusion

In most cases, the PUPs and adware gets inside the marked PC through unsafe freeware downloads. It is advised that you should only choose developers website only while downloading any kind of free applications.  Choose custom or advanced installation process so that you can trace the additional PUPs listed for installation along with the main program.