Zbot Trojan from Zeus Family: Infecting your computer, spying on you, and stealing your personal information are just some of the nefarious activities that can be carried out by the Zeus Trojan. As a part of Zeus’ plan, your computer is also conscripted into a botnet, a network of computers that can be controlled remotely.
It was only in 2011 that the source code of Zeus was leaked, allowing anyone to use the malware as a template for their own malicious software. A number of Zeus-based malware strains have gone on to cause widespread damage and become infamous examples of malware in their own right.
What’s the deal with the Zeus Trojan?
There are many malicious components that work together to infect your computer with the Zeus Trojan. When you’re tricked into downloading and installing Zeus, it’s the same as any other Trojan malware. Once inside, it unleashes its malicious payload — just like the Greek legend of the soldier-filled wooden horse.
Zeus Appears on My Computer by What Means?
Both email and malicious downloads are primary means of infection for Zeus. People are tricked into downloading and opening malicious attachments by phishing attacks that appear to be legitimate emails. Once the attachments are opened, the Zeus-based malware is installed and then becomes the struggle to remove Zeus virus. Phishing emails that contain links to infected websites may also be found.
Alternatively, Zeus can be found in malicious online ads that, when clicked, install malware on a victim’s computer. It is possible for Zeus to infect your computer when you visit a website that has been infected, and it can also hide in legitimate downloads.
How to Prevent Infection with Zeus?
Even though the original Zeus Trojan is no longer a threat, its lingering influence can still be seen in today’s malware. Next is how to detect Zeus virus. To keep Zeus and his ilk from stealing your personal information, follow these guidelines.
- Use VPN software. It becomes imperative to care for your online security and that has been made possible by establishing virtual private networks (VPN) for all online usage. VPNs like VeePN that are easy to download provide safe and accessible online browsing, transactions especially in the case of banking. You can do a Windows VPN download or download for other OS as well. VPN is one of the best preventive measures to protect your device from malware and Trojans as VPN encrypts data.
- Become familiar with phishing scams. To trick you into downloading infected attachments or visiting unsafe websites, cyber attackers often pose as trusted contacts or institutions, like your bank. If you have a bad feeling about a particular email, don’t hesitate to delete it.
- Not only should you avoid downloading attachments from unknown sources, but also avoid clicking on links you don’t trust. If you’re sent an attachment or a link that you weren’t expecting, don’t open it or click on it. Turn your back on it and delete it.
- Don’t click on online ads. There is a practice known as malvertising in which online advertisements can infect your computer with malware. When you click on the ad, your device becomes infected. If you aren’t already using an adblocker or a secure browser, you may want to consider doing so.
- You should always keep your computer software up to date. Current software has the most up-to-date anti-malware protections, whereas older software is more susceptible to malware infection. It is possible for hackers to infect your device by exploiting flaws found in outdated software.
- The browser should not be used to store passwords. If malware has access to your browser, it’s easy for it to get in and find all of your passwords.
- Don’t store your master password in a password manager. A good password manager keeps your passwords safe and makes it easier to come up with passwords that are difficult to crack. In the event that your master password is stolen by malware like Citadel, all of your stored passwords are at risk of being compromised. Simply commit it to memory.
- You should only download licensed software from authorized vendors. Avoiding unofficial or unlicensed software can significantly lower your risk of contracting a Trojan. Torrents are alluring, but you can never be certain that the files you download are free of malware.
Antivirus software is essential. Antivirus software that is capable of detecting and blocking Zeus-based malware will keep your computer safe. In the event of an infection, your antivirus will quarantine and remove the malware.
What Does Zeus’ Do If It Gets Your Computer?
Zeus is open-source malware, so the results it has on your computer are up to you. It’s played two roles consistently throughout history:
- Get your hands on confidential information. Despite its reputation as a banking Trojan, Zeus can steal anything its owner wants it to: system data, passwords stored in the system, and login credentials for various online accounts.
- Build a bot network. Using a command-and-control (C&C) server, Zeus can receive additional instructions from its operator. The operator has the ability to take over the victim’s computer and install additional malware.
For a long time, Zeus was able to access users’ saved passwords through Internet Explorer’s Password Store feature. To obtain the victim’s username and password, Zeus would use browser-based keylogging or form-grabbers if it knew the victim was on a banking website.
Using keylogging and form-grabbers is a good way to keep track of what you’re typing and what you’re entering into online forms. As a result, the developers of Zeus never had to circumvent the safety measures in place on the banking websites they were targeting.
Additionally, Zeus can intercept legitimate websites and add additional forms to collect even more personal information from the operators.
What is the function of Zeus?
Zeus was originally intended to steal confidential financial data from banks and other financial institutions. In 2009, Zeus infected an estimated 3.6 million computers at Bank of America, NASA, Amazon, and many other organizations.
Zeus is a group of cybercriminals who use money mules to steal from their victims and then re-transfer the money to their own accounts. After stealing money, these mules would transfer it elsewhere, obfuscating its final destination, and since you don’t know it, it does not cross your mind to remove Zeus virus.
Remote access to machines infected by Zeus would also be available to the infected. Thus, the most notorious successor to Zeus, the Gameover ZeuS botnet, was born. Sending spam or phishing emails or launching DDoS attacks can all be accomplished by utilizing botnets.
The Zeus cybercrime ring was busted in 2010 with the help of the FBI, who apprehended over 100 suspects in the US, UK, and Ukraine. At that point, the group had stolen more than $70 million from Zeus victims.
What Is The Best Way To Remove Zeus Virus?
As soon as your computer gets infected, you should use a Trojan removal tool to remove the Zeus Trojan malware by focusing on how to detect Zeus virus. Remove Zeus virus by first downloading and running an anti-malware programme.
- Antivirus software from a trusted source should be installed on your computer.
- Restart your computer in Safe Mode after the installation to prevent any malware from accessing the internet.
- You can use your newly installed antivirus software to check your computer for malware, such as Trojans.
- Make sure to follow the instructions to remove any malware that is found.
With a trustworthy industry leader’s antivirus, you get a cutting-edge cybersecurity tool that is constantly updated to combat the latest malware threats. If you want to protect yourself from Zeus-based malware, you’ll need a cybersecurity tool that’s ready to respond.
