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Rocke Miner Removal — Identify and Delete Active Infections

Rocke Miner is a hacking weapon that can infect multiple hosts at once, our in-depth removal article shows how victims can remove active infections. Depending on its exact configuration it can perform various system changes and even deliver other infections.

Threat Summary

Name Rocke Miner
Type Miner
Short Description The Rocke Miner is a customizable cryptocurrency miner that can be expanded to include other malware modules as well.
Symptoms The victims may not experience any apparent symptoms of infection.
Distribution Method Freeware Installations, Bundled Packages, Scripts and others.
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Rocke Miner – Distribution Methods

The Rocke Miner is a malicious threat that appears to be coming from Chinese-speaking actors. The primary distribution method seems to be infecting various GIT repositories wit the dangerous code. The active campaigns have been active since April 2018 which has resulted in a long tracking of the hacker operators.

Rocke Miner code are being used in various toolkits, scripts and code embedded in applications that use GIT repositories to store, manage and download code. Other virus delivery methods include connecting to remote servers via HTTP connections and etc.

Other methods can still be used to spread the Miner instance. Honeypots detected that several attack campaigns attempt to utilize an exploit targeting Apache Struts vulnerable code.

Like other common miner threats Rocke can also be embedded in various forms, the most common ones are the following:

  • Infected Document Payloads — Macro code can be embedded in documents of different types: text documents, spreadsheets, presentations or databases. Whenever they are opened by the victim users a notification prompt will appear asking them to enable the built-in scripts. If this is done the infection will follow.
  • Application Installers — The Rocke Miner can be embedded in software installers for various applications: system utilities, creativity suites and etc. Usually the dangerous instances are created by taking the legitimate setup files from the vendor official sites and modifying them.

A common technique is to create fake download sites that make use of web elements and layouts that are hijacked from well-known Internet portals and vendor download pages. The visiting users can be coerced into interacting with them as they often use similar sounding domain names and security certificates.

Usually malicious scripts containing the redirect code to such sites may be posted by fake or hijacked profiles on community forums and social networks.

In some cases the hackers can employ malicious web browser extensions ,they are often found both on the official repositories and third-party download sites. The descriptions posted by the criminals promises the addition of new features or enhancing already existing ones. When the infections are complete the built-in instructions will change the default browser settings to redirect the users to a hacker-controlled page. After this is done the miner will be loaded onto the infected hosts.

Rocke Miner – Detailed Description

The malware operations begin with the command to download a customized cryptocurrency miner. Depending on the exact configuration a different tool can be used with a specific predesigned instructions set. In all cases the hacking tools will take advantage of the available system resources in order to carry out complex calculations. The posted results are reported to a special server (called the mining pool) which will in return transfer digital currency to the operators.

There are two main types of miners that are generally distinguished and the Rocke miner can take the form of either:

  • Browser-Based Miners — They are integrated into the web browsers and are active only when a specific site or function are accessed. The dangerous code can infect multiple browsers at once, effective restore may not always be possible as the miners can modify essential configuration files and settings.
  • Standalone Miners — The can be set as a standalone threat which can be set as a system service or an application. The Windows can set it up as a persistent threat by modifying Registry values, this will make it start every time the computer is powered on.

One of the recent campaigns was confirmed to carry other threats as well. The initial infection script downloads multiple virus infections to the victim hosts. The following malicious behaior was observed:

  • Malware Download Command — The initial command will download all threats that are made part of the infection campaign.
  • Shell Scripts Execution —They will set up the necessary environment — system modifications, creation of entries belonging to the threat and etc.
  • Mining Script Launch — Upon the execution of the miner code the relevant configuration file will be loaded and the machine will be automatically made part of the active mining pool that is under control of the malicious actors.

One of the acquired samples of Rocke miner has been found to correlate with a hacker tool that is offered on the hacker underground markets. It is offered for a low price, mines the Monero digital currency and has several advanced features. A typical example is the “idle mining” check — it monitors the system resources usage and executes only when there is no heavy load.

Further customizations can allow for the inclusion of Trojans that can set up a secure connection to a hacker-controlled server. They allow the criminal operators to overtake control of the target machines, as well sa spy on the victims and steal their sensitive files. In other cases they can deliver ransomware infections that encrypt files with a strong cipher and demand a ransomware recovery fee.

Other malicious behavior can include other system changes such as the following:

  • Files Manipulation — The engine can be configured into deleting System Restore Points and Shadow Volume Copies. This makes recovery very difficult unless a professional-grade solution is used.
  • Windows Registry Modifications — The malicious engine of the Rocke miner can manipulate strings belonging to the operating system. This can lead to overall performance issues, this is a common sign of a virus infection. When individual applicatons are targeted then certain functions can be entirely disabled.
  • Further Network Infections — Several related malware can scan the local area network for vulnerable hosts and test them for potential security holes. If a weakness is discovered then the Rocke miner can spread to them as well.

Remove Rocke Miner Trojan

If your computer system got infected with the Rocke Miner Trojan, you should have a bit of experience in removing malware. You should get rid of this Trojan as quickly as possible before it can have the chance to spread further and infect other computers. You should remove the Trojan and follow the step-by-step instructions guide provided below.

Martin Beltov

Martin graduated with a degree in Publishing from Sofia University. As a cyber security enthusiast he enjoys writing about the latest threats and mechanisms of intrusion.

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Preparation before removing Rocke Miner.

Before starting the actual removal process, we recommend that you do the following preparation steps.

  • Make sure you have these instructions always open and in front of your eyes.
  • Do a backup of all of your files, even if they could be damaged. You should back up your data with a cloud backup solution and insure your files against any type of loss, even from the most severe threats.
  • Be patient as this could take a while.
  • Scan for Malware
  • Fix Registries
  • Remove Virus Files

Step 1: Scan for Rocke Miner with SpyHunter Anti-Malware Tool

1. Click on the "Download" button to proceed to SpyHunter's download page.


It is recommended to run a scan before purchasing the full version of the software to make sure that the current version of the malware can be detected by SpyHunter. Click on the corresponding links to check SpyHunter's EULA, Privacy Policy and Threat Assessment Criteria.


2. After you have installed SpyHunter, wait for it to update automatically.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 1


3. After the update process has finished, click on the 'Malware/PC Scan' tab. A new window will appear. Click on 'Start Scan'.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 2


4. After SpyHunter has finished scanning your PC for any files of the associated threat and found them, you can try to get them removed automatically and permanently by clicking on the 'Next' button.

SpyHunter 5 Scan Step 3

If any threats have been removed, it is highly recommended to restart your PC.

Step 2: Clean any registries, created by Rocke Miner on your computer.

The usually targeted registries of Windows machines are the following:

  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
  • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
  • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce

You can access them by opening the Windows registry editor and deleting any values, created by Rocke Miner there. This can happen by following the steps underneath:


1. Open the Run Window again, type "regedit" and click OK.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 6


2. When you open it, you can freely navigate to the Run and RunOnce keys, whose locations are shown above.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 7


3. You can remove the value of the virus by right-clicking on it and removing it.
Remove Virus Trojan Step 8 Tip: To find a virus-created value, you can right-click on it and click "Modify" to see which file it is set to run. If this is the virus file location, remove the value.

Step 3: Find virus files created by Rocke Miner on your PC.


1.For Windows 8, 8.1 and 10.

For Newer Windows Operating Systems

1: On your keyboard press + R and write explorer.exe in the Run text box and then click on the Ok button.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 9

2: Click on your PC from the quick access bar. This is usually an icon with a monitor and its name is either “My Computer”, “My PC” or “This PC” or whatever you have named it.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 10

3: Navigate to the search box in the top-right of your PC's screen and type “fileextension:” and after which type the file extension. If you are looking for malicious executables, an example may be "fileextension:exe". After doing that, leave a space and type the file name you believe the malware has created. Here is how it may appear if your file has been found:

file extension malicious

N.B. We recommend to wait for the green loading bar in the navigation box to fill up in case the PC is looking for the file and hasn't found it yet.

2.For Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

For Older Windows Operating Systems

In older Windows OS's the conventional approach should be the effective one:

1: Click on the Start Menu icon (usually on your bottom-left) and then choose the Search preference.

Remove Virus Trojan

2: After the search window appears, choose More Advanced Options from the search assistant box. Another way is by clicking on All Files and Folders.

Remove Virus Trojan Step 11

3: After that type the name of the file you are looking for and click on the Search button. This might take some time after which results will appear. If you have found the malicious file, you may copy or open its location by right-clicking on it.

Now you should be able to discover any file on Windows as long as it is on your hard drive and is not concealed via special software.

Rocke Miner FAQ

What Does Rocke Miner Trojan Do?

The Rocke Miner Trojan is a malicious computer program designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.

It can be used to steal sensitive data, gain control over a system, or launch other malicious activities.

Can Trojans Steal Passwords?

Yes, Trojans, like Rocke Miner, can steal passwords. These malicious programs are designed to gain access to a user's computer, spy on victims and steal sensitive information such as banking details and passwords.

Can Rocke Miner Trojan Hide Itself?

Yes, it can. A Trojan can use various techniques to mask itself, including rootkits, encryption, and obfuscation, to hide from security scanners and evade detection.

Can a Trojan be Removed by Factory Reset?

Yes, a Trojan can be removed by factory resetting your device. This is because it will restore the device to its original state, eliminating any malicious software that may have been installed. Bear in mind, that there are more sophisticated Trojans, that leave backdoors and reinfect even after factory reset.

Can Rocke Miner Trojan Infect WiFi?

Yes, it is possible for a Trojan to infect WiFi networks. When a user connects to the infected network, the Trojan can spread to other connected devices and can access sensitive information on the network.

Can Trojans Be Deleted?

Yes, Trojans can be deleted. This is typically done by running a powerful anti-virus or anti-malware program that is designed to detect and remove malicious files. In some cases, manual deletion of the Trojan may also be necessary.

Can Trojans Steal Files?

Yes, Trojans can steal files if they are installed on a computer. This is done by allowing the malware author or user to gain access to the computer and then steal the files stored on it.

Which Anti-Malware Can Remove Trojans?

Anti-malware programs such as SpyHunter are capable of scanning for and removing Trojans from your computer. It is important to keep your anti-malware up to date and regularly scan your system for any malicious software.

Can Trojans Infect USB?

Yes, Trojans can infect USB devices. USB Trojans typically spread through malicious files downloaded from the internet or shared via email, allowing the hacker to gain access to a user's confidential data.

About the Rocke Miner Research

The content we publish on SensorsTechForum.com, this Rocke Miner how-to removal guide included, is the outcome of extensive research, hard work and our team’s devotion to help you remove the specific trojan problem.

How did we conduct the research on Rocke Miner?

Please note that our research is based on an independent investigation. We are in contact with independent security researchers, thanks to which we receive daily updates on the latest malware definitions, including the various types of trojans (backdoor, downloader, infostealer, ransom, etc.)

Furthermore, the research behind the Rocke Miner threat is backed with VirusTotal.

To better understand the threat posed by trojans, please refer to the following articles which provide knowledgeable details.

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