As I observed prior to Alok’s comments, I’m aware of the effects of disabling JavaScript.
As I implied, I’m not certain the problem is hidden cryptocurrency mining activity. But there’s certainly visible adware on the pages of the websites I describe. My suspicion about hidden cryptocurrency mining activity was because:
My CPU usage rate becomes very high the moment I land on these websites, and the web browser .exe processes (with JavaScript enabled) and very high CPU usage continue even after I close the web browser (with JavaScript enabled) after visiting these websites. The .exe processes stop (and the CPU usage rate drops back down to normal low levels) only when I end them using my Task Manager.
I’m aware browser-based cryptocurrency mining activity has made a comeback over the past year (see https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/browser-mining-cryptocurrency).
As explained previously, I’ve disabled JavaScript on IE, and that’s the browser I use to visit the websites with these problems. I use Firefox with JavaScript enabled to visit websites that don’t have these problems.
Hello Tony, If you will run AVG Deep scan with enable "PUAs" then it will scan the whole computer for potential unwanted applications/Malware/Ransomware. If your AVG Free Antivirus is active in your computer, then it will block the unknown/unwanted websites page, if any threat/any unknown/untrusted application is getting download automatically on your browser, then AVG will block them automatically. However, if the adware/ads is authorized by that website (which you're browsing for), then AVG will not block that Adware. If you disable JavaScript, many websites won’t work properly. Disabling JavaScript may break the ability to log in, post comments, or dynamically request content. Regarding Cryptocurrency mining scripts, I request you to share a screenshot of the pop up's/adware to assist you further. You can post the screenshot here on your topic. Click on 'Answer' & then click on the 'Image' [mountain symbol] & follow the instructions. Best regards, Alok.
Thanks for your response. I’ve done as you said, and the Deep Scan detected no threats. But what I’m wondering is if AVG AntiVirus Free detects and blocks cryptocurrency mining scripts in web browsers. The problem I described before continues despite the Deep Scan, and I now think my only solution might be to disable JavaScript in Firefox too as I had done in IE some months ago. But as I said, this will mean not experiencing the websites I visit fully.
So please: can AVG AntiVirus Free detect and block cryptocurrency mining scripts in web browsers during web browsing sessions? Or will it only scan for potential unwanted applications (PUAs) installed on my computer during a Deep Scan?
As I used to be able to visit the websites I mention using either IE or Firefox without problems maybe a year and more ago, I imagined hidden crytocurrency mining malware on those websites must be causing the problems, as I understand they’ve made a strong comeback over the past year. From what you say, I’m now convinced the problems are in the pop ups/adware/scripts that are in the websites I visit and have been authorized by them.
Unfortunately, so many websites now have such pop ups/adware/scripts.
A few months ago, I sent feedback to the public editor of one of the news websites I visit frequently to let him know the adware on their site was using up all my memory and making it hard to access their webpages. He said he’d forwarded my feedback to their digital editor, but the problem has continued.
Considering all the above, it seems my solution is to disable JavaScript when visiting such websites.
As Alok said, If you disable JavaScript, many websites won’t work properly. Disabling JavaScript may break the ability to log in, post comments, or dynamically request content and you cannot access most of the websites.
Please provide the screenshot of the Cryptocurrency mining scripts to check and assist further.
As I described in one of my previous posts, when I browse, my browser slows down, and when I visit certain websites, my CPU usage increases to 100% or close to that, which wasn’t happening a year ago or more. Even after I close the browser, some browser .exe processes continue running (according to my Task Manager) and do not stop unless I end them using my Task Manager. Regarding IE, I disabled JavaScript some months ago, but though this addressed the problem, it means I don’t experience browsing fully. Regarding Firefox, I disabled Firefox e10s some months ago, but the problem continues. I now think hidden cryptocurrency mining might be the cause.
Question:Does AVG AntiVirus Free take care of hidden cryptocurrency mining adware, PUAs, and malware in web browsers?
Yes, AVG can detect malware, adware and unwanted programs on your PC. I would request you to enable the following setting in your AVG program and run a deep scan to detect and remove any PUAs and malware programs.
1. Open AVG Anti Virus Free. 2. Click on Menu -> Settings. 3. Click General. Select the option "Scan for Potentially unwanted applications".
Then click on clog wheel next to "Scan computer" on main interface, select Deep scan.
Yes, AVG can detect malware, adware and unwanted programs on your PC. I would request you to enable the following setting in your AVG program and run a deep scan to detect and remove any PUAs and malware programs.
1. Open AVG Anti Virus Free. 2. Click on Menu -> Settings. 3. Click General. Select the option "Scan for Potentially unwanted applications".
Then click on clog wheel next to "Scan computer" on main interface, select Deep scan.
As I observed prior to Alok’s comments, I’m aware of the effects of disabling JavaScript.
As I implied, I’m not certain the problem is hidden cryptocurrency mining activity. But there’s certainly visible adware on the pages of the websites I describe. My suspicion about hidden cryptocurrency mining activity was because:
My CPU usage rate becomes very high the moment I land on these websites, and the web browser .exe processes (with JavaScript enabled) and very high CPU usage continue even after I close the web browser (with JavaScript enabled) after visiting these websites. The .exe processes stop (and the CPU usage rate drops back down to normal low levels) only when I end them using my Task Manager.
I’m aware browser-based cryptocurrency mining activity has made a comeback over the past year (see https://www.symantec.com/blogs/threat-intelligence/browser-mining-cryptocurrency).
As explained previously, I’ve disabled JavaScript on IE, and that’s the browser I use to visit the websites with these problems. I use Firefox with JavaScript enabled to visit websites that don’t have these problems.