How to remove Zhong Stealer

What is Zhong Stealer

Zhong Stealer is a sophisticated piece of malware designed to infiltrate Windows systems and discreetly steal sensitive user information. It operates by utilizing various stealth techniques, ensuring it remains undetected by typical security measures. Once it infects a system, the malware targets data stored in popular web browsers like Brave, Edge, and Internet Explorer, extracting saved passwords, browser session data, and authentication tokens. Cybercriminals use this stolen information to gain unauthorized access to victims’ online accounts, potentially leading to financial fraud, identity theft, and further exploitation. The malware is primarily distributed through targeted phishing campaigns, often aimed at the cryptocurrency and fintech sectors, leveraging social engineering tactics to trick users into executing malicious files. Zhong Stealer’s ability to disable security logs and maintain persistence on infected systems makes it a severe threat, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity practices. Regular updates to software and operating systems, alongside the use of reputable antivirus tools, are crucial in mitigating the risks associated with such advanced threats.

How Zhong Stealer infected your system

Zhong Stealer primarily infects computers through targeted phishing campaigns, particularly aimed at sectors like cryptocurrency and fintech. Cybercriminals often impersonate customers on support platforms such as Zendesk, creating a facade of legitimacy to initiate contact with unsuspecting representatives. During these interactions, attackers typically attach a ZIP file purportedly containing screenshots or additional details, pressuring the recipient to open it. Once opened, the malware executes and embeds itself into the system, leveraging scripts to unhide files and grant execution permissions, thereby ensuring its persistence. Zhong Stealer evades detection by disabling logging and exploiting the system’s language settings to avoid certain regions, thus maintaining a stealthy presence. This methodical distribution process highlights the importance of vigilant email and attachment handling to prevent unauthorized access and subsequent data theft.

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

Remove Zhong Stealer manually

Manual removal of Zhong 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 Zhong 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 Zhong Stealer using Autoruns

Zhong 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 Zhong Stealer

Zhong Stealer files and folders


{randomname}.exe


Zhong Stealer registry keys


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Aliases of Zhong Stealer

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

Standard Windows protection or any decent third-party antivirus (Norton, Avast, Kaspersky) should be able to detect and remove Zhong Stealer. However, if you got infected with Zhong Stealer with existing and updated security software, you may consider changing it. To feel safe and protect your PC from Zhong 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:

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