You can get a ZeuS infection through a drive-by download from a malicious website or a hacked legitimate site. Clicking a link in an innocent-looking email can also open your system to attack. This past week, there was a surge of fake LinkedIn connection requests linked to ZeuS. While savvy users avoid clicking links from strangers, even links from friends can be dangerous, as a virus might have infected their system. But being cautious isn't enough.
You might think a Trojan or virus attack affects only your computer, but this is far from the truth. The threat known as ZeuS or ZBot is a tool used by an international cybercrime ring with a single goal: to steal your money. While several criminals were charged recently, many remain free, and the malicious code continues to spread.
To protect against all potential infection sources, you must install a security suite on any internet-connected computer. Because cybercriminals frequently release new ZeuS variants, you need a suite with antivirus protection that extends beyond known threats. Norton Internet Security 2011, with its statistical detection, is particularly effective against new variants.
If you access accounts with significant balances remotely, consider adding an extra layer of protection. SafeCentral 2.6 offers a secure browser isolated from other computer activities, allowing secure access to sensitive sites even on an infected system. Kaspersky Internet Security 2011's Safe Run for Websites feature offers similar protection and is an excellent overall security suite.
Not every computer in the world is infected with ZeuS, and yours might not be either. But do you feel lucky? Accessing your finances online without security protection is a risky gamble—you stand to gain nothing but risk losing your money. Protect yourself!
