You Have A ZEUS Virus Scam

What is You have a ZEUS virus?

"You have a ZEUS virus" is a fake error message displayed by a rogue website. It is very similar to Hacking Alert, Cyber Security Warning, Hard Disk Failure, and a number of other fake error messages. Users are redirected to this site by a number of potentially unwanted adware-type programs (PUPs).

These programs infiltrate the system during installation of regular apps. Following infiltration, adware-type apps deliver intrusive online advertisements, monitor users' web browsing activity and, in this case, cause unwanted browser redirects.

This fake pop-up error states that the system is infected with ZEUS malware and that closing the website will result in deletion of the hard drive. To prevent this situation and remove the malware, victims must contact a certified technician via a toll-free telephone number provided (+1-884-859-0337). Victims will then supposedly receive help in solving the issue.

This error is a fraud. The infection does not exist - cyber criminals (developers of the rogue site) attempt to trick victims into calling and paying for services that are not needed. As well as causing unwanted redirects, adware displays intrusive online advertisements (for example, banners, pop-ups, coupons, etc.).

To do this, it uses a 'virtual layer' - a tool that enables placement of third party graphical content on any site. Therefore, displayed advertisements often conceal underlying content of visited websites, thereby significantly diminishing the web browsing experience. Furthermore, these ads might lead to malicious websites - clicking them can result in high-risk computer infections.

Adware also records geo-locations, websites visited, pages viewed, search queries entered into search engines, Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, Internet service providers (ISP), and a number of other similar data types that might contain private details.

The data is shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals) who commonly misuse private details to generate revenue. This situation might cause serious privacy issues. You are strongly advised to uninstall adware-type applications immediately.

Threat Summary:

Name	ZEUS virus scam
Threat Type	Adware, Unwanted ads, Pop-up Virus
Symptoms	Seeing advertisements not originating from the sites you are browsing. Intrusive pop-up ads. Decreased Internet browsing speed.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers.
Damage	Decreased computer performance, browser tracking - privacy issues, possible additional malware infections.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Adware-type applications are often very similar. By offering a number of 'useful features', adware often gives the impression of legitimate software.

In fact, these apps are designed only to generate revenue for the developers. All claims to improve Internet browsing experience are false. Adware provides no significant value for regular users. FastoPlayer, HDWallpaper, Ghostify, and other similar adware, collects personally identifiable information, delivers intrusive online ads, and causes unwanted browser redirects.

How did adware install on my computer?

Some adware-type programs have an official download website, however, most are distributed using a deceptive software marketing method called "bundling" - stealth installation of potentially unwanted programs with regular (usually free) software. Users often skip most/all of the download and installation steps.

Bundled programs are intentionally hidden within the "Custom/Advanced" settings. By skipping this section, users expose their systems to risk of various infections.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

There are two simple steps you should take to prevent this situation. Firstly, closely analyze the download/installation processes using the "Custom" or "Advanced" settings. Secondly, all additionally-included programs listed for download/installation should be cancelled. The key to computer safety is caution.

Screenshot of a scam pop-up trying to convince computer users into believing that their computers are infected with a Zeus virus (scammers use (866)249-2994 phone number):

Text presented in this scam pop-up:

Security Warning
Windows Defender Alert: Zeus Virus
Detected in Your Computer!!
Please Do Not Shut Down or Reset Your Computer.

The following data will be compromised if you continue:
1. Passwords
2. Browser History
3. Credit Card Information
4. Local Hard Disk Files.

This virus is well known for complete identity and credit card theft. Further action through this computer or any computer on the network will reveal private information and involve serious risks.

Call Microsoft Technical Department (866) 249-2994 (Toll Free)

An updated variant of ZEUS virus scam (scammers use 1-844-612-7496 telephone number):

Text presented in "You have a ZEUS virus" error message:

WARNING! Your Hard drive will be DELETED if your close this page. You have a ZEUS Virus! Please call Support Now!. Call Toll-Free: 1-844-859-0337 To Stop This Process

Screenshot of another "You have a ZEUS virus" variant:

Text presented within this error message:

****Dont Restart Your Computer ****
Windows Detected ZEUS Virus, The Infections detected, indicate some recent downloads on the computer which in turn has created problems on the computer.Call technical support 1-844-859-0337 and share this code B2957E to the Agent to Fix This.

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▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is You have a ZEUS virus?
• STEP 1. Uninstall deceptive applications using Control Panel.
• STEP 2. Remove adware from Internet Explorer.
• STEP 3. Remove rogue extensions from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove potentially unwanted plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox.
• STEP 5. Remove rogue extension from Safari.
• STEP 6. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.

Adware removal:

Windows 11 users:

Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.

Windows 10 users:

Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.

Windows 7 users:

Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.

macOS (OSX) users:

Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.

In the uninstall programs window, look for any suspicious/recently-installed applications, select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".

After uninstalling the potentially unwanted program, scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components or possible malware infections. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.

Remove adware from Internet browsers:

Video showing how to remove potentially unwanted browser add-ons:

Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:

Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently-installed suspicious browser extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the zeus virus scam, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.

Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.

Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.

In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.

Click the Reset button.

Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, select these entries and click the trash can icon.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the zeus virus scam, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon  (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.

After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

Remove malicious plug-ins from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click "Extensions", in the opened window, remove all recently-installed suspicious browser plug-ins.

Optional method:

Computer users who have problems with zeus virus scam removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.

Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.

Select Troubleshooting Information.

In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.

In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.

Remove malicious extensions from Safari:

Make sure your Safari browser is active, click Safari menu, and select Preferences....

In the opened window click Extensions, locate any recently installed suspicious extension, select it and click Uninstall.

Optional method:

Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...

In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.

Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:

Click the Edge menu icon  (at the upper-right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons and click "Remove" below their names.

Optional method:

If you continue to have problems with removal of the zeus virus scam, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon  (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.

In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.

Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.

• If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.

Summary:

Commonly, adware or potentially unwanted applications infiltrate Internet browsers through free software downloads. Note that the safest source for downloading free software is via developers' websites only. To avoid installation of adware, be very attentive when downloading and installing free software. When installing previously-downloaded free programs, choose the custom or advanced installation options – this step will reveal any potentially unwanted applications listed for installation together with your chosen free program.

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