How to remove ZeroCrumb Stealer

What is ZeroCrumb Stealer

ZeroCrumb Stealer is a newly emerged information-stealing malware written in C++, currently under active development and distributed by its authors via platforms like GitHub. Designed to extract and exfiltrate sensitive data from popular web browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Brave, it primarily targets internet cookies, browsing histories, login credentials, and other personal information. Its developers claim that ZeroCrumb can bypass Chrome Elevation Service protections and evade Microsoft Defender Antivirus, making it particularly stealthy and dangerous. Infection commonly occurs through phishing emails, malicious attachments, fake software cracks, and other deceptive distribution channels. Once active, ZeroCrumb operates silently, leaving few or no visible symptoms for users, which significantly increases the risk of undetected data theft and privacy breaches. Stolen information can be used for financial fraud, identity theft, or sold on underground markets. Given its ability to adapt and expand its feature set, ZeroCrumb poses a serious and evolving threat to both individual and organizational security. Immediate removal and robust preventative measures are strongly recommended to mitigate the risks associated with this malware.

How ZeroCrumb Stealer infected your system

ZeroCrumb Stealer infects computers primarily through methods commonly employed by cybercriminals to spread malware. One of the primary avenues for infection is via phishing and social engineering tactics, where the malware is disguised as or bundled with legitimate-looking files, often shared through email attachments, malicious online advertisements, or links. These files could be executables, compressed archives, or seemingly harmless documents, and merely opening them can trigger the infection. Additionally, ZeroCrumb might be distributed through untrustworthy download sources, such as freeware sites, peer-to-peer networks, or fake software updates, which often harbor malware. Some variants of ZeroCrumb can also self-propagate through local networks or via removable storage devices like USB drives, increasing the risk of widespread infection. To mitigate the risk, users should be vigilant about downloading files only from trusted sources, exercising caution with unsolicited emails and attachments, and maintaining robust antivirus protection.

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

Remove ZeroCrumb Stealer manually

Manual removal of ZeroCrumb 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 ZeroCrumb 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 ZeroCrumb Stealer using Autoruns

ZeroCrumb 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 ZeroCrumb Stealer

ZeroCrumb Stealer files and folders


{randomname}.exe


ZeroCrumb Stealer registry keys


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Aliases of ZeroCrumb Stealer

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

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