In certain situations, you will discover the use of the proverb ‘ignorance is bliss’. However, it can also get you into trouble, especially when you dabble with technology. These days, hackers have become sinister, preying on unsuspecting and unknowing victims. They have ways to convince you to provide your sensitive data. With the details they get, they can steal your money or your identity.

One of the schemes that hackers use is the ‘Windows detected the ZEUS Virus’ alert. This message pops out while a user is browsing the web. It prompts them to call a supposed ‘support number’ to resolve the problem.

If you see this message, the first thing you should do is to stay calm. Moreover, do not follow what the prompt instructs you to do. There is no need to panic because this malicious message is not something you should worry about. In this post, we will teach you how to get rid of the ZEUS virus.

What’s the Windows Detected the ZEUS Virus Alert?

The important thing you should know is that the ZEUS virus is nonexistent. It is true that your computer is possibly infected with malware, but it is not as serious as the message illustrates it to be. The truth is, the ‘Windows detected the ZEUS Virus’ prompt is adware that you unknowingly installed on your computer. Also known as browser hijacker, adware entities like the ZEUS virus alert have permeated the Internet. It is not uncommon for people to encounter threats like this. That said, you can still get rid of it.

So, what if Windows detected the ZEUS virus? As we’ve mentioned, you should not panic and call the so-called ‘support number’ provided by the hacker. What you need to do is follow the cleanup process we’ll provide in this article.

First Step: Removing Suspicious Programs via the Control Panel

The first step in the cleanup process is to inspect the list of programs installed on your computer. Pay close attention to the unrecognized and peculiar applications you find. Most of the time, users add them to their computers or browsers unknowingly because these programs are hidden within other installers. So, we recommend that you check your Control Panel to know if there are malicious applications running on your PC. To proceed, follow the instructions below:

  1. On your taskbar, click the Search icon.
  2. Now, type “Control Panel” (no quotes), then hit Enter.
  3. Click the drop-down list beside View By.
  4. Now, select Uninstall a Program.
  5. Look for any untrusted or suspicious programs.
  6. Right-click the application, then select Uninstall from the options.
  7. Restart your computer, then move on to the next step.

Second Step: Scanning Your Computer Using Windows Defender

Now, the next step is to perform a deep scan of your system and files, using Windows Defender. Here are the steps:

  1. On our keyboard, press Windows Key+S.
  2. Inside the Search box, type “Windows Defender” (no quotes).
  3. Select Windows Defender Security Center from the results.
  4. Click Virus & Threat Protection, then select the ‘Run a new advanced scan’ link.
  5. Choose Windows Defender Offline Scan.
  6. Remember to save all your open files because the process involves restarting your computer.
  7. Once you’re ready, click Scan Now.

Third Step: Removing Adware and Threats

After getting rid of viruses or third-party applications on your PC, you need to get rid of adware that infected your browser. Browser hijackers come in various shapes and sizes, with adware toolbars as their common form. What they do is replace your default search engine with ad-ridden items. When you click them, you will be redirected to dodgy websites or you will see the ‘Windows detected the ZEUS virus’ alert.

What should you do if the browser hijacker is still there despite performing a deep scan with Windows Defender? Well, you should know that although Windows 10’s built-in anti-virus is reliable, it can still miss complex threats and malware. So, you need a more powerful security tool that will fix the problem at its core. There are many anti-virus programs out there, but Auslogics Anti-Malware is among the most comprehensive and dependable options.

Auslogics Anti-Malware checks your system memory for malicious programs that could be running in the background. It will also spot cookies that track your activity and collect your personal data. Aside from that, it scans browser extensions and gets rid of adware that may lead you to suspicious websites. What’s more, it is designed not to conflict with Windows Defender. So, you can use it alongside your main anti-virus for optimum security.

Fourth Step: Reconfiguring Your Browser Settings

After your browser got infected by adware, its settings were also modified. Keep in mind that these settings won’t be restored on their own. So, you need to bring back your browser to its default settings. If you neglect doing this final step, the malicious adware will continue to torment you while you browse the web. Of course, we do not want that to happen.

Do not forget to delete all locally cached files since it is likely that they have been corrupted. You can opt to reinstall your browser, but for the meantime, bringing it back to its default settings will suffice. We’ve included the steps for popular web browsers:

For Chrome users

  1. Launch Chrome.
  2. Go to the upper-right corner of the browser, then click the More Options icon. This should be the three, vertically aligned dots.
  3. Select Settings from the options.
  4. Scroll down, then click Advanced once you see it.
  5. Now, you need to go to the Reset and Clean Up section. Click the ‘Restore settings to their original defaults’ option.
  6. Select Reset.

For Firefox Users

  1. Launch Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Click the Menu icon at the upper-right corner of the browser. It looks like three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other.
  3. Select Help from the options, then click Troubleshooting Information.
  4. Click Refresh Firefox.

For Microsoft Edge Users

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Go to the upper-right corner of the browser, then click the three horizontally aligned dots (Menu icon).
  3. Under Clear Browsing Data, click Choose What to Clear.
  4. Select all the boxes, then click Clear.
  5. Restart Microsoft Edge.

If the ‘Windows detected the ZEUS Virus’ alert still shows up, we suggest reinstalling your browser. The process will take a few minutes, and it will help you get rid of the persistent prompt.

Do you have other suggestions for removing malicious adware?

Share your ideas in the comments below!