# Claude Code flags crypto miner running on developer’s Mac

Digest AI · Agents & Tools · published 2026-10-19T11:36:20Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/claude-code-flags-crypto-miner-running-on-developers-mac

## Summary

A developer using the Claude Code AI coding assistant noticed unusually high temperature readings from a Mac and asked the agent to examine the raw sensor data. Claude responded that the machine was running a crypto‑mining program called xmrig, using about 1175% CPU across roughly 12 cores and pushing the CPU temperature to 112 °C. The miner had been added to the Mac’s startup items on August 29, which explained the persistent overheating.

Claude offered to stop the startup entry, terminate the miner and move its files to a quarantine folder. The developer, who posts as UntilHEX on Reddit, reported that Claude could not delete one file due to an access issue, so they removed it manually. After the cleanup, a Malwarebytes scan was run to verify that the miner was gone. The Redditor confirmed that the system behaved normally after the intervention.

## Key points

- Claude Code detected xmrig crypto miner using about 1175% CPU across roughly 12 cores on a Mac.
- The miner caused CPU temperatures up to 112 °C and had been set to run at startup since August 29.
- The developer manually deleted one file after Claude offered to quarantine the miner; Malwarebytes later scanned the system.

## Why it matters

Shows AI coding assistants can spot and help remediate malware, expanding AI’s role in system security and maintenance.

## Sources

1. [Claude Code AI agent caught a crypto miner hiding on a developer’s overheating Mac](https://tomshardware.com/tech-industry/cryptomining/claude-code-ai-agent-caught-a-crypto-miner-hiding-on-a-developers-overheating-mac-xmrig-task-was-hogging-about-1175-percent-cpu-roughly-12-cores-pushing-temps-to-112-degrees) (Tom's Hardware, 2026-10-19)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Claude Code flags crypto miner running on developer’s Mac", 19 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/claude-code-flags-crypto-miner-running-on-developers-mac

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