How to remove zEus Stealer

What is zEus Stealer

zEus Stealer, also known as Zeus, is a sophisticated malware toolkit that has been a significant threat in the cybersecurity landscape since its first detection in 2007. This malware primarily targets personal and financial information, making it a formidable tool for cybercriminals. Zeus was initially identified as a banking Trojan aimed at stealing banking credentials through keystroke logging and man-in-the-browser attacks. Over the years, it has evolved to include capabilities such as forming botnets and installing ransomware like CryptoLocker. The malware’s adaptability has allowed it to remain a persistent threat, with variants affecting not only PCs but also mobile devices like those running on Symbian, BlackBerry, and Android platforms. The zEus Stealer is a multi-faceted malware that poses significant risks to personal and financial security. Understanding its methods of infection, its capabilities, and how to remove it are essential for maintaining cybersecurity. Regular vigilance and the use of robust cybersecurity measures are critical in combating this persistent threat.

How zEus Stealer infected your system

The primary infection methods for zEus Stealer are through phishing emails and drive-by downloads. Cybercriminals send emails that mimic legitimate sources, tricking users into clicking on malicious links or attachments. Additionally, visiting compromised websites can lead to automatic malware downloads without the user’s knowledge. Once installed, zEus embeds itself deeply within the system, often modifying registry entries and internet settings to ensure it runs at system startup.

1. Download zEus Stealer Removal Tool
2. Use Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove zEus Stealer
3. Use Autoruns to remove zEus Stealer
4. Files, folders and registry keys of zEus Stealer
5. Other aliases of zEus Stealer
6. How to protect from threats, like zEus Stealer

Remove zEus Stealer manually

Manual removal of zEus Stealer by inexperienced users may become a difficult task because it does not create entries in Add/Remove Programs under Control Panel, does not install browser extensions, and uses random file names. However, there are pre-installed instruments in the Windows system, that allow you to detect and remove malware without using third-party applications. One of them is Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. It comes with Windows Update in Windows 11, 10, 8. 8.1. For older operating system you can download it here: 64-bit version | 32-bit version.

Remove zEus Stealer using Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

1. Type mrt in the search box near Start Menu.
2. Run mrt clicking on found item.
3. Click Next button.
4. Choose one of the scan modes Quick scan, Full scan, Customize scan (Full scan recommended).
5. Click Next button.
6. Click on View detailed results of the scan link to view the scan details.
7. Click Finish button.

Remove zEus Stealer using Autoruns

zEus Stealer often sets up to run at Windows startup as an Autorun entry or Scheduled task.

1. Download Autoruns using this link.
2. Extract the archive and run Autoruns.exe file.
3. In Options menu make sure there are checkboxes near Hide Empty Locations, Hide Microsoft Entries, and Hide Windows Entries.
4. Search for suspicious entries with weird names or running from locations like: C:\{username}\AppData\Roaming.
5. Right-click on suspicious entry and choose Delete. This will prevent the threat to run at startup.
6. Switch to Scheduled Tasks tab and do the same.
7. To remove files themselves, click on suspicious entries and choose Jump to Entry…. Remove files or registry keys found.

Remove files, folder and registry keys of zEus Stealer

zEus Stealer files and folders


{randomname}.exe


zEus Stealer registry keys


no information


Aliases of zEus Stealer

How to protect from threats, like zEus Stealer, in future

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove zEus Stealer. However, if you got infected with zEus Stealer with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from zEus Stealer on all levels (browser, e-mail attachments, Word or Excel scripts, file system) we recommend a leading provider of internet security solutions – BitDefender. Its solutions both for home and business users proved to be one of the most advanced and effective. Choose and get your BitDefender protection via the button below: