What Is SystemMonitor.exe?

SystemMonitor.exe is an executable file developed by Moo0 Software. It is a system process that monitors the Moo0 System Monitor app.

In general, .exe files are executable and must be investigated thoroughly as they can damage your computer if they go rogue or designed with malicious intent. The .exe extension indicates that the file is executable for the MS Windows OS. Viruses are also transmitted using executable files. Therefore, it is important to verify the source of an executable file before running it.

This is the purpose of this article, to check whether SystemMonitor.exe is a legitimate file that won’t compromise your safety and the health of your system if run.

Is SystemMonitor.exe a Virus?

Malicious programs can disguise as legitimate processes. This helps the developers hide their programs within the system and not be detected by anti-malware security software. Moreover, the idea also enables cybercriminals to deceive users into thinking they are getting legitimate software while installing a masked version that has different intentions. So, how do you identify if you are dealing with the SystemMonitor.exe virus version or a legitimate one?

For starters, SystemMonitor.exe is not a harmful process if developed by Moo0. In fact, it is designed to measure the performance of hardware, software services, and applications on your PC. You can also create a log using System Monitor in Windows.

However, if the developer is unknown, then the chances of it being a virus are high. If you experience high CPU or GPU usage from this process, you must do an investigation as soon as possible.

When you want to identify if the process is legit or a virus, start by checking its location. Confirm that the file’s location is C:Program Files\(x86)Moo0SystemMonitor. To confirm the legitimacy of the file, you must launch Task Manager, and then click the columns field before adding Verified Signer. Check the value of the Verified Signer for the SystemMonitor.exe process. If it is indicated as Unable to verify, it means you are dealing with a malicious file.

Should SystemMonitor.exe Be Removed?

Many hints can indicate that the type of SystemMonitor.exe file needs to be removed or not. For instance, if the process is consuming high CPU power, then it must be removed immediately. You can stop the SystemMonitor.exe process by uninstalling the app associated with the file. If it is a malicious file posing as SystemMonitor.exe, you will need a trusted anti-malware security software to get rid of it.

You can also check if the SystemMonitor.exe process is causing high CPU usage by opening the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Escape keys simultaneously. Go to the process of interest and check under the CPU column. It should be less than 1%. You can also check if disk usage is high. If you suspect you are dealing with malicious crypto-mining software, in the Task Manager, check under the Network column.

If the SystemMonitor.exe process you are dealing with is rogue, you will have to follow the removal process below.

1. If the spoofed SystemMonitor.exe file version came through a program, there must be an uninstaller file linked to it. Check for the uninstaller file located in a directory similar to C:Program Files>Moo0>Moo0 System Monitor >System Monitor> SystemMonitor.exe_uninstall.exe, and run it.
2. If the SystemMonitor.exe gets installed via the Windows Installer, you should press Windows + I keys to launch system Settings, and then select Apps. Identify the program you wish to remove, click on it, and then select the Uninstall button.
3. Once you have done that, press the Windows key and type SystemMonitor.exe or Moo0 System Monitor into the text field. Hit the Enter key. Right-click on the program and select the Uninstall option.
4. Press Ctrl + Shift + Escape to launch Task Manager. Look for the SystemMonitor.exe process. Right-click on it, and then select Open file location.
5. Now, on the Task Manager, right-click again on SystemMonitor.exe and this time, click End task. Close the window and go to File Explorer where you opened the file location. Highlight the file and press Shift + Delete.
6. When done, restart the computer.

Now that you have removed the suspicious SystemMonitor.exe process, it’s time to clean the system from malicious content. The presence of a rogue SystemMonitor.exe process is an indication that the system has been exposed to malware attacks. Therefore, the chances of having more viruses on the computer are high. So, you must download and install a recommended anti-malware security suite. Run the program and select the option to perform a Full Scan. Once done, choose the recommended actions to Remove or Quarantine all the flagged content.

At this point, your system should be free from malicious content such as the SystemMonitor.exe virus. However, you may still experience performance issues. If that happens, it can be due to damaged or corrupt system files affected by viruses. To solve the issue, you must run an SFC scan. Here is how:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run dialog. In the text field, type cmd and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter. If prompted by the UAC, click Yes to give administrator privileges.
2. Now, inside the elevated Command Prompt, type sfc / scannow and hit the Enter button.
3. Wait for the process to run its course, and then restart the computer when done.

How Does SystemMonitor.exe Virus Spread?

In most cases, developers that spoof malicious programs to appear legitimate use various methods to spread malware. The most common methods include:

• Software bundling technique – This method allows cybercriminals to attach malware installers on freeware downloads. The additional installers are then set to trigger when the user selects the Recommended or Express installation process. To avoid such, you must always select the Advanced or Custom installation process to gain control over what gets installed. You should also download executable files from official sites or trusted distributors.
• Adware – This channel lets developers advertise their malicious content online using fake headlines, images, fake software updates, or misleading promotions. Once the unsuspecting user clicks on the ad, malware download can be triggered.
• Browser hijackers – These programs take over the user’s default browser, manipulate it in such a way that results shown are sponsored regardless of the input. The program will perform redirects to the site with malware content making the system vulnerable to attacks.

Conclusion

Since SystemMonitor.exe is a legitimate process, its removal process must be handled with care as it may lead to the malfunction of certain programs. A thorough investigation has to be carried out before removing the process. You must learn more about executable files and how to identify fake ones here.