How does Zeus Malware Work?
Zeus is a trojan horse as the name itself suggests it exploits vulnerabilities in the Windows systems and uses covert techniques to spread and infect unsecure devices. Cybercriminals send phishing emails containing malicious attachments and website URLs to the target users. These emails and attachments look legitimate. However, when the user opens attachments and clicks the link it leads to downloading malware in their system.
For example, when a user clicks the malicious link in the phishing email it redirects him to the spoofed websites conscripted with the malware. As soon as the user opens these tampered websites using their browsers malware automatically moves into their device.
In addition to this, the Zeus trojan also uses drive-by-downloads to infiltrate and install in a system. It hides in pirated software, shared files, and other types of files. When someone downloads these files and software Zeus also downloads in the system bundled with the files.
Malicious ads and fake popups are other means Zeus exploits to infiltrate a system. Attackers use social engineering methods to manipulate and trick users into following the prompts in the ads and notifications. Users take these requests to be true and eventually end up installing malware on their system.
Zeus trojan hides in the system directories mimicking legitimate file names. It creates new entries in the system registry that enable it to start every time the device starts. Along with this, it deploys rootkits to hide itself from antivirus software. When all is set it runs all the malicious operations inside the system that include data theft, keylogging, form grabbing, credential harvesting, and installing further virus loads inside the system. It can steal banking credentials, email accounts, and social media accounts.
How Attackers Exploit Zeus Malware?
Online hackers exploit Zbot, or simply ZeuS in different ways to run a wide range of malicious operations. They begin by infecting the vulnerable device using phishing campaigns, spoofed websites, and malicious ads.
Once the malware establishes itself in the target device it allows the hackers to gain control over the device and run hidden operations. It connects the compromised PC directly to the attackers using a remote Command-and-Control (C&C) server.
Using this remote control management hackers exfiltrate sensitive data like credit card numbers, bank account details, pins, and passwords. They instruct and command the malware to download additional malware and modules to promote further malicious activities. They can manipulate online transactions and launch man-in-the-browser attacks to change transaction details without triggering any security alert.
With the help of man-in-the-browser attacks hackers transfer funds from the victim’s account to the money mules. Money mules further transfer the stolen amount to the other accounts making the transactions and final destinations fully obscure and untraceable. This way they successfully embezzle the hard-earned money of people without leaving any trace.
Cybercriminals use Zbot to infect the target device to run botnet operations. They add the compromised device to the largest network of botnets and flood its servers with massive traffic to overwhelm and disable the device functions. They send spam emails to other devices to spread the malware and harvest credentials from them too.
Since Zbot acts as a modular it allows hackers to upload additional payload inside the device. That means attackers can further install ransomware, spyware, trojans, and adware in the target device. It leads them to steal more data from other devices and distribute device control over the botnet which further promotes the theft of money, confidential data, and unauthorized device access.
How to Prevent Zeus Malware?
Zeus infection poses a serious internet security threat to internet users. One-click, and everything goes blank. You cannot afford to act carelessly when such a grave danger is lurking in the dark. It is highly important to stay awake and move cautiously while interacting with emails, URLs, attachments, ads, and popups. One mistake can cause you irreversible damage. Hence, here are some effective tips that help you protect against Zeus malware:
Use Up-to-Date Security Software
Download and install a robust antivirus software having cutting-edge features like real-time protection, behavior analysis, macrovirus heuristic, and browser security. Update your security program and run an in-depth virus scan. With the latest updates and real-time protection, you get remarkable protection against malware infections and virus presence in your device. It will keep your device clean, safe, and fortified.
Beware of Phishing Attempts
Remember phishing attacks are the primary channels cybercriminals use to inject Zeus malware into your device. It is highly recommended that you stay careful while clicking links, opening attachments, and downloading from unsafe websites. These are common ways hackers use to spread infection, compromise your device, and steal sensitive information along the way.
Secure Authentication
Use strong, unique, and long passwords to secure your access controls and online accounts. Use a combination of special characters, letters, numbers, and signs while composing passwords. Avoid using easily guessable terms like your house address, the place you live, or simply your name and 1234. Most importantly, you must enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) services that involve OTP, email, and calling to further secure access.
Monitor Financial Transactions
Keep an eye on your bank transactions. Check the transaction statements on a regular basis to look for unauthorized activities. Activate transaction alert services and notifications on your device to get immediate reports. If you see any unauthorized activity in your bank account then report the incident to the concerned authority. Call the customer representative and ask them to provide the details.
Keep Your Device Up-to-date
System vulnerabilities are the best friends of malware and viruses. Cybercriminals find these vulnerabilities and exploit them as a backdoor to infiltrate malicious programs in your device. You must fix these vulnerabilities to prevent cyberattacks and virus infections. Hence keep your device up-to-date downloading new updates as soon as they are made available. It will patch the underlying vulnerabilities in the operating systems, browsers, and software that enhances and adds to your overall cybersecurity.
Avoid Unsafe Websites
Do not click suspicious URLs in emails, messages, and documents. Attackers plant malicious links in spam emails and messages and lure their targets to take rash actions. These links redirect you to malicious websites implanted with malicious programs. You visit them and the malware slips into your device. Along with this, it is highly necessary that you avoid downloading anything from these unofficial websites as it can lead you to download trojan horses on your device. So, ensure the website is secure, trusted, and official before you proceed with your online activities.
Don't Click Ads
Ads are another malicious bait cyberciriminals use to lure a user into their trap and inject malicious programs into their system. When the user clicks the ad it leads him to the malicious website where they get infected with the malware program. Hence, beware of malicious ads when you see them on your screen. Don’t click them before knowing their source of origin.
Use Official Websites
Do not use third-party platforms including websites and web pages to download your software programs, apps, and other digital files. Cyberpunks create fake online sites to lure users into their trap and infect them with malicious programs. That’s why you should always go to the official sites to do your downloads, updates, and other information. Make sure you use trusted online sites such as Google Play Store and other trusted app stores to get your software and applications. It will keep you safe and protected from malicious sites and harmful applications.
What are the Signs of Zeus Malware Presence?
If your PC is infected with the Zeus malware then you will experience unusual system activities. Your system will behave in an unexpected way and it show the following signs:
- You will notice frequent application and system crashes during normal tasks.
- The system performance will become extremely slow and it will take more time to complete normal tasks.
- Malware constantly creates fake alerts and pop-ups about different issues in your system.
- The internet usage will go up on your device network even when you are not doing any intensive online work.
- Unauthorized connections and requests made to the outside servers and networks from your device.
- You are not able to use antivirus tools and access websites offering internet security.
- You will notice automatic changes to the default search engines and homepage settings.
- Zeus malware adds toolbars and extensions on your device to run its malicious operations.
- Automatic redirects to unfamiliar and unsafe websites when you are using your computer.
- Your passwords and User IDs are not working to give you access to your online accounts.
- New and unknown files and programs are running in your system directories and system background.
- Unauthorized transactions and money transfers in your bank accounts.
- Security alerts of login attempts and password change notifications of your bank account.
- Intensive usage of CPU, RAM, or high disk activity due to malicious operations in the background.
- Your antivirus software is generating security alerts about malware infections.
- Your system registry keys are changed and unknown entries are added to the system`s startup list.
What to do if You are Infected with the Zeus Malware?
If your PC is infected with Zeus malware, quick action is crucial to minimize data theft and prevent further damage. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Disconnect from the Internet
If it is confirmed that your device is infected with the Zeus malware then take immediate action to disconnect from the internet. It will cut the malware`s connection from the outside server. Black hats won’t be able to command and control the device activity from outside.
2. Enter Safe Mode
Restart your computer and enter into safe mode. In the safe mode, all the programs and operations become disabled except some essential processes that sustain basic system functionalities. Along with other programs it prevents the malware also from running malicious operations in the background.
3. Run In-depth System Scan
Use robust antivirus software with the latest updates to run an in-depth virus scan to detect and remove the Zeus malware hiding inside your operating system. Deep systems scan and analyze every nook and corner of your PC to find the hidden threat and remove it successfully. The latest and updated antivirus is more capable of identifying complex malicious programs that replicate legitimate file names to camouflage their presence in the device.
4. Remove Suspicious Programs and Files
If your system has any unwanted or suspicious files then take immediate action to remove it from the system. Go to the control panel > programs and features > select the files and remove them. Along with this, check for suspicious files in the task manager or startup tabs.
5. Update All Software
Removing vulnerabilities is highly essential to prevent cyberattacks and virus infections. Your system grows software vulnerabilities when they become old. Black hats find these vulnerabilities and use them to infiltrate malware in the device system. Vendors release security patches from time to time to fix these vulnerabilities and security flaws. Hence make sure to download these patches as soon as they are made available. It will enhance the overall security of the device and block the malware attacks successfully.
6. Reset All Passwords
Reset all the passwords of the critical and sensitive online and banking accounts. Zedbot uses man-in-the-browser attacks to harness sensitive data and login credentials. It uses keylogging and form-grabbing techniques to collect sensitive data from the user. Resetting the passwords will prevent Blackhats from exploiting the stolen credentials to access your accounts. Along with this make sure to enable multi-factor authentication service to double down the security of your critical access controls.
7. Monitor Financial Accounts
Check your bank statement to find out if there are any unauthorized transactions and money transfers to other accounts. If you find any, report the issue to the concerned authority and ask them to consider the account for the time being. Notify the state IT department and local cybercrime units to take immediate action on the current issue as soon as possible.
8. Reinstall Operating System
Factory reset the device and reinstall the operating system if it still shows unusual behavior, system settings, and unwanted changes. Always maintain data backup on external locations and cloud storage. You can use this backup to recover critical data when your device is infected with a malicious program. In worst-case scenarios when you have to factory reset your device and reinstall the windows on your device you can always go back to the data backup and recover all the important data from the storage device.
