Altrustix is a crypto-miner Trojan, which basically means it sneaks onto your computer and hijacks your system resources to mine cryptocurrency for its creators. And no, you don’t get a cut. It also goes by Altrousik and Altruistics, but no matter the name, it’s the same problematic malware.
This thing usually finds its way in through file bundles and automatic downloads, meaning you don’t even realize it’s there until your system slows to a crawl. Once inside, it drains CPU and RAM, leaving your computer sluggish, overheating, and prone to crashes. It won’t steal your data or delete files, but don’t let that fool you—it can open the door for even more malware to invade your system.
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The worst part? It doesn’t stop running. Your PC is working overtime, but instead of benefiting you, it’s lining some scammer’s pockets. Removing it isn’t impossible, but it’s not exactly beginner-friendly. Manual removal involves technical steps that can get tricky fast. If you want an easier, more reliable fix, an automated removal tool like SpyHunter 5 can wipe it out quickly and efficiently.
Bottom line? Don’t ignore it. The longer Altrustix runs, the more it wrecks your system’s performance and leaves you vulnerable to even bigger threats. If you’ve got it, get rid of it—ASAP.
Altrustix Removal Tutorial
Let’s start with the low-hanging fruit. Sometimes, getting rid of Altrustix malware is as simple as cleaning up a few files and uninstalling a suspicious program. If you’re lucky, this might be all it takes to fix your system. And even if these steps aren’t enough, they still serve as a good starting point for the more advanced steps that come next.
- First, head over to your Downloads folder (you’ll find it under This PC > Downloads). Malware like Altrustix often sneaks onto your system as an installer or compressed file.
- Look for anything suspicious, especially files with names you don’t remember downloading. If you see something sketchy, delete it immediately.
- Next, go into your Settings by clicking the Start button and selecting Apps. Sort your installed programs by installation date – this is a great way to spot anything new that appeared on your system without your knowledge.
- If a program looks unfamiliar or out of place, uninstall it. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove it completely.
- Now navigate to
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Programsand look for any folders related to Altrustix. - If you find one, delete it. Then, restart your computer to make sure any changes take effect.
If Altrustix is still hanging around after these steps, don’t worry – this was just the warm-up. Now, we dig deeper.
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Before You Begin: Something to Keep in Mind
The following guide is designed to be as user-friendly as possible, yet there are still steps that require some amount of technical experience. In case you struggle with these steps or if you don’t have the spare time to go through the entire guide, I recommend choosing to use SpyHunter 5 as an alternative solution. This powerful anti-malware tool, linked on this page, can take care of Altrustix in only a couple of minutes.
How to Remove the Altrustix Virus
To be able to find and delete all files in your system that are linked to Altrustix, you’ll need two things first: to make the hidden files and folders on your PC visible and to install a small app called LockHunter that will help you delete the more stubborn ones.
To reveal the hidden files and folders, open Folder Options (just search for it in the Start menu), click the View tab, and check Show hidden files, folders, and drives. Hit Apply and OK. Now, nothing can hide from you.
Next, download LockHunter and install it. The tool is totally free and it can unlock and delete stubborn files that refuse to go quietly. Some malware programs make themselves undeletable, but LockHunter can force them out. Install it now – you’ll likely need it in the next steps.
Video walkthrough for this step:
With these preparations done, it’s time to shut down Altrustix’s operations for good.
Get Rid of Altrustix Background Processes
The first stage of the removal process is to hunt down and deal with any rogue processes linked to Altrustix.
Since this malware is only one iteration in a group of virtually identical rogue programs, you may see processes with other names like Altrousik, Altrsik, Altruistics, etc. These are all the same thing, so if you see anything like this (or any other suspicious processes), be sure to get rid of them. Here’s how it’s all done:
To stop Altrustix in its tracks, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
If Task Manager opens in compact mode, click More Details to see the full list of active processes. Sort by CPU or Memory usage, then look for anything unusual. Again, you might see Altrustix, but the rogue processes might also be listed under a different name – be vigilant.
Found something suspicious? Right-click it and select “Open File Location.” Then delete everything in that folder. If they refuse to go, use LockHunter: right-click the file, choose What’s Locking It?, then force delete it.
Once the folder is gone, return to Task Manager, select the process, and click End Task to kill it.
Repeat the same steps for any other suspicious processes that may still be running in the Task Manager. This ensures Altrustix isn’t running while you work on fully removing it.
Video walkthrough for this step:
How to Delete Persistent Files with Lock Hunter
Delete Altrustix Virus Files
Multiple directories in your system likely contain Altrustix files, so even though you deleted the file location folders of the rogue processes, there are still other locations you need to check. Below, I’ve shown the ones where you are most likely to encounter more rogue data.
To wipe it out completely, check these locations:
- Startup Folders
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\StartupC:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
Delete everything except desktop.ini (it’s harmless).
- Program Files Directories
C:\Program FilesC:\Program Files (x86)
If you spot a folder related to Altrustix, delete it.
- AppData Directories
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\ProgramsC:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs
Any suspicious files here? Get rid of them.
- Temporary Files
Altrustix may have dumped extra files into your Temp folder. OpenC:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Temp, select everything inside, and delete it all. It’s safe to do so.
After clearing out these directories, empty your Recycle Bin to make sure nothing is left behind.
Get Rid of Altrustix Scheduled Tasks
Most malware nowadays creates scheduled tasks in the system that run independently and aren’t affected by the malware’s deletion. These tasks are actually there to automatically launch the rogue program or even reintroduce it into the system after it’s been deleted. You need to take care of those tasks if you want the Altrustix removal to be full and definitive.
You must search for the Task Scheduler in the Start Menu and open it from there.
Expand the Task Scheduler Library and look through the tasks. Check the Actions tab to see what each task is running. If you find one linked to a suspicious executable, take note of its file path, delete the task, and then go to that file’s location to remove it.
At this point, Altrustix should be severely crippled, if not completely gone. But there’s one last place it could be hiding…
Video walkthrough for this step:
Uninstall the Altrustix Malware App Through the Windows Registry
When dealing with any type of malware, including Altrustix, it’s necessary to check the Registry and perform a cleanup to get rid of any residual malware data or settings. This step is important, but you must be careful because deleting something you aren’t supposed to could cause issues in the system.
If you don’t think you can handle this yourself, consider letting SpyHunter 5 handle it. If you are confident you’ve got this, here’s what to do:
Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Press Ctrl + F and search for “Altrustix”. Delete every entry you find. Then also run searches for Altrousik, Altrsik, and Altruistics and delete relevant entries. Always search again for the same query after you delete something to confirm there’s nothing more left.
Now manually check these registry keys for suspicious entries:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceHKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunHKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnceHKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\RunHKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\RunHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServicesOnceHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\SetupHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services
Click each key, check its contents on the right, and if you see any entries linked to Altrustix, delete them. Here, you must not delete the keys on the left, only suspicious values on the right.
Once you’re done, restart your computer.
Video walkthrough for this step:
Finalizing Altrustix the Removal Process
To ensure no residual traces of Altrustix linger, perform one last check using the Command Prompt:
Open the Start Menu, type cmd, and run it as an administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter:
sc delete altrustix
If successful, you’ll see a confirmation message indicating the service has been removed.
Now, restart your computer to apply the changes. After rebooting, monitor your system for unusual behavior. If you experience lingering issues, consider running a malware scan with a trusted security tool like SpyHunter 5 for additional verification.
Final Check: Is Altrustix Really Gone?
After rebooting, take a few minutes to observe your system. If everything seems normal—no weird processes running, no unexpected pop-ups—you’re likely in the clear.
For extra peace of mind, open your browser settings and check for any unwanted extensions or redirects. If you see anything that shouldn’t be there, remove it.
How to Stay Malware-Free in the Future
Now that you’ve kicked Altrustix off your system, let’s talk prevention.
- Enable “Ask where to save” for downloads. This prevents malware from sneaking onto your system without your permission.
- Keep your system updated. Many malware infections exploit old vulnerabilities. Install updates as soon as they’re available.
- Use a trusted antivirus program. Regular scans can catch threats before they become a problem.
- Be cautious with downloads and links. If something feels off, it probably is. Trust your instincts.
Wrapping Up: You Took Control—Keep It That Way
By following this guide, you’ve not only removed Altrustix but also gained valuable skills in recognizing and handling malware threats. Consider this a win—you’ve taken control of your system and learned how to protect it.
Moving forward, stay alert, question the suspicious, and trust your judgment. Your digital security is in your hands, and now, you know exactly what to do to keep it that way.
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