Updated on: September 22, 2024
Short on time? Here’s how to remove the Zeus virus:
- 1. Scan Your PC. Run a full disk scan with a reputable antivirus — Norton is my favorite.
- 2. Remove the Zeus Virus. Once the scan is done, let your antivirus remove every instance of the Zeus virus from your PC.
- 3. Keep Your PC Safe. The best way to protect yourself against further infections is to use a high-quality internet security suite. Norton is the best one out there — its flawless malware detection, excellent real-time protection, and useful extra features make it an excellent value. All plans come with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
The Zeus virus is a trojan that targets Windows computers. It most commonly spreads through phishing emails and drive-by downloads. The virus creates a backdoor into your system, allowing cybercriminals to steal your personal information, bank account details, passwords, and other sensitive data.
If you’ve been infected with the Zeus virus, you should use a secure antivirus scanner to remove it from your computer. I recommend Norton as the best tool for the job — you can get an affordable Norton plan for just $54.99 / year*, and all purchases come with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
It’s also vital to exercise caution and follow some basic internet safety strategies to avoid reinfection with the Zeus virus or other malware — read on to find out everything you need to know about removing the virus and staying protected.
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Step 1. Identify the Zeus Virus With Your Antivirus
Once you have a secure antivirus installed on your computer, run a full disk scan. If you have any USB storage devices plugged into your computer, scan these too.
A full scan is necessary as it will check for all kinds of malware — including the Zeus virus — in every single file, folder, and storage device attached to your computer. Sometimes malware files multiply and hide in multiple locations, so a full disk scan ensures you catch everything. This scan will also be able to identify any other malware you might not know about that’s also infecting your system.
Important: A full disk scan can take a long time to finish, but you shouldn’t interrupt it. Additionally, you shouldn’t cancel the scan when you see the Zeus virus appear in the infected file list — there might be other traces of this (or other) malware hidden somewhere on your device that the scan is yet to pick up.
When you get to the scan results screen, you can proceed to step 2.
Step 2. Remove the Zeus Virus Infection and Delete Any Other Infected Files
Go to the list of infected files identified and quarantined by your antivirus software, and delete them all. If you recognize a file in your quarantine list that you know 100% is safe (a false positive) you can whitelist it, but be careful — there’s no way of knowing which of your files has been modified by hackers. Generally, it’s best to just let the antivirus do its job.
Once you’ve removed all the infected files, you need to restart your computer. This is because there’s still a chance you have traces of the malware running in your system memory. Once you’ve rebooted your PC, run a second full disk scan using your antivirus.
When the second full scan is complete, once again look over the infected file list and remove any compromised files. Then, restart and scan your PC again. Keep doing this until you can finish a scan without any malware appearing in the infected file list.
Once you have a clean scan result, you should change all of your passwords. The best way to do this is using a secure password manager — 1Password is our top pick for 2024, and it has an excellent tool that allows you to automatically change lots of passwords with just one click. Changing your passwords is necessary because there’s a good chance hackers will have gained access to your login details through the Zeus virus. Changing your passwords will kick them out of any accounts they may have been able to access. You’re now ready to move on to step 3.
Step 3. Keep Your Device From Getting Re-Infected
Now that your PC is malware-free, it’s crucial to keep it that way by taking the right precautions. Here are some essential steps to protect your device.
- Keep Your Software, OS, and Drivers Up-to-Date: Regular updates are vital to protect your PC from vulnerabilities. Make sure Windows auto-updates are enabled and that all applications are set to auto-update to minimize risk.
- Don’t Download Suspicious Files: Avoid downloading anything from untrusted sources. If you receive unexpected attachments, even from known contacts, always verify before opening them.
- Secure Your Wireless Network and IoT Devices: Protect your home network and IoT devices with strong, unique passwords. A good password manager like 1Password can help you generate and store secure passwords. It’s also important to use a VPN (like
ExpressVPN ) when connecting to public networks to keep your data safe. - Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on all accounts where available to add an extra layer of security. Even if your password is compromised, 2FA will help prevent unauthorized access.
- Regularly Back Up Your Data: Regular backups ensure that you can recover your files if your PC is compromised. Use cloud storage solutions or external drives to keep your important data safe and secure.
- Use a Secure Antivirus Program: Keep a reliable antivirus program installed and running at all times. Programs like Norton offer comprehensive protection with features like real-time scanning, VPNs, and cloud backup to keep your system safe.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
3 Best Antivirus Programs for Removing the Zeus Virus
Quick summary of the best antiviruses for removing the Zeus virus:
- 🥇 1. Norton — Best antivirus for removing the Zeus virus, perfect malware detection.
- 🥈 2. Bitdefender — Excellent lightweight antivirus to remove all kinds of threats.
- 🥉 3. TotalAV — Beginner-friendly antivirus to remove all kinds of malware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zeus virus real?
Yes, the Zeus virus is a genuine and serious threat. It attacks PCs via drive-by downloads and malicious emails, and steals personal information and passwords from victims.
If you suspect you’ve been infected with the Zeus virus, you should immediately run an antivirus scan on your computer using a quality antivirus software. The steps above will show you how to do this.
Where did the Zeus virus start?
The Zeus virus was first officially recognized in 2007, when hackers used it to steal data from the United States Department of Transportation. Two years later, the FBI reported that the Zeus virus had successfully infected devices of individuals worldwide. Due to how quickly it was able to spread, we recommend always having a decent antivirus to protect your device and remove malware like the Zeus virus before hackers are able to steal your data and invade your online accounts.
Can the Zeus virus infect Macs?
No, the Zeus virus can’t infect devices running macOS. The Zeus trojan is designed to infect Windows users only. However, Mac users can still be victims of other malware threats and online cyber-attacks, so installing a reliable antivirus on your Mac is just as crucial. Intego is an antivirus program designed specifically for Macs, and it’s our top pick for the best antivirus for Macs in 2024.
It’s also worth noting that Mac users can receive fake Zeus virus alerts — these pop-ups have nothing to do with the virus itself, but they’re still a nuisance. A good Mac antivirus like Intego can help with removing these too.
How to remove the Zeus virus from Windows 10?
You should use a secure antivirus suite like Norton to remove the Zeus virus — no matter which version of Windows you’re running.
If you’ve been infected by the Zeus virus, follow the above steps to remove it.
